Book flights on release?

em_z

Hi all
I want to book flights for two people with multiple stopovers in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland for December 2015-Jan 2016. I know most of the main carriers allow this. Am I best to book my flights as soon as they are released in a couple of months, or wait until they been released for a while? Obviously I want to get the lowest price possible. I'm not loyal to a particular company, and just want to go with whoever sells me the tickets for the lowest price. Thanks

jpsartre

Usually the cheapest tickets aren't released straight away but there's no hard and fast rule. What I'd do is to look at prices now for December 2014. Then you'll have an idea about what prices for next year will look like 3 months out and you can compare that with prices for next year when seats are released.

em_z

Didn't even think of doing that, thanks. Will have a look!

Alan_Bowen

If you are travelling over the Christmas period there will be few if any bargains, sometimes travelling on Christmas Day, assuming you can get to the airport because there is no public transport and if you have to stay overnight in a hotel, you lose the benefit, can be cheaper. Make no mistake the decent fares for OZ are gone by Easter, you are then left with the airlines no one else wants, China Eastern, Royal Brunei and those who require you to change three times. Last Christmas due to sudden death we needed to buy seats to Sydney for a funeral on the 23rd December, the published economy fares were well above £2000, we saved a little by a mixture of Virgin Australia and Etihad but for departures from December 10 onwards, the sky is the limit

em_z

We're planning on leaving around 12 Dec, so might just be lucky...

blindman

em_z wrote: »

We're planning on leaving around 12 Dec, so might just be lucky...

You may well be on the the edge of dates when the prices go up for Xmas

Exactly when are you returning, as any time in Jan could be expensive.

Leaving from Ex UK (AMS) to AUS can be a tax\money saving plan if you can organise cheap connecting flights-You have to weigh up the hassle over $avings.

BTW
When we did this we travelled from AUK on 31st Dec and had a 23hr layover in SYD-
Got to see the NYE fireworks with minimal fuss over travelling.:T

em_z

Latest we can come back is Jan 10th. I know these are not the best dates for money saving, but we are limited as to when we can go. I'm trying to work out how to get the best savings for those dates. Haven't thought of leaving from AMS, will have to check prices. Thanks.

Alan_Bowen

12th December with your return date is the peak of peak fare season, the good airlines can sell the seats twice over. Just to give you an idea of what you are facing, booking today departing 12 Dec this year to Sydney and returning 10 Jan 2015 from Auckland, so not including fares between Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland the cheapest fare is with Malaysia Airlines ( no surprise there) at £1575, Singapore Airlines is £2200 and Emirates with one stop in Dubai is already over £4000, there are cheaper fares if you stop more often but you really don't need additional stops if you need to visit three cities in less than a month.

I am afraid you should book in February next year if you want the cheapest fare, wait and you will pay a lot more

em_z

Thank you. Why do you say February in particular?

Caz3121

the seats are released 11 months out so you will not be able to buy the January return flight till 11 months before (Feb)

em_z

Right, ok. I've heard flight costs tend drop a week or so after initial release? Is this the case, does anyone know?