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Airfares: As Costs Rise, Flexibility Is Key

Despite signs of slowing inflation, airfares remain elevated, up nearly 10% in April compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the pandemic emerges, fewer flights, airline staff shortages and higher fuel costs have led to higher prices. And travel-hungry consumers haven’t rebelled enough to persuade airlines to suspend service.

But the situation can be confusing and changeable.

Prices for domestic flights are currently well below last year, but are expected to rise through June, when summer flights typically peak, according to travel-booking app Hopper. Hopper expects domestic round-trip bookings to peak at $328, better than last June’s $400, but still 4% higher than the same period in 2019.

The story is even darker for international fares, where vacancies lag behind demand. Hopper expects international airfares this summer to hit a five-year high, with flights to Europe up 32% from last summer (averaging $1,188). Airfares to Asia have gone up 17% ($1,890 on average) for him since last summer. This is his 67% increase from 2019.

What should travelers do to avoid being scammed? Be open minded.

“It’s important to be flexible about one of the parameters of your booking,” says global travel trends expert Laura Lindsay. skyscanner, airline ticket search site. “If you’re flexible about when and where you want to go, and even how you want to go, you could probably leave from one airport and return to another airport or another airline. The deal is done, and the stubborn will be charged a higher fare.”

Easiest to adjust in flight. Skyscanner allows the user to check the price of routes within a month to find the cheapest fares. Google Flights will send you price alerts for the best fares on any date for your given route, and Kayak lets you search using flexible dates.

As for where to go, think of 2023 as a carefree summer.

“If possible, let the deal dictate the destination,” said Ted Rothman, senior industry analyst at the firm. bank rate, a personal finance website. “People tend to set their minds on one particular place, and that often limits their options. If you don’t care about which beach, shop around.”

If you haven’t booked your summer tickets yet, do so now. Hopper usually confirms domestic fares three to four months in advance of his trip (many search engines track a given route) and recommends purchasing one to two months in advance. I’m here. In the summer, he says the best deals are often available three to four months in advance.

Another potential savings is a technique known as skiplag, which allows travelers to book a ticket that includes an intermediate stopover at their destination, skipping the final leg of the trip and possibly skipping a direct flight. It may be cheaper than a flight.website Skipped We put together available deals based on your preferred airport. For example, the company recently flagged a flight from San Francisco to Jacksonville, Fla., via Miami for $134. A direct flight between San Francisco and Miami was $158. This method is frowned upon by airlines, requiring travelers to book outbound and return tickets separately and abandon checked baggage.

Alternatively, look for a combined flight and hotel package for a lower price than the sum.online travel agency price list The company says its packages save an average of $240 per booking. JetBlue Travel GuideThe airline’s branch said the hotel and airfare deal is 90% better than booking them separately. Shoppers can use the “Best Vacation Finder” tool to compare different beach, mountain vacation and city offers.

Finally, don’t miss the points you earn by paying for air tickets and credit cards.

Rothman said many consumers were accumulating points during the pandemic, saving cash at the risk of being devalued by airlines, and they were free to change their requirements, so they could spend 6 on modified flights. He pointed out that he claimed 10,000 points. It was 50,000 yesterday. “Providers are recovering from the pandemic and want paying customers, not free.”

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