USA multi centre flights

Rebecca01

I have been looking at cheap flights to the US through a European city then three stops in the states for August.

The flights are great prices at the minute six months in advance.

I know it's a bit of a stab in the dark but how long do they stay ' reasonable ' ?

A few sites say the best time to book is 56 days.

I would book now but I can't as I don't know the exact dates yet as my daughter is going away with her Dad and he will not know the exact dates until nearer the time.


Guess I think I may be outpriced the longer I leave it.
Any experience?

stevie11

Flight prices change regularly, once you know the exact dates and you are happy with the price get them booked. Factor in the added cost and time of the positioning flight and accommodation to the European airport.

Are the three flights in the US just stops to get from A-B or actual places you are visiting on your trip?

Rebecca01

Thanks.

Actual places we want to visit. The prices are so good right now. ie about 1.5k each for 6 flights inc the trans Atlantic.
I just will not know until maybe May and I worry the prices will be in their thousands by then.

Doshwaster

I'd be wary about putting all of your internal flights onto the same booking just in case your plans change. It can often be just as cheap to have the internal flights on separate A to B bookings and you'll have more flexibility including being able to use low cost carriers.

Rebecca01

Oh yes it would be all on separate bookings. This is with a range of carriers from Thomas Cook to United. I have just looked at all the cheapest options as of now.
Just think they will go up the longer I leave it. Aghhh

jpsartre

Rebecca01 wrote: »

I know it's a bit of a stab in the dark but how long do they stay ' reasonable ' ?

As long as the cheaper fare classes don't sell out. Have a look at prices 3 months from now (or roughly the time from when you'll finalise dates until you travel). That will give you some indication of prices. It's not a perfect method of course as prices may be generally higher in August than in May.

Avios can be good value for internal US flights as the fees are minimal and tickets are basically refundable. If you don't have any Avios points perhaps look at getting a creditcard with a signup bonus or convert Tesco vouchers.

Rebecca01

Thanks will look at Avios.

I hate not being able to plan.

Murphy_The_Cat

I've got a complex 8 flight holiday booked for July this year, starting from a european airport.
I booked it on the very day that the flights became available (335 days, if my memory is working) and since then the price has increased by 81%.
The downside is that the timing of some of the flights have altered, but nothing to upset my plans.
But for me, I was able to commit to the dates, for you, if you're unable to commit, you're going to lose the opportunity to lock in when you get a fare that is acceptable to you.
As a related aside, the price of the positioning flights have nearly doubled as well since I booked.

Happy hunting and good luck

Rebecca01

Thanks.
Guess the worst case scenario I just do one trip for 10 days and take the hit on the flight.

I think I will try once every couple of weeks and see how much it goes up. Just out of interest.

richardw

Rebecca01 wrote: »

...I think I will try once every couple of weeks and see how much it goes up. Just out of interest.

Why bother, the price changes could irritate you.

Wait until you know your daughter's dates and then just sort your holiday out.

Murphy_The_Cat

Rebecca01 wrote: »

I think I will try once every couple of weeks and see how much it goes up. Just out of interest.

Here's a Plan B for you.
Open a google account
Go to Google flights
making sure that you're logged into your google account
click on multi city
set your ideal itinerary
Once you've completed your ideal itinerary, click on track prices.
Now, when you log onto google flights, your itinerary will show, with the price bang up to date.

Now for the good bit :- you can retain multiple itineraries on google flights, so follow the same procedure as before and change departure/arrival airports, routes, and dates and save each one.
et voila, at you're fingertips, you've got ALL of your itineraries, across all of the dates, priced up in front of you.

A quick word to the wise.
If your prices link through to (say) Aer Lingus/BA/American/United etc, the prices are "live". If you see a travel agency company on their, check, check, then check again before parting with your money, as their prices may not be "live"

You can do a similar job with ITA matrix, Its not as user friendly, its not easy to book from ITA Matrix, but the detail you can access can be extremely useful