Best Month To Avoid Air Fare Hikes

BillysBride · 10-29-2007, 06:36 PM

We had a date, but have been worried about the whole spring break craze affecting the air fare prices. We're not worried about the hotel, its not popular amongst those crowds being in Tulum, but I am still trying to think of my family and friends and getting the best possible rates for them for that time of year.

Because we are planning for '09, things are still pretty flexible, but we need to decide on a concrete date asap. From March-May, which month will we likely get the best rates on flights?

Christine · 10-29-2007, 06:39 PM

I have no idea, but I know most airlines only book out about 10 months.

foxytv · 10-29-2007, 06:40 PM

Easter is in March in 2008, so avoid that weekend.

In April, avoid Passover. Our wedding falls right on Passover, which we didn't have a clue, and our TA says that's why airfares are higher for that time. So, just avoid any general or religious holidays when planning.

EDITING TO ADD: Sorry, just realized your date is in 2009 -- but still be aware of when the holidays fall and avoid traveling then!

TA Jennifer · 10-29-2007, 07:36 PM

Hey BillysBride-

End of April, early May will be your best prices on airfare & hotel. I've booked alot of families for spring break ( Mid February - mid April ) to Riviera Maya & Tulum- they want Mexico but not the craziness of Cancun so before then even the resorts are fairly pricey.

Hope that helps the planning!

TA Jennifer

BillysBride · 10-29-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Jennifer

Hey Foxytv-

End of April, early May will be your best prices on airfare & hotel. I've booked alot of families for spring break ( Mid February - mid April ) to Riviera Maya & Tulum- they want Mexico but not the craziness of Cancun so before then even the resorts are fairly pricey.

Hope that helps the planning!

TA Jennifer

Hey, Jennifer. It was me wanting the info:), and YES that definitely helps. We knew going in that we wouldn't be able to book til about about a 10-12 months prior, but have just been trying to figure out what date to set the wedding for that would be near our original date, but outside the spring break hike zone. Looks like we nailed it the first time out with 4/25/09!! Woo hoo!

Thanks ladies!

JABride · 10-29-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxytv

Easter is in March in 2008, so avoid that weekend.

In April, avoid Passover. Our wedding falls right on Passover, which we didn't have a clue, and our TA says that's why airfares are higher for that time. So, just avoid any general or religious holidays when planning.

EDITING TO ADD: Sorry, just realized your date is in 2009 -- but still be aware of when the holidays fall and avoid traveling then!

I tried to plan my date carefully and did not realize it was PASSOVER !!! I am getting married April 19 as well. From my researches, usually prices are highest between December 15 and April 15 (high season), then I saw that easter was in march in 2008 and most spring breakers travel in march (mid april would be the tail end of spring break) ... then I researched rainfalls statistics (yup, i am one heck of an anal girl!!) and between April and May, April had less rainfall days on average in the caribbeans ...then hurricane season starts in June ... I did not want to have my wedding during hurricane season ... then, some of my friends are in college or teach college and did not want to have my wedding too close to the exams which are usually the first couple of weeks of may ... man oh man, I thought I was good with my date ... totally overlooked other holidays such as passover ...

I guess you can lookup the wedding date you choose on the net to make sure it is not falling on one holiday or popular day ...something I did not think about doing even with all my "analysis" ....

TA Jennifer · 10-30-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillysBride

Hey, Jennifer. It was me wanting the info:), and YES that definitely helps. We knew going in that we wouldn't be able to book til about about a 10-12 months prior, but have just been trying to figure out what date to set the wedding for that would be near our original date, but outside the spring break hike zone. Looks like we nailed it the first time out with 4/25/09!! Woo hoo!

Thanks ladies!

oops-sorry about that! I guess I need to limit my posting to hours when I am fully awake :)!

carly · 10-30-2007, 07:04 AM

I had wanted to get married in February, but my TA convinced me that May had better rates. I don't know if it's true going ot Tulum from Illinois as well, but I am sure your TA (or perhaps Tammy - host) can give you better guidance.

Tlseege · 10-30-2007, 08:26 AM

I checked the rates for my resort on Locogringo. They typically will post the months and the rates that correspond. By looking at that I saw that March 24th was when the rates dropped for 08. It was April 9 in 07. Meaning it corresponds with Easter. Easter 2009 is Sunday April 12th.

Hope that helps!

Oh, and I wouldn't FIRMLY set a date until you book it with the resort. I had to switch my date.

foxytv · 10-30-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABride

I tried to plan my date carefully and did not realize it was PASSOVER !!! I am getting married April 19 as well. From my researches, usually prices are highest between December 15 and April 15 (high season), then I saw that easter was in march in 2008 and most spring breakers travel in march (mid april would be the tail end of spring break) ... then I researched rainfalls statistics (yup, i am one heck of an anal girl!!) and between April and May, April had less rainfall days on average in the caribbeans ...then hurricane season starts in June ... I did not want to have my wedding during hurricane season ... then, some of my friends are in college or teach college and did not want to have my wedding too close to the exams which are usually the first couple of weeks of may ... man oh man, I thought I was good with my date ... totally overlooked other holidays such as passover ...

I guess you can lookup the wedding date you choose on the net to make sure it is not falling on one holiday or popular day ...something I did not think about doing even with all my "analysis" ....

I know exactly what you mean! Passover threw us for a loop when my TA told us we were traveling during a holiday time.

I was like -- no we're not -- I checked and Eater is in March .. blah blah blah.

I didn't have an inkling of a clue about Passover.