I've been trying to buy a ticket for sometime this month to Tokyo from the Northwest U.S. region (to connect to Bkk later) and the prices seem to fluctuate randomly. Several website said to buy the ticket from midnight to 1 am on Wednesday, but I noticed no difference last night. The tickets 6 weeks + in advance all seem to be $1000 +, the ones within the next 10 days are like $600, and the dates I want, 12 days from now, are $900 !!! This is insane! Do I just wait until closer to my date when the airlines become desperate? I really want the $600 ticket, if I'm gonna pay more than that I'll just be depressed and there's no difference in my mind between $800 and $1000.... I'm using Kayak with comparisons to Vayama.

Wait and watch. Sign up to Kayak email alerts. Likely that there will be quite a few cancelled reservations creeping into the system due to problems in Bangkok.

As a long-time traveller, Kayak can help you - but generally speaking, use Sky Scanner and book as early as you know firm travel dates.

If your travel dates are flexible (lucky you!), ask Sky Scanner for the MONTH's prices - either as a graph or calendar form. Sometimes travelling one or two days earlier or later than your intended date can save you hundreds of dollars.

Peter

Try making two different bookings US-Japan return & then Japan Thailand return Trips without layovers built in are always cheaper. JAL are in Chapter 11 at the moment so they may have some decent deals to just fill the seats. Bangkok Airways have started serving Japan, Not sure if they serve Tokyo but I have seen Osaka & Hiroshima advertised on the BTS for as little as ฿6,000 One way.

Edited April 9, 201016 yr by Stjohnm

Also try a local agent that specializes in travel to Asia. I have gotten some great deals this way...one was from Seattle. They usually advertise in the local paper...but especially in the Thai or Japanese ones that you find in the local stores.

Having done this trip many, many, many times over the years...I have found every once in a while you can get a better deal if you wait. But most often, I ended up paying more. If you see a good deal, grab it! There are many websites to help you find cheap tickets. Try every one...you never know what you will find.

I did a trip over here (Thailand) a few years ago with a 2 week layover in Japan. Got the ticket via an agent that specializes in Thai flights. They are based in LA. It was only $200 more for the layover vs. direct. Much cheaper than getting 2 tickets...at least at that time....Star Tours 800-974-1067

Here are some other sites worth looking at:

http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/04...s-are-the-best/

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/20...-frugal-way/?em

Good luck!

Your local TRAVEL Shops will often have better deals; they get faxes often with special offers, also now many also have websites so you do not have to go into the shop yourself every few days. In the past travelled a lot, mostly the Travel shop had the best deal..

Last month went to Australia from Thailand, the best deal by far was from a local travel shop, direct flight with a major airline.

Looked for Hotels, many websites, many offering 40 – 70% discounts, others offering guarantied cheapest deals, Many said Hotel full on my days. I found one I liked and in the area I wanted, I emailed the hotel direct, surprise surprise booking direct with the hotel was cheaper than all the other options, and yes they had rooms free.

Look for many things.. what exchange rate are they giving you? Do you have to pay extra from using you Credit card, pay extra for this and that.. it all adds up