When to book?

[blackcat20]

Newbie here!

Im travelling to the US in August (Mel to LA), then home (NY to Mel) in September. Ive been watching airfares but so far they arent going down any ($2700 for QF). Any ideas when they might start coming down?

 

[Saab34]

Wow QF have really pushed up Pacific fares, cheapest is around $1400 to LA, whilst the other three are $1000-$1200 still.

 

[blackcat20]

Its just crazy, especially as V Australia are doing $1500 for the same trip. I'm interested in trying them, but Id prefer to come home via QF for the direct flight and bigger luggage allowance

I'm hoping itll come down in price over the next few months, but I dont want to leave it too late. I only want to fly one of those two airlines, not United or Delta.

 

[straitman]

Its just crazy, especially as V Australia are doing $1500 for the same trip. I'm interested in trying them, but Id prefer to come home via QF for the direct flight and bigger luggage allowance

I'm hoping itll come down in price over the next few months, but I dont want to leave it too late. I only want to fly one of those two airlines, not United or Delta.

Have you looked at two one way bookings? That can often be cheaper.

 

[blackcat20]

I assume Id have to do the return trip through the US QF site? Ill check it out, thanks

 

[straitman]

I assume Id have to do the return trip through the US QF site? Ill check it out, thanks

That is correct.

 

[blackcat20]

Had a quick look, and over $3k to do it that way. There were no seats available at sale price, only jetsaver. Still got 7 months till I travel so there is time to fare-watch.

 

[AdMEL]

I took similar flights on QF last July/August (MEL-SFO, SFO-JFK, JFK-MEL) and I think only booked it a couple of months prior - cost was ~$1,750 and was as low as $1,400 a couple of weeks prior to when I booked. I wouldn't necessarily expect QF to drop their prices as low this year, given improved economic conditions and shortage of capacity due to A380 issues, but would be inclined to wait until closer to the time when they should have more sale fares. I must qualify this by saying my experience is limited.

 

[harvyk]

I'd be keeping an eye on the prices over the next 7 months or so (I'll be doing the same, I'm planning another trip to the US around that time to) but IME prices don't really drop until a month or two out from the date.

It also certainlly helps if you can be a little flexible with dates, sometimes leaving \ getting back a day earlier or later will knock off $1000 from the price.

I think we still will see this level of discounting, but more to fill empty planes. If you need to travel on a specific date they'll still get you for the big $$$.

 

[blackcat20]

Unfotunately I do need to travel on a certain date, as Im doing an organised tour. 14 months ago, I got similar flights (Mel-LA-NY-LA-Mel) for just under $1300, and while I dont expect to get them that low, Im going for something close. Itll just be a matter of watching and waiting I think.

QF recently did a good sale for May/June (I think) where return was around $1000, so hopefully they do something similar soon for August/September.

 

[MelUser]

QF have no international sales in Economy or Premium - my only guess is that they have strong internatonal bookings so don't need to discount.

Now is time to discount as people are planning travel for 2011 and booking.