Those rising fares could give you a jolt this summer ... or for the holidays
Speaking of airfares, chances are you’ll be paying more to fly this year than in 2005 -– especially if you procrastinate. “Travel prices are on the rise, and people who are holding out for a sale are likely to be sorely disappointed, if not locked out of their favorite spot,†writes The Arizona Republic. “Business travelers and jetsetters are already painfully aware of the pinch, but those who make a once-a-year trip to the beach or to see family are just now feeling it, or will soon,†the paper adds in a story headlined: “Summer airfares won’t be cheap.†Other experts suggest after years of near-record-low prices, the U.S. traveling public could be in for sticker shock as fares start to rise.
"We've been spoiled by absurdly low fares for the last five years," Forrester analyst Henry Hardevelt tells the San Francisco Chronicle. "Even if they do raise fares $5 to $10, airlines still collectively represent excellent value.†And with fares starting to creep up, this year is not the year to hold out for a last-minute sale, says Cheapseats.com airfare Terry Trippler. "If you see a domestic fare and you like it, take it now," he tells The Capital of Annapolis, Md. Travel agency owner Paul Seiferth takes that one step further, saying "you'd better start looking at Thanksgiving and Christmas†now to lock in a reasonable fare.
|
