RSS
Home
2009 will be the year of the travel deal
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Good news for those looking to vacation next year as 2009 will be the year of travel deal. According to a recent AP press article, recession means destinations will lower rates to attract guests.
The AP article continues: “The value of the U.S. dollar is surging, gas prices are at their lowest levels in four years, and hotel rates are softening. If you can afford a vacation, 2009 will be ‘the year of travel deals,’ predicts Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor of Travelocity. "As long as the economic slowdown continues, deals will abound for people who do have discretionary income to travel.”
Cheapflights.com is a travel deals search engine which acts as a “TV guide” to travel search engines locating the cheapest deals from various search engines, like Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, etc. Recently Cheapflights.com released its latest Travelnomics report as a result of discussions with leaders and influencers, from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to Virgin America, to get the scoop on 2008 and looking head to 2009.
Carl Schwartz, Chief Travel Officer of Cheapflights.com, looks back on 2008. “On an average across all deals within the U.S., our research has shown a six percent decline among airfare prices; an optimistic indication of what lies ahead for travelers. Starting with Dead Week deals next week, 2009 will be a fantastic environment for travelers looking for bargains.”
The overall consensus: Not only will the cost of airfare drop significantly in 2009, but new routes, new runways, and new technologies will make travel easier and more reliable.
Among the report’s findings, according to Schwartz, for consumer’s this means: less delays at airports with introduction of new technology; Wi-Fi in the sky; more carriers and more competitions and lower fares; and loyalty pays with more enticing promotions and opportunities, although surcharges are here to stay.
For those travelers with vacation on the mind, Schwartz gives these tips to find the best deals in 2009:
- Be flexible. Decide what’s truly important, Schwartz says. If you normally travel from Saturday to Saturday, consider dates during the week for better deals and less traffic. If you simply want a non-touristy family vacation with a beach, instead of Jamaica, consider San Diego.
- For example, Schwartz’s family of 5 wanted a summer vacation with a flight less than 4 hours. Because they could be flexible, they ended up in Chicago at just over $800 round trip, everyone had a great time!
- For example, Schwartz’s family of 5 wanted a summer vacation with a flight less than 4 hours. Because they could be flexible, they ended up in Chicago at just over $800 round trip, everyone had a great time!
- Consider alternate airports. Schwartz recently researched flights out of JFK, and discovered that Newark flights are often 28 percent less. Denverites might want to consider Colorado Springs. If you have no choice on your departure airport, take a look at your destination.
- Consider non-direct flights. Sure it’s a hassle, but direct flights are often cash guzzlers. If you can be flexible and book a flight with one connection, you will save money. For a family, that per person savings adds up.
- Don’t settle for the first deal. Good deals are subjective. Be patient, but snap up deals when you see them, but keep looking. Even if you book, you may be able to take advantage of price guarantees, such as at Orbitz.
January marks the start of prime searching and fare deals, said Schwartz. “After the holidays, travelers focus on winter vacations, spring and summer break. Airlines know this, so the first few weeks of January airlines will sweeten the deal with discounted prices when booking early.”
Search Cheapflights.com for travel deals.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
The sixth annual Mile High Holidays, a marketing campaign valued at $1 million, officially kicked off today at a press conference in the newly …
Mayor John Hickenlooper has declared November 9-15 as "Denver Wine Week.” Celebrate at Denver Wine Fest during Denver International Wine …
