[ScoutOrgo]

I would disagree. I track on google flights 3+ months before I want to go and feel that I get a reasonable price every time. 3 months in advanced obviously doesn't work for everyone, but using google flights (or any other tracking site) to track will definitely help you get tickets at the right time.

[opportune]

Yep, google flights is especially useful because it makes it easy to observe the effects of arriving/departing a few days before or after you planned to. Another commenter in this thread mentioned that certain booking patterns (e.g. booking popular business routes over weekdays) result in higher prices and this is a great way to circumvent that.

Google flights isn't perfect though. You still need to check a more old-school aggregator (I prefer skyscanner) first before pulling the trigger, and of course Southwest as they aren't on any aggregators that I know of.

Checking out skiplagged is a good idea too because it shows you the hypothetical prices of booking legs of a trip a-la-carte rather than as a full ticket. This has the added risk of leaving you SoL if a connecting flight gets delayed/cancelled, causing you to miss a later flight on the same journey but different ticket. If you're careful to not book flights when you know there might be weather or time concerns, though, it can save you some money. For example, I wouldn't be concerned about flying a leg on ORD-LAX during the summer time with a 4 hour layover because that's unlikely to get cancelled/delayed, and if it is, you could get rerouted quickly. Airlines hate that this website exists which is at least adequate evidence that it can save you good money.

[jk2323]

I often buy flights ahead 6 months.

You know one great disadvantage? Emails! "Hey customer, your flight schedule has changed, please confirm!"