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UPDATE 1 : America, Continental and Delta have matched this hike UPDATE 2 : Northwest joins the match Well, before the paint could dry on the 20th attempted airfare hike of 2008 (initiated late last week), United decided to kick off the long holiday weekend by firing out the 21st attempted airfare increase of the year. Last night — at 8:00pm EDT — United hiked airfares by $20 to $40 roundtrip (mostly $20) across the bulk of its route system. I should note that, this year, United has not been bashful about test firing increases — since they’ve initiated 10 of the past 20 attempts of the year. Yesterday was a very volatile airfare filing day — before United’s move, Delta raised prices on dozens of smaller cities by $10 to $20 - not enough to be considered a full-blown attempted hike but possibly the trigger for United’s increases. More on “unusual activity” going on — plus I have some advice for you on WHEN TO BUY TICKETS — if you’ll just keep reading. |
Recently we have seen an unusually high amount of airfare filing activity in every airfare distribution, with a variety of “unexplainable changes” involving wild up-and-down price swings for fall travel, as carriers react to other airlines’ pricing or attempts to initiate new higher pricing.
Consumers should be cautious about buying tickets right now for travel that starts after early November, as many airlines do not seem to be “set” on their price points yet for this time period (and they are still making final decisions on flight cutbacks).
Air travelers should however, lock-in any tickets under $350 roundtrip for long trips, and under $225 roundtrip for shorter trips — since price points are likely to be much higher in the coming weeks and months as more airfare hikes pile up.
Hey Rick,
Trying to get cheap(er) tickets from Charlotte to Portland (Maine) August 7th-11th. Should I buy now or wait for last minute deals (2 weeks)?
Thanks,
Michelina
Comment by michelina — July 7, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Rick,
I am not sure what to do about purchasing tickets for 4 adults and two kids from Albany, New York to Honolulu, Hawaii leaving on or about December 20, 21 returning on January 1, 2. I know the prices are the highest they have been in two years, and most things on fare compare seem to point to wait to buy. I have seen a $1200 fare and wonder if we are going to expect to see anything less expensive.
Thanks,
Elayne
Comment by Elayne — July 29, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Hi Elayne,
On those days from Albany it is not likely to go down much. Painfully pull the trigger.
Comment by Rick Seaney — July 29, 2008 @ 6:43 pm