Feature Stories
Buying an Airline Ticket? - Wait and Save
This week, the LA Times reported that in the 2008 holiday season, the procrastinator is getting the worm…and the major savings. It is common knowledge that more often than not, it’s best to get an airline ticket far in advance. Last-minute tickets, especially those purchased at the gate or a few hours before the flight, are usually for emergencies or high-priority business meetings, and thus the airlines can assume that passengers will pay through the nose. But this December, despite having reduced the number of flights, airlines are still finding that many people are not traveling. Fortunately, oil prices are also lower, and so the airlines can afford to help you afford to get home for Christmas.
Naturally, high-traffic routes on busy travel days are still very pricey. But, as the Times states, “flights to certain cities on certain days during the holidays still have empty seats—and that’s despite airlines cutting back.” Indeed, some of the lowest fares in years are popping up. In 2008, it pays to not be on the ball…and in fact to be nowhere even near said ball. Check sites such as kayak.com and Priceline.com for low fares.
Today, Virgin America announced its “Home for the Holidays” sale. Fares on even some of their popular routes have been slashed. High-demand routes are around $139 each way, and lesser routes are as low as $59 each way. With Virgin America expanding to new cities as we approach 2009, the low-cost, high-value airline is finding more and more ways to win over new customers.
Fares for some popular routes have dropped by $100 or more from October to December. As long as you can fly at off-peak times, it’s likely you’ll luck out. Way to be lazy; here’s a holiday gift!
And if you’ve already purchased your tickets and are cursing yourself for being so responsible and organized, not to worry. United Airlines, JetBlue, and Alaska will all credit passengers for their fare differences. Southwest will offer a voucher for the difference. Either way, be sure to keep checking in on your holiday flight.
Travelocity and Yapta have features that help you to keep track of changes in the price of the itinerary you booked. Best of all, however, is Orbitz. With its new price assurance feature, the site will send travelers a check for any price difference. You are guaranteed that no one will buy the same ticket for less, or you get your money back. This is one of those things that seems like a good marketing ploy that probably never actually happens, but I can attest to Orbitz’s honesty. One of my flights this fall had a price change, and even though I was not paying attention, Orbitz notified me of the difference and then, sure enough, I received a check in the mail for $85 a few weeks later. Smart move; I’ve used Orbitz to book ever since.
The good holiday news is, don’t despair! If the economy had you down, and you weren’t going to fly to friends or family this year, there may still be hope. Pick some unpopular travel days or times and do a new search for tickets; the result could be lower than you think!
