Best Time to Book Flights for December 2021?

harryaus on 10/10/2021 - 07:29
Last edited 10/10/2021 - 15:19 by 1 other user

Hi guys, I need to travel overseas for my marriage in December. I was going to get married in April last year but due to Covid-19 I couldn't travel, my and my fiancé (overseas) are waiting since then. So, it is a great news for both of us that now borders are opening next month. Most probably I would like to fly on 17th or 18th Dec. Need your views on flight bookings and prices.

1) If I book flights now and couldn't travel, will I be getting a full refund or not? Last time I booked the flight for March 2020 got the full refund, but I am not sure about that now?

2) Should I wait for next month to get a better prices on flights or book right now ($1100 one way)?

Poll Options

  • 33
    Buy right now, prices only gonna go up
  • 0
    Wait for 10 - 15 days, prices might go down
  • 4
    Wait for November, more flight announcements might result in price drop
  • 12
    Wait for last minute deals (book in December)
Travel Airfare

Comments

  • NotAnAudiophile on 10/10/2021 - 07:45
    +5

    Tbh I would reconsider travel. You could find yourself locked out.

    • Platinumtelecom on 10/10/2021 - 08:04
      +10

      It’s unlikely at this stage that we will see any border closures. The government wouldn’t just open the border if it wasn’t for the long term. Now that we are vaccinated, they have to re-open

      • NotAnAudiophile on 10/10/2021 - 10:47
        +1

        They do, but they never said it would be cheap (or viable) to return home. Right now, there are 45k people stuck overseas in front of you in the queue.

      • pokedude449 on 12/10/2021 - 17:30

        At the very least I imagine they would wait until after the next election (ie May most likely)

    • harryaus on 10/10/2021 - 08:45
      +2

      I was thinking the same, but frankly now I have waited for so long, I am considering being locked out is not a bad option, if I get WFH overseas.
      Which I think my boss wouldn't mind as we have worked from home for last 1.5 years.

      • bdl on 10/10/2021 - 12:49
        +1

        Check with your boss now, given time difference between SL and Aus. If your boss is fine with it then you can act quickly purchasing flights when the time is right, if you're boss isn't fine with it then you may have to make a contigency plan.

  • Platinumtelecom on 10/10/2021 - 08:06

    You can book a flexible ticket with Qantas. In case of cancellation, you will get a credit.

    For December I’d say book now, you may find that flights are full if you wait too long

    • harryaus on 10/10/2021 - 08:46

      Are flexible tickets really costly these days?

      • eutama on 10/10/2021 - 20:13
        +1

        In actual fact, all tickets are all flexible these days… you can always reschedule, but not always getting a refund.

  • capslock on 10/10/2021 - 08:37
    +1

    If there was a nonstop flight from Australia to the country that you are going to then I would book now.

    If you have to transit via another country then I would wait until there is confirmation that you are allowed to transit that country.

    It's hard to know when the cheapest time to buy is because this has never happened before.

    • harryaus on 10/10/2021 - 08:48

      Unfortunately, I am getting flights with 3 stops
      (Brisbane, Singapore and then sri lanka) I am not sure if I should get that flight?

      • MrHyde on 10/10/2021 - 15:48
        +2

        If you are from VIC or NSW; you may not be able to get onto the first flight to Brisbane itself - let along Singapore or Sri Lanka.

        Best to book now but direct Sydney to Singapore or Melbourne to Singapore instead (even if it costs most).

        The less stop overs the better - less chance of being stuck in stopover.

        • eutama on 10/10/2021 - 20:11
          +2

          ^^This is so true. You need to remember that Brisbane airport domestic <-> international is on different buildings requiring transfers. So, they may not let you fly to Brisbane at all. Also, you havent specified if you are using different carriers/ airline or just one airline. If different airlines, check with the airlines, will they interline? will they transfer your luggage in singapore? are you 100% sure that arrangement still exist? Even if you might bring no luggage, you need to check whether Changi Airport will let you transfer. TL:DR, it is a lot of work and stress!
          So, if you can get the direct flight from Melbourne to Colombo for ~1k (I can see many of these in December), i'd take that rather than flying via other destinations.

