Anybody have a crystal ball?

[himynameisjan]

Bluespicker and I have our apartment rented for Feb., and I have been watching airfare for about a month. When I first started watching we could get a non stop flight for $390. Two days ago it was up to $487 and today... $688. I am used to paying around $350. I can't decide what to do, pull the trigger and buy, or wait and hope it comes down. From what I hear on the news, prices are only going to get higher. Fewer people are going to fly and they are going to reduce flights instead of prices. What would you do?

[absoluteAL]

All that I know is that Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is looking for the Crystal Skull in his new movie. Not sure if the Crystal Skull has crystal ball(s).

[mastequilapf]

Watching flight prices is like gambling.

[Shammy]

Don't go by the seats you see available when you look online. Airlines block off the exit rows and the front rows for departure day check in/handicapped, etc. They'll also show more seats occupied than there really are at any given time. What you see available online is not a true indication of how many seats are actually left!

[Stormin]

I am in the same boat. I have reserved rooms at the Mimi del Mar for February and have been watching the airfare. You are correct when you state that the prices for Northwest have jumped over $200 in a couple days. Unbelievable. Airfare typically fluctuates a lot. Just not this much at once. I am planning on waiting. Two reasons. I think that these prices are extremely high and while they might go higher, I wouldn't think they could go much higher. Who will buy the tickets? I also think that these high fuel prices will take a toll on tickets sold. Many people will just stay home. February is a long way off. I might consider booking my air if the price goes back to the $400-460 range again. I think it will. There is so much speculation in these fuel prices, it is ridiculous. Remember that Minneapolis wheat was trading at over $22 per bushel last February. Now it is around $8 per bushel.

Just a thought. Usually when people think that the markets can only go one way, that is when the speculative bubble bursts. It is estimated that 50-60% of the oil price increase is due to speculation. Supply-demand estimates point that the oil price should really be around $60 per barrel or so.

January 2009 we get rid of our oilman President. I look for oil prices to subside some by then. Or after Bush has gone home to his village in Texas.

[Stormin]

I told my wife what had happened to ticket prices the other day. She said well if it is that expensive, we might just have to stay home. I told her that if she felt that way, she could stay home. But I would probably bite the bullet and pay the price. That I could cheapen up the airfare because I would only have to pay for food and drink for just me instead of both of us. That didn't go over real well. She said if I am going, she is going. Probably only take one trip this winter.

[ADOLFO SOTO]

Originally Posted by Stormin

I told my wife what had happened to ticket prices the other day. She said well if it is that expensive, we might just have to stay home. I told her that if she felt that way, she could stay home. But I would probably bite the bullet and pay the price. That I could cheapen up the airfare because I would only have to pay for food and drink for just me instead of both of us. That didn't go over real well. She said if I am going, she is going. Probably only take one trip this winter.

You are my heroe.

[roxie]

I don't have an answer for you, but from Houston, tickets are around $600 or more. We are coming down next month. Think we will use our miles instead of buying tickets. My husband is a pilot for Delta, however the flights are pretty full. How can all these people afford to fly? If we nonrev, hubby and 17mo old son will fly down on Friday, and I will come on Saturday. Not sure about flights going the other way.
I checked Austin and Dallas, no cheaper. Anyone know of any cheap airlines out of Houston, Dallas or Austin ?

[Lil G]

Originally Posted by Stormin

I told my wife what had happened to ticket prices the other day. She said well if it is that expensive, we might just have to stay home. I told her that if she felt that way, she could stay home. But I would probably bite the bullet and pay the price. That I could cheapen up the airfare because I would only have to pay for food and drink for just me instead of both of us. That didn't go over real well. She said if I am going, she is going. Probably only take one trip this winter.

[mexisv]

We're in the same boat. Have our apartment for the entire month of Feb, plane tickets are expensive. But the way I look at it, we won't be driving and using any fuel here during that month, might as well spend it on tickets to paradise!

[StephenB]

For the halibut, I just checked availability and prices for mid December on jet Blue from Syracuse N.Y to Cun. $149.00 plus taxes each way if you have flexible dates. Pretty good, but who knows if they'll still be in business then?????

[Doggiemom]

Originally Posted by roxie

I don't have an answer for you, but from Houston, tickets are around $600 or more. We are coming down next month. Think we will use our miles instead of buying tickets. My husband is a pilot for Delta, however the flights are pretty full. How can all these people afford to fly? If we nonrev, hubby and 17mo old son will fly down on Friday, and I will come on Saturday. Not sure about flights going the other way.
I checked Austin and Dallas, no cheaper. Anyone know of any cheap airlines out of Houston, Dallas or Austin ?

For it being low season (I just traveled to/from IAH-CUN last week) the flights were full, I too non-rev......boggles the mind......

[Kimber60445]

A couple weeks ago, I purchased airfare from Chicago to Cancun direct on American for $336 per ticket including taxes! I was thrilled with the price and glad I said let's ticket ASAP as now the airfare is $650! YIKES.
I think now..if you see a decent airfare, you need to grab it versus waiting for it to be lower as it seems they get ridiciously high!
Kim

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by himynameisjan

Bluespicker and I have our apartment rented for Feb., and I have been watching airfare for about a month. When I first started watching we could get a non stop flight for $390. Two days ago it was up to $487 and today... $688. I am used to paying around $350. I can't decide what to do, pull the trigger and buy, or wait and hope it comes down. From what I hear on the news, prices are only going to get higher. Fewer people are going to fly and they are going to reduce flights instead of prices. What would you do?

I do not have a crystal ball - too fragile!

Instead, I have one of these:



If you want one of your own, dial 1-800-NUTICLES. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors!

[himynameisjan]

I've been told mine are titanium

Originally Posted by StewartG

I do not have a crystal ball - too fragile!

Instead, I have one of these:



If you want one of your own, dial 1-800-NUTICLES. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors!