Is there a reason flights get more expensive the closer you get?

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

Like, I know this is the case, I'm just wondering if there is a particular reason.

I know that with hotels, you can get deals and stuff if they look like they aren't gonna be able to sell the room, because they wanna just make what they can off of it. And a lot of different things with business, they'd rather just sell the product and salvage something off of it than to just let it go to waste. Is there a reason why with airplane flights, it's the opposite, where the longer you wait the more expensive it gets?

 

[Erzengel]

I got tickets to Florida a little over a week before I traveled. I waited another day and it went up a couple of dollars. I paid $450 for round trip for 2 people to Florida. I think that was pretty decent for a week before.

Looking online, it's almost a 50/50 split of those who advocate waiting as opposed to getting it months in advance.

My guess is either, the Airlines are banking on people who need to make plans last minute, OR they haven't sold enough tickets so they are looking to make up the money?

 

[Kane52630]

it really boils down to the gas prices. Different areas have different prices because of how near they are to a oil-gas production

 

[Erzengel]

I'm lucky I live kinda in between Newark, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. So we've been flying out of Philly often because ticket prices are just cheaper there.

 

[Hound55]

it really boils down to the gas prices. Different areas have different prices because of how near they are to a oil-gas production

He's talking calendar time "closer", not geographically "closer".

I say stop asking questions start scalping tickets...


*THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE*

 

[Maximum Carnage]

I hate flight costs! I'm stuck in South Florida 'cause of it. I'd love to travel.

 

[SuperFerret]

I've always figured it was a supply & demand sort of thing. The earlier you book your flight, the more seats are available, thus a lower price. The later you do it, the more you're competing with others to fill the flight.

 

[kane9321]

i took a flight to virigina/dc a few weeks ago the flight was $560, i waited a week to see if it was going to be cheaper...and it was $450..sweet deal

 

[Figs]

It's probably because it makes it easier on them not having to book someone at the last minute the day or night off. They are basically rewarding those customers who make it easier on them. Hell, even Amazon gives discounts on books and movies if you preorder them before release.

 

[Scourge2099]

That's why you should always travel by car or train instead of by plane.

 

[Erzengel]

Have you seen train tickets? It's sometimes even more expensive than flying. Not to mention, that the time you waste in just traveling.

Driving, you are putting wear and tear on your car and the cost of fuel to and from isn't exactly cheap either.

 

[Scourge2099]

Have you seen train tickets? It's sometimes even more expensive than flying. Not to mention, that the time you waste in just traveling.

Driving, you are putting wear and tear on your car and the cost of fuel to and from isn't exactly cheap either.

The car is worth it because of all the hookers and hobos you can kill along the way. The train is good if you travel in a boxcar with the hobos and kill them to. It's all about the dead hobos and hookers my friend.

 

[Figs]

Have you seen train tickets? It's sometimes even more expensive than flying. Not to mention, that the time you waste in just traveling.

Driving, you are putting wear and tear on your car and the cost of fuel to and from isn't exactly cheap either.

Exactly. Not to mention it just all around sucks having to drive that far or even be stuck in a car for a long period of time whether you're driving or not.

 

[Erzengel]

I had to drive from NJ to Florida a couple of times. It's okay when you have someone with you but in the end if you are a 9-5er and only get 2 - 3 weeks a year off. Why would you want to waste 2 days (roundtrip) in a car.

If I had 2 months off a year, I'd consider it.