When to book airline tickets?

[truesmile]

Problem is, if it's the same as before, their change fee is "per person" unless you have a ticket that allows changes and typically the third party fare-sellers aren't selling you that type of ticket. Last time I asked, change fee for an overseas calibre of ticket like that was $200, and then TIMES 3 (for your situation - YIKES), PLUS difference in fare. In other words, don't buy a ticket in advance to "save money", unless you have a realistic goal (date) in mind, coz you're gonna end up paying the price for the date you need, "when" you know you need it. Anyway, bulkhead seats are easy to get, they're $100 premium (each on Air Canada) and I figure people in general are too cheap to buy them so they're almost always available - I love those seats!

 

[steaky]

We would fly Cathay, but they are about CAD$1,250 more expensive. It doesn't make sense to spend the extra money. AC will allow us to bring 1 checked bag per adult, plus 1 checked bag for our son (same rules as an adult). We are only bringing two large suitcases and my golf clubs. We are also allowed to bring his stroller and he gets one carry on bag. We are not taking a lot of stuff, just our clothes, computers, iphones, and some other small items.

Don't book with expedia. CAD$1,250 more expensive means expedia is overpriced. Try ctrip.com. We just booked a flight through ctrip for my father-in-law who would be visiting us next week. Cathay is just about 800 Chinese Yuan more expensive than AC in HKG-Toronto route, but one would be entitled two free baggages and one-time departure change. It's a better deal than AC.

 

[Fencesitter]

Good tip, steaky. I never even thought of ctrip.

I'll ask my wife to check it out.

Thanks to all who replied...you guys are right...I should wait until confirmation...

FS