So my dad and I are headed to Zim in July of this year. We were about to buy tickets for our flights to JoBerg, and they were about 3,200 round trip.

My wife books international travel for her missions team at work, and said that if we wait until 45 days before the trip, the prices are much cheaper. We looked 45 days out from today and the same tickets were $1,400 and there were still plenty of seats (aisle and window).

I am on a somewhat tight budget for this trip, and saving 1-2K is significant for me. We have some ability to move our trip a day or two either way as well according to our PH.

So my question is, how far out do others buy airline tickets from the states to JoBerg?

I book my flights basically as soon as I know I am going. At least I know what I am getting.

The opposite of what you say is possible as well- they can get busy and prices can go up.

There is also the possibility that there will be no seats or no good seats if you delay.

In essence, if you have a lot of leeway, and you are watching availability you might save by doing what you suggest- but there is always the chance you might get stuck with a big increase because the airline figures only people who HAVE to be on that plane at that point are booking and take it or leave it...

I always bout mine 4-5 months ahead. basically, as soon as the airline opened up for purchase.

Rob,

I do the same as Dr. Butler for the same reasons but I don't have an in house travel agent either.

Mark

The longer you wait the less likely you are able to get a decent seat - Preferred Comfort (Delta) or a bulkhead seat with legroom. You also risk the flight being sold out - which happens regularly during the busy season.

Otherwise, you can save a few buck at times if you wait. Of course you could save a 100% if you can't get a seat.

I use to book tickets up to 10-12 months in advance.

After getting screwed by United time and time again (once changing their flight so I would have connection time of only 15 mins on the return trip of an international flight landing in LAX), I stopped booking them so far in advance.

For my September Zim trip, I went ahead and booked a couple of days ago, but I will be flying Delta, not United, so hopefully, I won't get screwed by flight changes.

If you really want to get the best advice on air travel, you might want to go to elliott.org. It is a travel forum run by the travel editor of some big magazine (I forget which). They can help you with the best time frame and best day to get the statistically best price.

To me more important then price, on a hunting trip were you will be taking firearms, is the locations and times of your connecting flights. I would rather spend another $300.00 per person, that book a flight through Dubai or some weird place where you have trouble getting your guns through.

Good luck.

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:
So my dad and I are headed to Zim in July of this year. We were about to buy tickets for our flights to JoBerg, and they were about 3,200 round trip.

My wife books international travel for her missions team at work, and said that if we wait until 45 days before the trip, the prices are much cheaper. We looked 45 days out from today and the same tickets were $1,400 and there were still plenty of seats (aisle and window).

I am on a somewhat tight budget for this trip, and saving 1-2K is significant for me. We have some ability to move our trip a day or two either way as well according to our PH.

So my question is, how far out do others buy airline tickets from the states to JoBerg?

Is that $3,200 for both of you?

Have not checked today, but yesterday Delta was showing 3,200 per person from Seattle to JoBerg in late July, and for a similar trip 45 days out, the exact same flights were $1,400... Both had asile and Window seats available.

I am thinking that for 1,800 difference, I will keep an eye on this and if I see seats being sucked up for my July trip, I will bite the bullet. Even then, I might be willing to take a middle seat for 1,800 bucks!

I looked on Expedia for July...just picked the 1st for a departure date...Seattle to Joberg and it was as low as $1620 round trip for one person.

I usually book 10 to 11 months out.

quote:

Originally posted by Opus1:
The longer you wait the less likely you are able to get a decent seat - Preferred Comfort (Delta) or a bulkhead seat with legroom. You also risk the flight being sold out - which happens regularly during the busy season.

Otherwise, you can save a few buck at times if you wait. Of course you could save a 100% if you can't get a seat.

Agree 100%. Comfort (Delta comfort + on the bulkhead), and peace of mind are worth whatever price differences there may be. I've had my tickets purchased for August Dallas-JNB-WDH for a couple of months now.

quote:

Originally posted by AK145:
I looked on Expedia for July...just picked the 1st for a departure date...Seattle to Joberg and it was as low as $1620 round trip for one person.

I think those transfer through Amsterdam. I did not want to mess with firearms in Amsterdam and wanted to go direct to JoBerg.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:
Have not checked today, but yesterday Delta was showing 3,200 per person from Seattle to JoBerg in late July, and for a similar trip 45 days out, the exact same flights were $1,400... Both had asile and Window seats available.

I am thinking that for 1,800 difference, I will keep an eye on this and if I see seats being sucked up for my July trip, I will bite the bullet. Even then, I might be willing to take a middle seat for 1,800 bucks!

"for a similar trip 45 days out"

Different season, different demand.
Apples and oranges.



Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:

quote:

Originally posted by AK145:
I looked on Expedia for July...just picked the 1st for a departure date...Seattle to Joberg and it was as low as $1620 round trip for one person.

I think those transfer through Amsterdam. I did not want to mess with firearms in Amsterdam and wanted to go direct to JoBerg.

Seattle...Dubai...Joberg

The wife and I went to RSA last August. We booked our flight from Atlanta on Delta in March and there were very few seats left at that time. The flight was over booked and they were asking people to take a bump. Our agent at AAA said it was the migration season and the flights were always filled early. It may have cost more but at least we were on the airplane when it took off.

Usually the cheaper flights take a lot longer to get there.

Rob try Air Emirates They go from Seattle to Dubai to Harare . If you are taking fire arms think about using Travel With Guns costs about $120. more but you do not have to worry about your gun permit.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob H:
So my dad and I are headed to Zim in July of this year. We were about to buy tickets for our flights to JoBerg, and they were about 3,200 round trip.

My wife books international travel for her missions team at work, and said that if we wait until 45 days before the trip, the prices are much cheaper. We looked 45 days out from today and the same tickets were $1,400 and there were still plenty of seats (aisle and window).

I am on a somewhat tight budget for this trip, and saving 1-2K is significant for me. We have some ability to move our trip a day or two either way as well according to our PH.

So my question is, how far out do others buy airline tickets from the states to JoBerg?

Flying Delta, we buy ours as soon as they are open, usually about 330 days prior to departure. It's worth buying early (or using air miles) to get the seats we want.

You have to spend time looking. I purchased three direct round trip flights last year for 800 from NY to Johannesburg. The year before from Atlanta to Vic. Falls for 1400. You can find deals but it takes a good amount of time. Ready for the day when I can say the hell with it and fly first class every time. The long flight is one thing that is not in the brochure. I do not know how these people that are overweight handle the flight on economy. I barely fit and I am 6'1" tall and weigh 205.