We just got our tickets yesterday for flying to France in May. However, we are using frequent flier miles and we have to do that quickly as there is a limited number of seats.

When will prices change? That always depends upon the rate at which seats are selling out for different routes. It's like trying to win the lottery to figure out when airlines will put tickets on sale unless you know it's seasonal. For example, from here, we can count on winter flights to Europe to drop below $400. However, after May 15th, they will be hard to find for less than $1,000.

May 15th seems to be the magic date when the airlines consider the "summer season" to start up and flights to sell out. If you are flying before May 15th, you might get a better deal in January. However, if you are flying after May 15th, it's less likely the fares will drop much. Don't hold me to this as there just aren't any guarantees!

There can be a big difference on the DAY of the week that you choose for flying. For business locations (like NYC, Chicago, etc.) the weekday prices will be high due to business fliers and lower on weekends. To vacation areas, Tuesday and Wednesday will be cheaper than flying on weekends.

We use the linked site to get a big picture of the prices, but we always end up going directly to the airline to purchase tickets.

Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: compare tickets

When you feel comfortable with an airfare, grab it. You will drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out and there is no real consumer reason for an airline to reduce airfares, they do it when they need cash or to match one of the discount carriers.

Domestic air ticket pricing cannot be compared to international pricing. There are definitive seasons to international travel, those do not exist on domestic fares. Winter travel to Europe is cheap, tickets are usually under $300 to London or Paris in winter (other than holidays) or what they deem the low season. That fare goes to $450-500 during shoulder season and climbs to over $800 during the peak season. The actual dates of each season vary from year to year and some fares carry blackouts for holiday travel or during special events.

by may it's off season in orlando but fares going to indy and chicago go up. we fly mostly to chicago midway and occassionally to indy, my sis is in zionsville. we always go between late may-june before hurricane season kicks up and fares going up that way are higher then if we waited till fall. i only fly southwest, infact recently paid $400 more to take a flight w/ less than 24 hrs notice to stay w/ SW. you can purchase tickets thru them and if prices go lower call customer service and they will adjust the price. i had a friend go last may to midway and called 4 times after she bought tickets to get her price adjusted lower. we typically pay $175-200 per person to midway and unless it's an emergency (last flight $1200) and i buy 2-4 weeks ahead.
~ liz

In addition to keeping an eye on prices at the airlines directly, you might also sign up with Airfare Watchdog. They send out an email about once a week of fares from your local airport. I haven't ever tested out to see whether I could get a lower price elsewhere; haven't actually had a chance to go anywhere since I signed up for their emails!

Here is a link that might be useful: Airfare Watchdog

Just saw an expert explaining fares on TV last week. Cheaper fares are available on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays as a rule. 2-3 months out will be the best prices. If you wait till the date is upon you, the prices will be higher as business travelers tend to book at the last minute and don't worry about the company's costs. He also had another cheap price theory; in part he explained that you can often beat Southwest or Jet Blue with major carriers, but I did not understand the explanation of how to find those fares.

Just a word of warning, fares are not cheaper on Saturdays in all markets but it is in many of them, particularly business travel markets. Many airlines have equalized airfares no matter what day of the week you choose to fly, however ticket availability may be limited. Most people start their vacation on Saturday, that is the busiest arrival day for Orlando airport.

Thanks everyone for your input!

We'll be leaving Indianapolis on a Sunday and flying home on a Friday. Unfortunately for us, that's RACING month in Indianapolis. I think the flight down to Orlando will be fine. It's flying back on a Friday that's going to cost more because everyone will be coming in to town for race events.

Our days aren't really negotiable because we are using our Disney Vacation Club points, and we don't have enough points this year to stay on a weekend night (Friday or Saturday). DH only gets two weeks of vacation, and the second week includes Memorial Day, and we definitely don't want to travel then.

I'll keep an eye out on prices. You guys had great ideas!