Air Travel Picking Up This Holiday Season
FLIGHTS, HOTELS COST PREMIUM RATES, AGENCY OWNER SAYS
Posted: December 4, 2011 at 5:41 a.m.
Matt James texts his girlfriend Wednesday while waiting for a flight at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill. James was on his way home to California.
Northwest Arkansas residents are starting to spend money to travel for the holidays but don’t expect the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to be any busier than usual. Just think more babies and fewer briefcases.
Gary Cuthbertson, left, and Mary Dunham, both with Merck Consumer Care, talk Wednesday while waiting for a flight to depart N...
AT A GLANCE
PROCRASTINATE LATER
If you have not purchased tickets for air travel yet, many of the better deals are gone but there are still a few ways to save money.
Shop now. Starting the last week of October, airfare shoppers started paying an extra $5 each day they delayed buying a ticket.
Look for connecting flights. Connecting flights are generally cheaper than nonstop. Compare routes and you could save $100 or more by selecting a less-convenient flight.
Travel on the cheapest days to fly. Many airlines start raising prices sharply on Dec. 22, while others start as early as Dec. 16. Most expensive days to fly are the Mondays after Christmas and New Year’s Day. The cheapest days to fly throughout the year are typically Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and this is often true during holiday periods.
Fly on the holiday. The cheapest day for flights during the holiday season is Dec. 25 plus airports will be relatively calm and stress free.
Pack light. You can avoid those $50 round-trip checked-bag fees some airlines charge by toting your own carry-on.
SOURCE: FARECOMPARE.COM
OVER THE HILLS AND THROUGH THE WOODS
The top 10 destinations for hotel bookings at aaa.com for the last two weeks of December are:
Orlando
Las Vegas
Los Angeles/Anaheim
New York City
San Francisco
San Diego
Chicago
Fort Lauderdale
Boston
Nashville
SOURCE: AAA
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Business, Pages 13 on 12/04/2011
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