Unless you are independently wealthy or you just won that huge Powerball jackpot, then you’re probably not going to be happy with what the airline industry is offering in the way of holiday fares.
The bad news: According to new reports, holiday fares are averaging about 10 to 20 percent more this year than last. What’s more, you will be battling more people for fewer seats now that most major airlines have reduced the number of routes they are flying in response to the economic crisis.
More bad news: “Peak travel surcharges,” the dreaded three-word phrase coupled with the litany of other crazy airline fees, equals pricey travel. Newfangled fees are constantly being cooked up by various airlines, such as Spirit Airlines, who in August started charging for carry-on bags (which can run up to a jaw-dropping $45). American Airlines also jumped on the new fee bandwagon by implementing an “Express Seats” charge for those wishing to be seated in the first few rows of the plane ($19 to $39 extra).
However, there is a teeny tiny sliver of good news this week from the airline industry. Southwest Airlines just launched a winter sale for dates that dance around peak holiday travel days. If you plan to fly between December 1st and December 16th and between January 4th and February 16th, you can score tickets starting at just $59 one-way. The sale prices are available with a 14-day advance purchase through November 22nd.
Sample fares include $59 one-way travel between Denver and Los Angeles, $86 one-way between Austin, Texas, and Panama City Beach, Florida, and $94 one-way between New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
If the dates don’t jive with your holiday travel plans, then consider turning to airfare tracking tools to snag a decent deal. I would suggest signing up for fare change alerts at sites, such as FareCompare or Yapta.com.
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