[Idyllchat] Planning airline ticket purchase – now or later?

[Ed Comer]

My wife and I have reserved an UnTour to Meiringen, Switzerland for 
two weeks in September/October, 2008. In planning the airfare my past 
experience with UnTours and other travel services is that their round 
trip airfare from the Southeastern United States to Europe averages 
in the $800-$950 neighborhood. I plan on obtaining my own air travel 
so that I will have better control over the route and airline, etc.

My dilemma is when to make the purchase. I can purchase tickets today 
from Asheville, NC or Greenville, SC to Zurich via Atlanta (oddly 
Atlanta to Zurich costs more than using it as a stop) for $919 
including all taxes and fees. This price is, in my opinion, 
comparable to what UnTours would charge me if I purchased the airfare 
from them. I am satisfied with this price, carrier and route but what 
I cannot decide is if should wait to closer to the travel date, 
hoping for a sale while simultaneously risking a price increase. 
Consequentially, I am currently sitting on the fence. I would love to 
read the opinions of others.