International Fares

[themuse1969]

Within the US and Canada, certain days of the week tend to have lower traffic volume, hence lower fares. Might this apply to international flights as well, i.e. LA-BKK, etc.?

[londonthai]

stay over weekend and book as much in advance as you can. You might check as well departures from the neighbouring airports

[Jimjim]

Yes, flights worldwide are cheaper usually departing Monday-Thursday, and as londonthai noted for a round trip staying one weekend results in a lower fare.

[rak sa_ngop]

Check out prices on different dates and days of the week on the airline internet booking sites.

[themuse1969]

stay over weekend and book as much in advance as you can. You might check as well departures from the neighbouring airports

Thank you. I'll be there for 2-3 months. I'll be in Chaiyaphum and Nong Bua Lamphu, and coming as a family guest. But, I'll certainly add you to my resource contact list.

Do you think it is too early to book a flight now? I thought there would be no advantage booking this early, and was thinking of waiting until early September. That would be a 6-7 week advance booking.

Cheers,

William

[lomatopo]

Within the US and Canada, certain days of the week tend to have lower traffic volume, hence lower fares. Might this apply to international flights as well, i.e. LA-BKK, etc.?

If you look at the "fare basis", a six-character code for the specific routing, you will see a "W" or an "X", "W" is for Weekend, Fri-Sun departures and "X" is for Mon-Thu departures. Weekend departures are typically less expensive, but not by so much on international itineraries; 5 ~ 7 % maximum in my experience.

[sbk]

United is always cheaper on Tue, Wed, or Thur.

[think_too_mut]

Yes, flights worldwide are cheaper usually departing Monday-Thursday, and as londonthai noted for a round trip staying one weekend results in a lower fare.

The weekend or dreaded "Saturday stay" is the cause, not a result: to prevent business travel on the cheap.

Edited July 16, 2007 by think_too_mut

[sbk]

One thing to note, girlx, I found through the United website that it is cheaper to fly out of Singapore to my usual US destination than Bangkok (Try $400 cheaper ). Oddly enough, when I was looking at tickets earlier this year, no such cheaper price out of Singapore existed (same site, same destination).

[londonthai]

if you know already you approximate travel dates than book your tickets now.

check the travel section of sunday magazines for the local travel agents - they might have some deals. At least they will tell you what airlines are the cheapest and than you can book directly on the airline site (easier to change dates if you have to).

there is a chance that some airlines will release some special offers about month before the date, but you will have to watch carefully their sites and spend hours/days doing so.

I thought there would be no advantage booking this early, and was thinking of waiting until early September. That would be a 6-7 week advance booking.

[themuse1969]

One thing to note, girlx, I found through the United website that it is cheaper to fly out of Singapore to my usual US destination than Bangkok (Try $400 cheaper ). Oddly enough, when I was looking at tickets earlier this year, no such cheaper price out of Singapore existed (same site, same destination).

Well....that's an interesting strategy. I'll investigate. These days, we are going to see less fare and schedule consistency than ever before as airline struggle to be competitive. Now, in the US, if domestic flights aren't sufficiently booked they are simply cancelled....I think right close to departure even. Hopefully, this hasn't infected international flights yet. And....uh.....I'm a guy, so what's with "girlx"?

[londonthai]

I'm a guy, so what's with "girlx"? [/color][/color]

spmebody confused you for another board user of that name