Flexibility in Holiday Travel Plans May Lead to Cheaper Airfares

Typically, the way to assure the best air fares to travel destinations is to book flights early. This year, however, the story is turning out to have a different ending. Many travelers are discovering this year that being flexible in travel times and waiting until the last minute can have their own rewards.

During the last six weeks, research shows flights from Chicago to U.S. destinations have fallen 25 percent. Smart travelers are generally the ones who hedge their bets that airfares during the holiday travel season will rise, and typically they do; therefore, savvy travelers know to purchase their air flights early. But this year, with the recession and the overall shape of the economy, when merchants are expecting below average Christmas sales, airlines will be scrambling to get the consumer's dollars as well with cheaper-than-average holiday flights.

Many travelers are asking the same questions - do we spend the money this year to travel back home to see mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, the kids, or other family and friends? Do we have the discretionary income to spend on air travel? Or would we be better off staying home and just making a few long distance phone calls?

These questions can have tough answers if you have been waiting all year to go back home and visit family and friends. Now, however, the holiday season is looking a little more cheerful and bright as air fares are declining. Who would have thought? Every year in recent memory has seen air fares rise around the holidays, as well as gasoline prices. Could this year be different? You bet.

If you are planning a trip this holiday season, check the air fares and check back often to see what the latest news is about your destination. Wait as long as you can before committing to an airline and air fare, until you think that's the best deal you are going to be able to get.

In spite of predictions to the contrary, air carriers are struggling to get a full load of passengers. Consumers are still worried about prices of food, gasoline, their jobs, their mortgages - the potential for concern is high and many are just too nervous to commit to spending a large sum of money on air fares. Experts say the decline in travel has reached proportions not anticipated and the economic woes are affecting hotels and car rental companies, as well as airlines.

Many airlines have resorted to offering deep discounts to try and entice their customers to fly this holiday season. Southwest Airlines extended a sale through December 8, 2008, that offered some round trip tickets at $90.00. American Airlines and United Airlines have also disclosed their intentions to offer discounted and sale air fares through December and into 2009. The price cuts of when and where will depend on the factors of supply and demand. The flights that aren't the most popular and aren't expected to find a full load of passengers, those flights stand to incur some sizeable reductions in air fare rates. The exceptions to that expected rule may include "high-end" destinations such as New York City.

Airlines are going to have to use new tactics to win some customers back. After the increasing rates of this past year, and the summer months in particular, many consumers may prefer to drive - a long way - rather than travel by airline. Offering consumers discounted holiday travel fares would be in the airlines' best interests, and they may be beginning to see that.

 

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