Best Time for Airfare

We are traveling to Paris for the 1st time in October, actually the first time to Europe! A friend, who has traveled to Europe many times, has suggested we wait to purchase our tickets until after Sept. 1. He says prices will go down then. What is your experience in this? Should we wait or should we book ASAP? I have already noticed an increase of almost $100USD in the last week. Thanks!

amb

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%26lt;%26lt;A friend, who has traveled to Europe many times, has suggested we wait to purchase our tickets until after Sept. 1. He says prices will go down then.%26gt;%26gt;

The days of last minute air fare bargains are long gone. The fares are more likely to go up, and up, than down between now and then. These days, the airlines are more likely to cancel flights than reduce fares in their struggle with skyrocketing fuel costs.

And, recent %26quot;as low as%26quot; sales typically do not correspond with convenient departure/return dates (too close together, too far apart). But, you can test this for yourself on the Air France web site with their alleged %26quot;early bird fares for September and October%26quot;.

If you are serious about going in October, it%26#39;s probably best to watch fares, and shop like the dickens, but not for too much longer, just long enough to know a reasonable fare when you see it.

Meanwhile, you would want to ensure that your hotel accommodations are secure so all the best possibilities aren%26#39;t unavailable by the time you%26#39;ve booked your plane tickets.

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djk is dead on. The rules for vacation travel have been almost completely re-written recently. The only other thing you might do is watch for fall sales. I have to think that, at some point, there will be some sales to motivate a stagnant market.

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I definitly agree that is hard to buy cheap close to the date of travel. I purchased tickets for a trip in December back in February. Within a few weeks of buying the tickets prices had gone up by at least 100. Now the ticket I paid 520 for is going for over $1000. EEK!

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