          • harryaus on 11/10/2021 - 03:43

            @eutama: Melb - bris- Singapore (Qantas)
            Sing - clombo - delhi (sri lankan airlines, sold by Qantas)

            Now i have discovered that even i might face problems at Singapore Airport as they might not allow me to travel to Sri lanka or India.
            Thanks for your reply

        • harryaus on 11/10/2021 - 16:33

          Yeah you are right, earlier i was not considering the fact that i could be stuck in transit, as I researched online, it will be difficult to change airline at Singapore and that too for Si lanka and India, it will be kind of not possible

  • SF3 on 10/10/2021 - 09:13
    +2

    Could be stressful, Good luck 🤞

  • JimmyF on 10/10/2021 - 09:49
    +2

    If I book flights now and couldn't travel, will I be getting a full refund or not?

    Depends on your ticket of choice……. Look at the T&Cs

  • deme on 10/10/2021 - 12:33
    -1

    Yesterday

  • ryban3z on 10/10/2021 - 22:00
    +1

    You can book MEL-CMB direct in December - there's a weekly Sri Lankan Airlines flight.

    It's dirt cheap if you're booking with Qantas points/Classic Flight rewards.

  • harryaus on 10/10/2021 - 22:51

    Sorry guys, I meant by three stops is MEL - Brisbane - Singapore - Sri lanka - Delhi (I am getting this flight for $1072). I am traveling from Mel - Del for which I dont have any direct flight option for my dates

    • eutama on 10/10/2021 - 23:17
      +2

      so why not take melbourne srilanka delhi? there is not much restrictions for Sri lanka at the moment which means easier for you to enter and take any onwards foight after arriving Sri Lanka. it is a much better option then adding extra stops via Brisbane/Singapore etc

  • Raulioli8810 on 11/10/2021 - 08:42

    Just wait until after cup day when the spread will be enormous. Then you'll have a good idea what will happen.

  • Myone888 on 11/10/2021 - 09:48

    Vic Govt Should open up Australian returnees, arrival caps from 25% back to 50%. At the moment with low volume passengers the air tickets are exhorbitant priced and we can’t afford it. These lockdowns is costing us a lot money as well.

  • Waltervp on 11/10/2021 - 09:53

    Future is hard to predict. I really want to go to Europe in January and will book as soon as i have a definite date. But despite my small pensioner budget I will just fly Qantas for now as I'm a club member and can hopefully stay out of crowded areas (smaller perceived covid risk… despite travelling to foreign countries is really asking for covid exposure!!) and use clubs facilities etc. and hopefully have the most amicable flexible conditions. The trouble getting refunds and changing tickets through multiple airlines and private travel companies or foreign airlines seems too risky. So paying 30-50% more seems a good idea right now as I cannot afford to lose my money. Now is not the time to save on airfares. There may well be a huge rush or there may be cancellations. I predict fares will only go up from now on.

    • harryaus on 11/10/2021 - 16:30

      Thanks for your advice, I'll keep this mind. 👌

  • jrvb42 on 11/10/2021 - 15:03
    +1

    If you look at Israel, they had a huge spike shortly after the false hope given by the double dose. I wouldn't be booking any travel until the border is actually open, and then I'd book last minute. Definitely wouldn't be planning anything important with the Muppets currently in charge. Things can, have and probably will change at a moment's notice.
    Escape Australia by all means, but don't expect to come back when you wish.

  • OzHunterNSW on 12/10/2021 - 11:07

    Where? Why? You have to be fully vaccinated, show proof, of covid free wishing last 72 Hours, wear a mask for the entire duration, quarantine at destination paying extra for just a room, everyone looking at you as the prime courier of covid, then return wearing a mask 9+ hours on plane, then if not motel quarantine, home quarantine with cops knocking on your door every day for 14 days. Why?

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