yellowchef

60 days domestic and 90 to 120 days international are the best times to start looking.. if you are flying from the US I know continental and I believe American Airlines have a promise that their online fare is cheaper than any other fare you find. I dont know all the details but keeping that in mind can help too... I know 60 to 120 days seems like a lot but working with people in the travel industry they have given me all kinds of insight and tips. Also check out how much a refundable ticket would be... domestic travel isnt so bad if you're bumped from a flight, miss a flight... whatever.. but travelling internationally its a big deal. If you miss your flight in the states or Canada it could very well cost you an arm and a leg to be rebooked or rerouted. Most airlines domestically charge $100 if you miss your flight to reseat you on a later flight and if they cant get you out they charge you a difference in price to reroute you which can cost you several hundred or even thousands of dollars domestically.(and if youre travelling with a group doing standby could split you up and cost you time) So I can only imagine international flights. Its not a bad time to start looking... most sites offer price watching so you can enroll in that. Also check the price on refundable tickets... we all say "nothing will happen to me" but if you book them refundable most times reseating charges are waived and if anything happens causing you to miss your flight.... I mean anything(within reason and within their stated contract so "I was late doing my hair" does not count, though most times they dont ask) they have to reseat you or refund your fare.

Also Charlatan is very right, Europe is a hot spot in the summer... good weather... lots to do and many Americans are off for their breaks... so tickets will be expensive, dont be shocked if your ticket costs over $1000. Also remeber that Europe is pretty easily travelled by rail so do as Charlatan suggests and look into different cities.. rail passes arent that expensive for unlimited trips(ok they seem outrageous but you're getting unlimited use) so its worth checking out.

Also if you're going to be there a while dont be afraid to go see a travel agent, they may charge a nominal fee but if its a group of you going(more than 2 or 3) they can help ensure the smoothest trip possible, they can notify the airlines of seating arrangements, that you are travelling together, often they may be able to work out hotel arrangements and such. Even if you dont book with them they may be able to offer some help.

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the voices in your head are not real--but they still have some really great ideas.

always remeber you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But..you CAN choose the insane asylum where you have them all put away!