Used to be, booking airfare online with one of the legacy carriers meant a “booking bonus”; usually, extra frequent flier miles.

But, according to Ben Mutzabaugh in USA Today, those bonuses are going the way of the T-Rex. Today is the last day United will be doing that; the only remaining bonus-giver of the big-6 is American, and who knows how long they’ll continue.

What’s going on? Hint: it’s got to do with money (what else?). Click “more” and I’ll explain.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released their airfare data for the third-quarter of 2007.

BTS notes that the 3rd quarter 2007 has the highest average airfares since the third-quarter of 2006, .8% higher than the latest averages.

Remember this is the quarter that didn’t include the huge run up in fuel costs — Q4 2007 (not reported yet) which had about 10 airfare increases.

The average third-quarter airfare for domestic travel was $328 (business and leisure travel) — .7% higher than the $326 average of the second quarter.

These airline ticket prices will jump dramatically when Q4 information is published — we have been tracking new four year highs at the end of 2007 and now in early 2008.

Keep reading to see which airports enjoyed the biggest average airfare decreases in the third-quarter, and which airports had to deal with the biggest airfare average increases…

Answer: Arnold Palmer

Yes golf is a passion of mine and no, I haven’t gone crazy — let me tie up these “very” tenuous loose ends.

Tiger just recently tied Arnold Palmer’s record for PGA tour wins (62) and whilst I was reviewing our internal 12:30 domestic airfare report for deals…

I noticed Northwest Airlines today appears to be celebrating this achievement by dropping prices up to 75% to/from Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Yes Latrobe, the airport maybe better known as “Arnold Palmer Regional Airport” (after it’s native son …)

Latrobians should checkout these new low airline ticket prices …

I thought I’d turn tables a bit, and instead of presenting you with some good advice, I’d tell you about some of the bad advice I see floating around the internet.

So, I’ve come up with this: 6-Pieces of Air Travel Advice to Ignore…and what you should pay attention to.

I talk about cell phones, passports, First Class and plenty of other things.

Just click “more” for…THE LIST.

I don’t have to tell you it’s getting late.

But you can still create a Valentine’s Day getaway…or, a Presidents Day weekend…or even combine the two (a vote for love?).

You have to act fast, though, AND, follow my 5-Last Minute Tips. To see them, just click “more”.

There has only been a smattering of activity related to the 40$ roundtrip fuel surcharges over the past four airfare distribution cycles since Sunday evening (including this morning’s 10:00am EST airfare distribution).

The fuel surcharge related activity since Sunday includes:

• Midwest Airlines joined in and matched the $40 roundtrip fuel surcharge increase
• Northwest Airlines matched the $40 roundtrip fuel surcharge increase on an additional 600 markets (city pairs)

It appears that this particular attempt at a fuel surcharge increase is going to “stick” - airfare hikes are now batting .500 for 2008 with four airline ticket increase attempts in the first four weeks of the year - two of which that have been mostly “sticky”…

Joe Sharkey has an enlightening article in the New York Times breaking down the insanity that ensues when the Super Bowl comes to town.

Joe was at his house in Phoenix, preparing to get out before the madness began. But before he left, he assessed the situation, noting that some folks are spending $10,000 a week to rent homes, while others are shelling out $600+ a night to stay in old broken down motels…click “more” for the crazy details!

UPDATE: Say you’ve got the money for the Super Bowl but you decide not to go; what else you can you do with that cash? How about 2-weeks in Tahiti, a brand-new Lexus, or…acting like Jack Nicholson. These ideas and more, right here.

It’s that time of year again, where you’d better show up with chocolates or flowers (or, to be on the safe side, both).

But for a really special Valentine’s Day celebration, how about Paris? Air France has a special deal just for you. And here’s even more Parisian luxury…

In a word, yes. But, how about any tickets at all?

Well, I suppose you could find a ticket on eBay, and you could take a last minute flight to Phoenix, but chances are, it won’t come cheap.

Only one thing to do: Hello, Super Bowl XLIII! …

I just read 2-great articles with 2-different takes on how international travelers can stretch their dollars this year.

Economizing is travel author Rick Steves’ theme: he suggests staying at B & B’s and hostels; using public transportation instead of rental-cars, and ATM’s instead of travelers’ checks. See more of his ideas here.

Travel + Leisure touts going where the dollar isn’t so weak, including Eastern Europe, the Bahamas, Brazil, Vietnam and New Zealand. More suggestions here.

Planning is key. So is saving on airfare; use our Email Alerts.

Well maybe not green .. but every now and then I see something that makes me chuckle out loud or as my 7 year daughter might say (LOL).

This morning I noticed a press release touting Saudi Arabian Airlines purchasing software to streamline fuel operations across the airlines route system.

In light of the $40 fuel surcharge now in place for the major U.S. domestic legacy airlines — it made me wonder what Saudi Airlines really pays for a barrel of oil? Could it possibly hedged at $50 a barrel like Southwest Airlines …

Over the weekend the three remaining legacy airlines matched the $40 roundtrip fuel surcharge increase (doubled from $20 roundtrip earlier in the week). American Airlines and US Airways matched late Friday evening and United Airlines matched Saturday afternoon.

