When's the best time to buy flights?

[Coadysmom]

We are doing the Sydney/Aukland cruise in January of 2009. We can't even see airfares until later this month (more than 330 days), but we're trying to figure out when is the best time to buy our tickets. Should we jump on the tickets first thing or wait until later in the year to get better airfare prices? Right now it looks as if airfare from DFW/SYD AKL/DFW is running around $2700 each. I know that January is the summer and vacation time in Australia, but am wondering if this is normal pricing for airfare this time of year?

Any help from experienced folks is appreciated.

[Johanna7]

Go to the Qantas web sites and the United ones and subscribe to their free newsletters. They will let you know when they have specials. You should do a lot better than $2,700, even in prime time.

 

GoWay travel has a website and they also have deals on airfare with the above airlines. Also worth it to check New Zealand Air. We often get offers for about $1500 plus you can get 3 flights in Australia included. That is Canadian funds. You could probably do better.

 

Also worth it to check expedia and other agencies. Remember, in order to catch the ship, you must leave 2 days ahead as it is 'toromorrow' there. They are 16 hours ahead of us in Sydney and 18 hours in Auckland. You will have a very long day on the return trip. A 42 hour day from Auckland for us.

 

Good Luck - start checking now and keep it up.

[M&A]

Check out Jetstars website - their flights originate from Honolulu but one way HNL to Sydney $319, $700 return with taxes.