Planning January Trip Nyc-Bkk, When Do Fares Go Down Post Holidays?

[TukTukDodger]

We are planning a trip for January(a little over 2 weeks) and wonder when is the best time to fly? Tentatively we are planning Jan 9-Jan 25 but can be flexible - want to spend some time at Chutachak so want to be in BKK over 2 weekends. We won't be able to buy our tickets until mid-October - hope the fares don't jump before then. Best prices I am coming up with now on Kayak is around 12-1300USD.

[el jefe]

I only fly Cathay Pacific JFK-BKK so I can't answer as to other airlines' pricing. On CX fares go down on Monday 7 January. But on CX you won't get a fare under $1300 in January.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

When checking out the air fare cost, also check the baggage allowance. Seems like most U.S. air carriers have gone to just ONE checked bag for free, and up to $100 for #2, United, I think. Boo.

Perhaps choose a foreign carrier with two checked bags for free, each up to 50 pounds/23 kg.

Oh, I do long for the days of yore when we got two bags at 70# each!

Mac

[craigt3365]

Lots of info here:

[lomatopo]

The transition from Peak to High (a decrease) season usually occurs on the first or second Monday after Jan. 1.

I see DL fares for $1,219 all in, UA (EWR) for $1,295, 2 weeks departing on/after Jan. 9. You should purchase tickets when the price represents a fair value to you. These low-priced fare buckets sell out, and YQ (fuel surcharges) may increase. Why do you have to wait until October to purchase? Do you care which airlines you fly (status, preference, FFP miles, etc.)? Do you care about schedules, layovers, departure/arrival times?

New York (JFK) to Bangkok (BKK) - Mon, Jan 14

New York (JFK) to Tokyo (NRT) - Mon, Jan 14

Delta 173 Dep: 12:40PM Arr: 4:50PM 14h 10m Boeing 747 Economy (T)

Layover in NRT Tue, Jan 15 1h 30m

Tokyo (NRT) to Bangkok (BKK) - Tue, Jan 15

Delta 283 Dep: 6:20PM Arr: 11:55PM 7h 35m Airbus A330 Economy (T)

Bangkok (BKK) to New York (JFK) - Tue, Jan 29

Bangkok (BKK) to Tokyo (NRT) - Tue, Jan 29

Delta 284 Dep: 5:55AM Arr: 1:50PM 5h 55m Airbus A330 Economy (T)

Layover in NRT 1h 10m

Tokyo (NRT) to New York (JFK) - Tue, Jan 29

Delta 172 Dep: 3:00PM Arr: 1:45PM 12h 45m Boeing 747 Economy (T)

Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $1,218.90

Total cost for 1 passenger $1,218.90

How to buy this ticket

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Fare 1: Carrier DL TLX0ZP12 NYC to BKK (rules)

Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code T

Covers JFK-NRT (Economy), NRT-BKK (Economy)

$325.00

Fare 2: Carrier DL TLX0ZP12 BKK to NYC (rules)

Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code T

Covers BKK-NRT (Economy), NRT-JFK (Economy)

$325.00

Japan International Passenger Facility Charge (SW) $26.00

Passenger Security Service Charge (OI) $12.60

DL YR surcharge (YR) $450.00

US International Departure Tax (US) $16.70

US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50

US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50

USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00

US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00

US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50

US International Arrival Tax (US) $16.70

Thailand Passenger Service Charge (TS) $22.40

Subtotal per passenger $1,218.90

Number of passengers x1

TOTAL AIRFARE & TAXES $1,218.90

This ticket is non-refundable.

Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.

Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)

NYC DL X/TYO DL BKK M 325.00TLX0ZP12 DL X/TYO DL NYC M 325.00TLX0ZP12 NUC 650.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 5.50YC 7.00XY 5.00XA 33.40US 2.50AY 12.60OI 26.00SW 22.40TS 450.00YR 4.50XF JFK4.50

[TukTukDodger]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Hopefully we can buy our tickets sooner but funds are tight so that is why I am thinking mid-Oct for purchase - not sure if we will have enough saved up before then. I would rather not fly Air China unless it has improved since I flew to Beijing in '05(no personal entertainment system in coach, only kung <deleted> movies shown on an overhead screen, blah food), otherwise will fly with whatever airline offers the best deal, ideally with only one stopover, total flight time not more than 21 hours or so. We are pretty flexible as far as arrival/departure. The baggage situation sucks since we are planning on doing a fair bit of shopping. I flew Qatar to Nepal from the US last year and free baggage allowance was 2 checked bags, 23kg each. I recall we had one extra bag coming back and it was around $100. Will check before booking for sure.