1. As a travel coordinator with 6 + years experience, if you are going during the holiday travel season, the best way to get a good fare is to book now with a travel agent and put a deposit down. You lock in your rates for your flights and can pay on the total normally up to 60 days out before travel.

   If you need a car or hotel just have them book the package, if you need air only have them book a throw away minimum car. You do not have to pick it up.

   If you are not traveling during the holidays then I would say you are ok to wait, but DON'T wait if you are traveling during the holidays. The flights are already getting booked up.

2. Already have my air held from Seattle to Maui Thanksgiving week for $600 a ticket… If I waited it would be close to a Grand!
3. book very far in advance. be careful…be very careful…lots of scams out there.
4. if you cant get a good rate you can try orbits there good most of the time.December rates are high because threes whale watching on Maui
5. The cheapest way is to book on airlines web-site directly. All other travel agents web-site (such as expedia, travelocity, orbitz etc) will have additional booking fee.

   Most of the major airlines grantutee lowest airfare rate. Check their web-sites for detail. Here are some major airlines fly from mainland to Hawaii:
   www.hawaiianair.com (some west coast destinations)
   www.alohaairlines.com (some west coast destinations)
   www.delta.com
   www.aa.com
   www.united.com
   www.northwest.com
   www.contintental.com

   Here are some local airlines that fly inter-islands. They offered some great rates to travel from one island to another. Like $29 one way plus tax & fee per person.
   www.hawaiianair.com
   www.alohaairlines.com
   www.iflygo.com
   www.pacificwings.com

6. On a plane?

   Just kidding……all of the major airlines will have winter fares to Hawaii come December. Your best bet would be to wait until September or October and then check a site like travelocity and see who's having specials. Airlines like United, Hawaiian, and Aloha will normally have cheap fares and most of the other major carriers will have specials too.

   Good luck and happy hunting!

Tags: hawaii volcano, hawaii beach