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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.

Good post, but has little relevance to CR, in my opinion. It would certainly apply to summer getaways like Orlando, but the summer in CR is actually off-season, so it's only natural that fares to CR decrease in the summer months.

Sounds like a little wishful thinking

Seriously what you say makes sense unfortunately airlines fares frequently make little sense. I mean now Northwest is testing a program to charge $15.00 extra for a bulkhead, emergency exit row or certain aisle seats. Airlines are trying to maximize their bottom line anyway they can.

As far as CR is concerned think the fares are going to be influenced by fuel prices more than any other factor.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

And whether horny gringos are willing to pay $600? If not, the prices will drop. But seriously, I agree that fuel prices will affect fares, but in the end, it always comes down to demand. If people aren't paying their prices, they will decrease them no matter what.

TACA is limited in their options but large US carriers such as AA, CO, USA have the ability to downsize equipment to meet the shrinking demand. AA has the ability from Miami to reduce the frequency of service as well as downsize the equipment.

Certainly hope you are correct as I have to go to Philadelphia in early October for a family function and do not want to pay 600 or 700 dollars.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Ah well, Ill just be sure to book my CR Labor day flight by the end of May. Should avoid the summer gas price increases, and I wont have to spend countless hours searching travelocity.

If you're rich then it doesn't really matter.

...must be nice.
Your statement is probably true, but not everyone is rich. Therefore, it's much more important for us to find reasonable prices on airfare. But thanks for the input.
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!