www.CostaRicaTicas.com

With the price of oil shoving up air fares I noticed a change in pricing of tickets, at least leaving from MSP. Before this year the best time to buy was about 60 days before departure( my observations and advice I read form travel agents and sites), give or take a few days, before that prices were higher and after that prices seemed to rise daily by a few dollars, and some times just by hitting the back button the price would rise, then around 10 days prices drop big( trying to fill the plane), the sky rocket 2 or 3 days before( figure you have to go and pay any price). But now I have seen a different trend, in that the cheapest are closer, and then rise to a level around 90 days, and after that a huge jump they then seem to be priced at the same as when oil was 150/barrel . What I did was make a graph with the prices using the following basis, 1) leave from MSP 2) going to SLO/BKK/MNL- 3) using the cheapest reasonable flight/time 4) priced 10 days, 30 days, 60, days, 90 days and March 17-2008 leave times-my next trip for sure 5) leaving on a Thursday. 6) are never any special fares from MSP going these places so I do not have that option. 7) no holidays weeks And what I found prices about 30 days out are the cheapest and then raising--- I have does this over the last three months in the first week of the month… and have seen the same thing… I think the airlines are hedging there fares based on maxim oil prices of last summer for long term ticket sales to keep from getting burned on any price raise. If this holds keeps holding true, I may hold off on buying my tickets until 30 days from leave time.
Disclaimer—your observations may vary, because of different departing airports and other factors- So I offer this in that you may want to track a few fares by months and possibly save a save some money, which of course I am sure you would donate to relieve poverty one young lady at time, but some time’s two at a time.

I've heard that most airlines will refund the difference if the price drops since you bought your ticket.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Its true. I have yet to see an airfare to Asia get cheaper in time, other then ridiculous sell offs like 2 weeks out, but they tend to sell you an odd restricted economy class thus you can not apply and "fare matching" clause.

In my experiences, the best fares have came from the "montly specials". I have only paid over 1000$ once to my knowledge.

JJCastro wrote:


Some will or at least they used to. Continental for one won't, however they will change your ticket to the new price minus a $100 change fee, which of course you would only do if the new price was more than $100 cheaper.

However, Orbitz is trying something new. If you buy your ticket from them on any airline and somebody subsequently purchases the same itinerary from them (same flight, same day, time, class of service) at a lower price they will send you a refund for the difference.

Thanks Srilm! That explains why the prices always seem less when you shop on Wednesday or Thursday. I always found that to be true but did not know why.

Orbitz on Delta for today only...This is the cheapest that I have seen thus far other than the Spirit Air special.

Let me tell you my story. I too thought that prices would be lower if you buy your ticket early.
I bought a ticket to Costa Rica from San Francisco on Continental for $625 on Sept. 2, 2008.
On Sept 12 I was looking at fares again and saw the same flight was now $425.
The agreement when I bought my ticket from Continental is that any change or cancellation I make on a international flight will cost me $200. On US flights it is $100.
So I am stuck with my old ticket.
I will be in CR on Oct 14, 2008.

_________________
Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

I got one from SJO to Sacramento about 45 days out and it was $715. Ouch! Glad I didn't have to pay.

Just booked a flight on AA for $380 from LAX to SJO.
Now I have to make all the other reservations, maybe costs are slidding south in chica land!!
Looking forward - be there from Oct.9 to Oct.15
Duessel