Advice please for DIY newbie

I've travelled a number of times from HR to New York -always through a Virgin Holidays package. Mainly due to laziness. However, as I begin to plan my next trip (March 2015) realise that I can book the same hotel and the same flight independently, for around £250 less than Virgin Holidays are quoting. So it's really a no brainer. My question though is this (please bear with me!).

I can book my hotel now direct with no upfront cost, but am unsure whether I need to book flights now. The fares currently being offered by VA expire 30 April (around £400 round trip). Can I risk waiting for a future sale or Virgin Club promotion and book later in the year - or should I jump at this price? I'm not familiar with the market. I'm not especially looking for anything cheaper, just don't want to have to commit (and pay!) this early if I can avoid it. Grateful for any advice please.

[Neil]

Hi and welcome.

Your question is one that is really hard to answer. The current sale fares are pretty decent, of course nobody knows if the next sale will be better or not.

I guess if your dates are fixed and you are happy with the price then go for it now and don't look back, if you are prepared to be a little flexible and comfortable if you do have to pay a bit more for the chance to maybe get it cheaper then wait and see as it is quite far in the future.

Welcome.

Have you thought about getting Virgin Holidays to match a price. If you can save that money booking direct there must be an agent who can and therefore it gives you a stab at price matching.

I always look at other sites, direct bookings and packages and play them off against each other.

I think its fair to assume that Y fares to NYC aren't going to be a lot cheaper than £400 so I would def book now so it's done and dusted .
Welcome to v-flyer by the way

Thanks to all for the suggestions - especially seeing if Virgin Holidays might price match, I'll definitely try that. My hesitation is not really about getting a better price for the flight (I think £400 is a good price) but whether I need to buy now when the seats have just been released.

I'm not really aware though how good a price it is. I'm a solo traveller ,so only need 1 seat. How likely is it to be able get a flight at a similar price, in say 3 months time? I know that no-one can really predict price and availability, but having not bought this way before, wondered what the "normal" lead time is?

Sherman, I think as a solo traveller, if you have flexibility then it's certainly easier for you to find something. However, none of us can say if you will find that something cheaper or more expensive.

My motto is, if it's a good deal, book it and NEVER look back.

Thanks Marshy - I think that's good advice. I'm probably overthinking things as usual! Anyway, following your last suggestion, I've e-mailed my local Virgin Holidays store and asked if they'll price match. If they won't I think I'll go ahead and book the flight. Thanks again. Oh - and what's a Y flight?

[Neil]

Y is the short name used to signify it's an Economy ticket/flight. It comes for the fare code most airlines use for their highest / most expensive economy tickets.

I would definitely jump at £400 rtn to JFK. I have family in New York and have been at least 10 times. Long gone are the days of £350 rtn sadly so it won't go much lower than £400 for a direct flight.

Sherman, I think as a solo traveller, if you have flexibility then it's certainly easier for you to find something. However, none of us can say if you will find that something cheaper or more expensive.

My motto is, if it's a good deal, book it and NEVER look back.

I totally agree with that motto.
I booked my flights for next year on the day the return ticket became available.
We love to plan ahea
d in this house.

Dick D

Followed the advice above and got a direct return flight for £336 + miles. Very happy! Thanks to everyone