Comments on: Delta Hikes Fuel Surcharge, Breaks the $100 Roundtrip Barrier

By: Cara

Cara — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:00:24 +0000

Rick,
Great info!
Any advice on non-domestic airfare for next winter? We are planning a trip from Minneapolis to Puerto Vallarta in Feb. and usually buy in the fall when charters come out but the oil prices concern us (like it does everyone!).
Thanks in advance!

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:24:06 +0000

Hi Kathy, this is a tough question, it all depends on what happens with fuel between now and around election time this year. Typically you can get some decent airfare sales for January travel late in the fall, so I would wait right now … my only worry is that oil might be $150-$180 by then and that will trump any possible sales. I personally would setup an alert on our system in case something drops and you can lock in, otherwise wait until the fall.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:07:16 +0000

We are planning a family trip from the Midwest to Florida in January of 2009. I have been watching airfares and they have been going up all week. Some of the carriers have not release their prices yet. Should I wait until the end of May/early June before I make my reservations or wait until Fall?

By: Holly

Holly — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:52:18 +0000

I am planning to go to Rio for New Years leaving December 30th. With fuel charges going up, do you recommend booking now or trying to wait and hope for a better price. Currently, the best deal I have found is a Delta flight from St Louis to Rio is running $1200.00.

By: Silvio

Silvio — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:22:58 +0000

Frank,
so you think there is something wrong with U. S. domestic aviation. Think again - come visit me in Canada. You’ll be surprised to find out that 500$ is actually a “good deal” to fly Coast to Coast, say Toronto to Vancouver. Now you see why I drive to Buffalo, NY (100miles) and then fly to California to spend my Xmas break, for only $240 RT (incl. Tax). That was last Xmas.
Rick,
why are tickets so expensive within Canada, compared to US tickets? I mean, the route from Toronto to Vancouver is quite busy, comparable to NYC-SEA, for example. It’s not a niche market. Then why do I have to pay twice for it?

By: Larry Adams

Larry Adams — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:36:40 +0000

Rick,
Should I wait or buy round trip air tickets now for Labor Day weekend (8/29/08 - 8/31/08) from Atlanta to Denver? Thank you!

By: Meryl

Meryl — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:06:29 +0000

I need to fly from NY to LAX in August (one way) and from MCO to EWR one way on labor day. The rates for Virgin are ok now, but should I wait for their next sale or book now. The Florida flights are nuts, so do I book now the cheapest I can find or wait?

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:23:03 +0000

Nicole, typically prices drop for september travel in mid summer (in preparation for the slower time for travel when kids go back to school). Unfortunately this year the legacy airlines are likely to cut back 10-20% of their fall flights in order to keep planes full and higher fall prices sticking. Definitely start shopping now (not necessarily buying) and if you see a decent deal pounce on it quickly. I personally would sign up for alerts and see what unfolds in the next few months unless a nice sale price popped in before then.

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:20:03 +0000

Elena, just click the multi city button on the search box on our home page, it will let you do multi-city trip pricing queries.

By: Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:18:58 +0000

Frank, unfortunately smaller market cities are taking the brunt of hikes and it is only going to get worse. The main reason is there isn’t enough competition on a day to day basis to drive the price back down. The cheapest days to travel will be Tue, Wed, Sat, you can get a decent deal if you are very flexible but unfortunately you are going to pay the small city, no competition premium. I wish I had a better suggestion, but there isn’t much relief unless we get fuel back to $60/barrel