For travel in Dec. or Nov., how early should the air tickets be purchased? I do not live on the coast and prefer Delta, but just want to get there and back.

Now would be a good time if it's near either Christmas or Thanksgiving. If you go with a travel agent or direct, you'll have to pay for the tickets now. If you book a package through a tour operator, you may be able to do so in installments...

Jake

Making a reservation through an agent in the past has meant paying by seven days before flight. If that is still so, make the reservations as soon as you can.