I plan to travel to New Orleans next spring, when is the optimal time to book?
Sometimes booking early (at the earliest possible time 300+ days before travel) can be cheap, but in my expereince the rates show no real variance day by day or by time this far out.
If we wait till the last minute you can get good deals, but on the other hand prices often tend to go up.
Is there an optimal time to buy tickets?
Early not always guarantees cheaper. Next year is too far ahead, and sure you can book, but sometimes it is better to monitor the prices for some time. Last minute deals are usually more expensive than those that are offered 3-5 weeks before leaving. Farecast is good website for such information.
Here is a video that shows how and when prices drop or go up:
http://blog.lessno.com/archives/186
Tags: Ahead, Air Tickets, blog, Buy Tickets, Expereince, Farecast, Good Deals, Last Minute Deals, New Orleans, Optimal Time, Optimum Time, travel, Variance
You should book at least 14 days in advance. Every so often the airlines have a promotion on airfare to certain cities. But going to New Orleans in the spring, especially during Mardi Gras I doubt you will get anything really cheap since lots of people will want to be going there. If you wait until the last minute, there may not be seats available.
I would suggest you look up airfare to New Orleans for when you want to go but also look at alternative airports such as Baton Rouge or any airports nearby where you live. Sometimes it is cheaper to fly out of or into another airport.
References :
Early not always guarantees cheaper. Next year is too far ahead, and sure you can book, but sometimes it is better to monitor the prices for some time. Last minute deals are usually more expensive than those that are offered 3-5 weeks before leaving. Farecast is good website for such information.
Here is a video that shows how and when prices drop or go up:
http://blog.lessno.com/archives/186
References :