Lua error in Module:Link at line 366: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

  Airfare Booking Strategies

If the price for your ticket drops after you make your reservation, you may be able to save money by rebooking your tickets.

When you can take advantage of price drops

Since most airfares are non-changeable and non-refundable, it may seem impossible to take advantage of any price drops. That is mostly true.  However, there are still times where you have an opportunity to improve your pricing by rebooking.

• Southwest Airlines. You can always rebook Southwest airlines flights if a lower price becomes available. Refund webpage.
• JetBlue. If your ticket drops in price, you can get a refund of the difference during the first 5 days after you buy (and not for Basic Blue tickets). You'll need to call.
• United. According to View From The Wing and other bloggers, United has an unofficial policy where you can receive a credit for fare drops during the first 30 days (minus a $50 processing fee); and it may be possible to have the fee waived or extend the eligibility window.
• Alaska MVP Gold and JetBlue Mosaic members. One of the benefits of elite status with a Alaska and JetBlue is the ability to cancel or change flights with no penalty fees. If you are entitled to this benefit, it is always worthwhile to track your ticket prices, and rebook if prices drop.
• Decreases that are larger than the change fees. If the price of your airplane tickets drops significantly, it may make sense to rebook, even if you need to pay a $75-200 rebooking fee. For example, if you purchased a $1,000 international airfare ticket and the price drops to $700, you could still save $100 even after accounting for a $200 change fee.
• Within the first 24 hours. For most flights that leaves from a US airport, and for many other flights booked on travel booking flights, there is a free 24-hour cancellation window. If you find a lower price, on the same or different flight, within the first 24 hours, you can book the new tickets and cancel your existing reservation.

Tracking fare changes

The best way to find out about price drops is to set up price alerts with one or more of the best flight search tools, like Google Flights, Momondo, and Skyscanner. These alert systems are primarily designed to let you know about price drops on trips you are thinking of taking, but they can also be used to let you know about price drops on flights you've already booked.

So that you aren't distracted by notifications about other flights, try to set the flight alert is the most restrictive way possible. Limit it to the airline and time-of-day of the flight you booked.

Save Money on Business and First-Class Seats

Use Airfare Prediction Tools to Determine the Right Time to Buy Airline Tickets

TravelStrategies:*Airfare Price Drops/Page