When To Book?

[waveydavey]

I'm planning on a return trip from the UK to BKK next March. Usually I'd book my flights around 2-3 months in advance but I've noticed that at the moment Jet airways are offering £533 for next March which seems a pretty good price.

What I wanted to know is if I booked this now, a full 9 months before travelling, would this price be guaranteed or could they come along and add a fuel surcharge or another extra charge a couple of months before I fly?

I know Jet aren't everyone's cup of tea but I've used them several times in the past and had no complaints.

[robert121]

I don’t think there will be additional charge later on after booking. That’s the use of booking early that you get cheaper deal. But I am not that sure about it.

[wileycoyote]

You will have to pay the full balance,not justs a deposit so that the airline can ticket.

However it will guarantee the fare,which is good as they is another European tax being introduced in Spring 2012 ,on Greenhouse Gas emissions.

RGds

Wiley Coyote

[lomatopo]

Once you have paid and the ticket is issued there would be no further charges. If they add a fuel surcharge later then you would not have to pay it. However, if you were to change the ticket in such a way that required a re-issue, and a fuel surcharge had been instituted, then you would have to pay it.

I always recommend that you purchase a ticket when you are sure of your travel dates, and when the price represents a value to YOU.

As always, read all the terms and conditions of the fare before you purchase.

Just to further clarify, a booking is generally considered to be a reservation which has not yet been ticketed. Some airlines will hold a booking for a temporary time period ( typically 24 - 72 hours ), and the price is guaranteed, except for currency fluctuations in the hold period. A ticket is issued when payment is cleared and then the reservation is confirmed.

[Cameron38]

Don't worry about the 8 months. I regularly book my flights to Thailand from Los Angeles as soon as they are available (usually 11 months out). If I don't, I won't be able to get a mileage upgrade to Business Class due to the limited amount of business class upgrades available (seems to be just a couple of seats per flight). They can't charge you more. They only risk is that the price goes down or the baht weakens after you buy them.