Trying to Predict Airline prices.. HELP

[lewmel]

Hey everyone,
I would like your opinions on the price of airfare. I am planning on going to Maui next summer. (July or August 2009 )
Two years ago I paid 450 per person for coach, but now tickets are almost 800 per person.
With my TS ownership I can exchange points for airfare, and only have until July 31st to use my 2008 points to get a ticket certificate from American Airlines. The certificate is good for one year with 7 days advance notice. Using the points it ends up costing me 642.00 per ticket. (thats the cost of the MF for the points and the processing fee)
Would you wait until next year and see if prices go back to normal, or would you suck it up and pay the 642.00 using the points?
Thanks

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by lewmel

Hey everyone,
I would like your opinions on the price of airfare. I am planning on going to Maui next summer. (July or August 2009 )
Two years ago I paid 450 per person for coach, but now tickets are almost 800 per person.
With my TS ownership I can exchange points for airfare, and only have until July 31st to use my 2008 points to get a ticket certificate from American Airlines. The certificate is good for one year with 7 days advance notice. Using the points it ends up costing me 642.00 per ticket. (thats the cost of the MF for the points and the processing fee)
Would you wait until next year and see if prices go back to normal, or would you suck it up and pay the 642.00 using the points?
Thanks

I think you need to make that decision. Sounds like you're a DRI member, maybe, can't remember. If you don't have a better use for those points, then it's great. I don't think you're going to see any downward trend in fares, you might get lucky, are you playing PowerBall, too?

[lewmel]

Yes I am a DRI club member. and no Powerball

[Dave M]

I'm not familiar with the DRI points for tix program. When you say "7 days advance notice", do you mean you can't make reservations more than 7 days in advance? If so, I wouldn't gamble.

The airlines have announced severe cutbacks in scheduling. Expect them to continue cutting back until all planes are so full that they can raise prices to a level that might generate a profit. So don't expect empty seats to be available a week in advance.

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by Dave M

I'm not familiar with the DRI points for tix program. When you say "7 days advance notice", do you mean you can't make reservations more than 7 days in advance? If so, I wouldn't gamble.

The airlines have announced severe cutbacks in scheduling. Expect them to continue cutting back until all planes are so full that they can raise prices to a level that might generate a profit. So don't expect empty seats to be available a week in advance.

It's at least a 7day advance, and although I've not done it, I expect it's vouchers for 'V' class inventory.

[lewmel]

Originally Posted by JoeMid

It's at least a 7day advance, and although I've not done it, I expect it's vouchers for 'V' class inventory.

The telephone rep said they were regular coach class tickets and all i would have to do is call American airlines with the voucher number and book a real ticket.
2 people will be traveling and I dont want to spend any unnecessary money. 642 a ticket doesnt seem too bad, considering they are almost 800 at cheap tickets. But with gas prices changing everyday, I dont want to waste 400 dollars if they go back to 450 per person

[susan1738]

Last year, we paid $750 per flight, and I thought that was outrageous! But I also really wanted to go to Hawaii . . . REALLY BAD!!!

All I can think right now is that flights are just going to go up and up, so I'd take the $642, and run with it.

[Pit]

If the alternative is to let the points expire, then the choice is obvious. Get the certificate(s). Expired points are worthless, and you are out the MF either way.

[lewmel]

I can roll over the points to next year, so they will not expire. But to use points for a flight, it has to be done by July 31st to use the 2008 points i have left.

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by lewmel

The telephone rep said they were regular coach class tickets and all i would have to do is call American airlines with the voucher number and book a real ticket.
2 people will be traveling and I dont want to spend any unnecessary money. 642 a ticket doesnt seem too bad, considering they are almost 800 at cheap tickets. But with gas prices changing everyday, I dont want to waste 400 dollars if they go back to 450 per person

I would bet the rep doesn't have any earthly idea what the restrictions on the voucher are, there are many fare classifications within "regular coach class." Love to see one when you get it!

[MULTIZ321]

Also see this previous Tug Thread re links that give you previous airfare trends


Richard