How to book a flight a year ahead

[AlpenCrazy]

We want to book BA flights for next summer. BA only release tickets 355 days in advance, which means if we want to go 1-15 August next year we can book the outward on 10 August this year but the return two weeks later on 24 August.

Flights at the cheaper price I think will go fast as they only fly there twice a week.

What to do? Book outward flights on 10 August and hope for best on 24th? Wait until 24th so can book outward and return? What do you do in this situation?

Are you using Companion Vouchers?
I book the outbound leg online then ring at 6am 355 days before for the return.

No not using any vouchers. So you think book the outward without being able to book the return until 2 weeks later?

Can I not book the return online 2 weeks later? We will be in Mexico then so I'd rather not call.

Honestly op, I'd wait until you can book the return, there'll be plenty of seats and the price won't change much.
But definitely do a price comparison before booking direct with BA.
Also check when the next BA sale is?

Hmm. I'm checking July at the moment and some dates for 2020 the price is already double....!

BA the only airline that fly direct

Don't want to change as with DC will be a PITA

I would also wait until you can book both ways, I doubt there will be a massive price difference.

getupgetoutside interested re the companion voucher, I just got my first one recently and it came earlier than expected. I ended up booking first class to New York as there was reasonable availability on that but there was virtually no availability at a convenient date on other routes I wanted (and only have 365 days to book and use). So can you book the outward leg as a single and then add the return on and your companion voucher is also valid for the return? Thanks.

Have you looked at the price of a single vs a return? Often a single isnt much cheaper than a return, so you may find booking seperatly a very expensive way of going about it.
Honestly, I'd wait til the return flights are released, and then book it in one go.

Where ar3 you flying to OP.?

We saved £1,000 by having a two hour stop in Paris on the way to Cuba a couple of years ago. Worth considering, depending on the age of your children.

@Kittekats, I'm not an expert but I've often booked the outbound then rung for the return.
If there are no reward seats left you can get a refund, possible with a small admin fee.
@AlpenCrazy, are you flying to Cancun? I doubt you'll get much of a deal in the school holidays but regardless I'd wait until you can book both legs and use a comparison website.

Ba launch at full rate then discount periodically. They want people who are as keen as you to book at higher prices before they tempt others. Summer though is always high.

It's to Costa Rica. (San Jose)

Doesn't seem to be a good deal for return, it's priced by leg. So one way anything from £260-550.

I'd look at other airlines.

I'd be waiting until you can book both legs. Then be open to a change of plan somewhere in North America if the BA flights are too expensive price wise. A transfer in Newark or somewhere might not be ideal, but is it a price worth paying if you save $$$?

A decision only you can make!

I've just had a look, wow they are expensive
Reckon I'd still wait until you can book the return, at those prices they're unlikely to sell out quickly.
It looks like Iberia via Madrid is a lot cheaper but heck of a long journey.

Thanks guys I think the via USA might be a plan.

If we stopped in NYC for a couple of nights is it the same price does anyone know ? Or do you have to connect straight away?

Dont need to connect straight away. Book as Multi stop.
So, 1 Aug London - Newark
4 Aug, Newark - San Jose
15 Aug San Jose - London.

Cool thanks. So if I do that it won't cost it up per leg but rather as a return to San Jose?

That's how it's worked for us in the past - done it a couple of times, but only going East.

It seems that if I try eg June 2020 in Skyscanner the cheapest is BA direct, but if I go via say EWR it's £350 odd more per person.

Also can't see a cheaper option with Iberia or anyone else. Looks around £500 return direct w BA.

I’d wait till bearer Christmas. Once the reductions kick in.

We ended up booking our holiday this this year in May for July. Flight prices where the same as if we’d booked last summer. Admittedly slightly more direct flight options

Use dial a flight. They will keep changing your return date to get the best price

We have booked to go to Costa Rica next year but have ended up booking to go over May half term for various reasons. The flights over Easter were a lot more expensive (double the price) and accommodation was more expensive. Because we wanted to maximise our time there and BA only fly on Saturday and Wednesday direct we are going with Air France via Paris which means we can go on Friday and back on the Sunday, it does add a couple of hours to the journey but the flights are at good times, they cost just under £500 per person including checked luggage.

The usual BA price is about £1000 per person but they do have sales occasionally which make it cheaper but I’m not sure you’d get that sale price over the summer holidays, at the moment it’s £443 over May half term as part of their sale, but it’s £1000 over this summer, Christmas and Easter.

I would keep a very close eye on the dates in the school summer holidays leading up to the dates you want to go and see what they are costing to help make your decision, often it can be significantly cheaper including a stopover and it does give you more flexibility on days you can travel. It’s worth noting that Tui also fly direct to Liberia in Costa Rica on a Monday.

2cats that's so helpful thank you!

We can't go in May because of GCSEs so ef are stuck w summer.

I think I'll wait until the return leg is bookable and see what our options are from there.

2catsand2kids yep that is what we did to Cuba, Air France via Paris. So much cheaper and hardly any extra hassle.