AIRLINES - Budget Travel and Price Shopping

AIRLINES:

 

Discount airlines maybe pricing some destinations higher this year, the WALL STREET JOURNAL reports.

 

Virgin America, jetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways are pricing some markets significantly higher than their bigger, typically more-expensive competitors, expecting robust demand and limited airline capacity will lead to full planes at full fares. Despite the struggling economy, airline executives seem to think that travelers will buy tickets regardless of price.

 

Demand for air travel has increased recently, and airlines haven't added much capacity back after the recession.

 

Some tips on finding affordable fares this holiday season:

 

1. Buy early: Demand will likely be stronger than supply this year, so prices will rise as seats sell. There are still some good prices out there.
2. Be flexible: Avoiding peak days can save you hundreds of dollars. Consider the Saturday before or Tuesday after Thanksgiving, for example. And the cheapest days of all can be the holiday days.
3. Shop around: Check websites that search fares across multiple airlines, like Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz, and sites that search more aggressively, like Kayak. Don't forget that Southwest fares are only available from the airline.
4.  Find a cheaper beach: If it's a vacation you want, look at multiple destinations. The Caribbean may be selling stronger than Florida or Mexico, for example.