Airfares are on the rise and airlines are cutting the number of domestic flights. Add to that new fees for luggage, seats, movies and food. If you're planning to travel this holiday season, travel agents say book your seat now to make sure you get one and save some money.
Travel experts say Thanksgiving and Christmas-time flights will cost you 15% to 30% more than last year. And it will be harder to get a seat. Said Linda Burch with AAA Carolinas, "Almost 20 million seats have been cancelled or consolidated coming into the holiday season."
So book your flight as early as possible. Farecast.live.com says fares tend to go down the first two weeks in October. And you may want to use a travel agent that can help you re-book if your flight if it is suddenly cancelled. Said Burch, "They'll be able to work for you to get on onto the flights your looking for or reassignments."
Destination deals? AAA Carolinas says try the Florida resorts and cruises, especially if you drive. Said Burch, "If you want to go to orlando or even drive down to a cruise ship, there's some nice savings that way."
Some experts predict many hotel rates will drop because fewer people will be flying. And consider traveling between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Said Burch, "There's a travel lull time and you can find some really good deals."
More advice to save on flights...sign up for low fare alerts from travel sites like www.airfare watchdog.com, fly midweek rather than weekends, compare airports, limit your luggage-- airlines are charging per checked bag, and bring your own snacks, pillow and blanket so you don't have to pay the airline for theirs.
The less money you spend arriving, means more money to enjoy your destination.
Here are some travel websites that may be able to help you save money:
www.expedia.com
www.hotwire.com
www.travelocity.com
www.orbitz.com
www.priceline.com
www.sidestep.com
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