The scope of this fuel surcharge increase — while major (66+% of each legacy airlines respective route system) — is slightly below the aggressive matching of the prior two weeks.
…

Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have both matched the doubling of the fuel surcharge from $20 to $40 initiated by Continental Airlines late yesterday evening - leaving American, United and US Airways on the sidelines for the moment.

In the past several airfare increase attempts, Delta Air Lines has been quick to pull the matching trigger (almost always within half a day) where Northwest Airlines has usually been late to the party (one of the last to join in)…

Airline merger mania continues as the potential of a Delta/Northwest deal grows. Other legacy carriers such as United Airlines and Continental airlines could also be involved, and while Continental has stated it would prefer to remain independent, pilots for the airline know that might not be an option.

In order to prepare themselves for a possible merger, the Continental pilots union has readied their Strategic Merger and Acquisition Response Team (”SMART”).

Keep reading to see how the pilots union can affect the merger process, and how these potential mergers can impact travelers…

Another Thursday night … another attempt to increase airline ticket fuel surcharges … This time the instigator is Continental Airlines who is attempting to raise fuel surcharges to $40 roundtrip - an increase of $20 roundtrip.

This is the 4^th airfare increase attempt in as many weeks of 2008, the previous two attempts failed with only one “sticky” airline ticket increase so far in 2008.

Let me put on my myth-busting hat: I just saw this AP article in The San Jose Mercury News, called “When is the best time to book airfare?”

Good question; bad answer. According to the article, late Thursday is the best time to check. WRONG.

The article goes on to quotea source as saying “Our experience with airlines has shown us that they update available seats around 12 a.m. Eastern time every day.” WRONG AGAIN.

So when IS the best time to book? Click “more” to find out…

Liked this? Then check out “How to Buy Intelligently”

I’ve been perusing the transportation analysts’ reports on several airlines’ 4th quarter financial results as well as reviewing some of the future looking guidance from airlines to investors — and it is pretty simple: demand is still firm — even in the wake of a “possible” economic downturn and record fuel prices.

Several airlines note firm demand in the U.S. domestic markets, and legacy airlines are also pleased about the demand for seats on transatlantic and Latin American flights…

Liked this? Then check out “Good News, Bad News”

I’ve got some great tips for those of you who are thinking of taking a vacation during the upcoming Spring Break.

There’s not much time left (as I’m sure you know).

But you’ve come to the right place for cheap airfare sales info ; check out these great tips here.

Liked this story? Check out all our great deals, here.

It really has been a yo-yo of sorts; one day, an airline announces a big fat rise in their fuel surcharges, and within a few days, most of the airlines have fallen in line.

Then poof! The surcharges are rolled back. Then, they’re on again.

But you can beat this. Over the past 2 years, I’ve noticed that the fuel surcharges are typically filed on Thursday night or Friday morning. And rollbacks occur Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

This afternoon in the 12:30pm EST the last of the six legacy airlines rolled back their matching of the American Airlines attempted increase from late last week to previous levels ($20 roundtrip).

Air travelers will be able to capture the savings for purchases starting later this afternoon.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) just released their latest data for 2007 on-time departure percentages at major airports. The report covers January-November (December isn’t yet available).

Sorry, Chicago O’Hare, you ranked at the bottom of the list for the second year in a row. Your on-time departure percentage of 68.15 just edged out JFK and Newark (EWR) for the last spot.

Keep reading to see your chances of leaving on-time from other major airports…

This past year, Boeing received its 7,000th order for one of its 737s. Lion Air placed the momentous order that sparked a celebration, speeches, and the proclamation from Boeing that the 737 is “the most successful commercial airplane family in history.”

Of course, a claim from the manufacturer can’t be treated as fact, but as a point of reference, Airbus’ A320 family (built to compete directly with Boeing’s 737 family) is still moving ever closer to its 6,000th order.

So, what does the 7,000th order of the 737 mean for Boeing? Well, it means they got to have a nice party and a bit of PR, but it also gives them fuel in their ongoing battle with Airbus. 2007 saw Airbus deliver more planes than Boeing, but Boeing can still claim victory, as they received more new orders than their French rival.

Liked this Story? Check out “Which Airline Flies to the Most Countries?”

This afternoon in the 12:30pm EST domestic U.S. airfare distribution the FareCompare.com proprietary airfare processing system noted significant system wide airfare increase matching activity by United and Continental Airlines.

Both United & Continental Airlines raised fuel surcharges to $40 roundtrip — now matching similar increases yesterday by American and Delta — leaving only Northwest and US Airways on the sidelines at this point. These additional surcharges have been added to both leisure and business airline tickets.

This afternoon in the 12:30pm EST domestic U.S. airfare distribution the FareCompare.com proprietary airfare processing system noted significant system wide airfare increase by American Airlines.

This past week the legacy airlines began matching and subsequently rolled back an attempt to raise fuel surcharges to 50$ roundtrip by United Airlines…

This evening in the 8:00pm EST domestic U.S. airfare distribution the FareCompare.com proprietary airfare processing system noted significant system wide airfare increase matching activity by Delta Air Lines.

Earlier today American Airlines raised its fuel surcharge to $40 roundtrip ($20 one-way) on the majority of it’s route system - this was on the heels of a failed attempt earlier in the week by the legacy airlines to raise fuel surcharges to $50 roundtrip ($25 one-way)…