How to Survive the Season Ahead – Travelocity

Traditionally, fall has meant falling airfares and more abundant seats. The summer crush is over, and things dial back a bit. These days, tradition is out the emergency exit. Travelocity (Web site: www.travelocity.com) says fall airfares this year are $40 higher for domestic and international tickets. That averages out to $342 for a domestic seat; $749 for an international ticket.

Add to that the fact that carriers have cut seat capacity to deal with high fuel prices and passengers are feeling the pinch. How to cope? Book ahead, way ahead.

Other tips from Amy Ziff, Travelocity Editor-At-Large: buy packages and look for hotel deals. That can help offset the cost of airfare. Ziff also recommends being flexible as to your flight dates. Cheapflights finds Tuesdays, Wednesdays and (especially) early Saturday mornings can yield lower discount airfares.

Travelocity says there are places out there where airfares have either fallen, or at least not risen terribly. Consider trips to Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Telluride, Dominican Republic, Cancun, San Juan, or even Orlando.

Finally, Travelocity suggests some defensive tactics to weather travel's travails:

- check flights and time changes prior to flying

- build flexibility into your schedule should anything go awry

- connect via major hubs (there are more flight options out of them should schedules go wrong)

- pack light, be sure to take along the 800 number of your airline or travel agent.

Ziff sums things up this way: “Based on the current climate, it's more important than ever to be a savvy traveler and use all the tools available to make sure your travel plans aren't ruined.”

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler