Visits Home

[symbiosis 0]

Is anyone else worried that the cost of air fare will make it prohibitive for fiancee/future spouse to return to home country for visits. With a shakeout in the airline industry, tighter capacity and the rising cost of jet fuel, it's probably not unreasonable to assume fares will double in the next year.

[Old Dominion 26]

Is anyone else worried that the cost of air fare will make it prohibitive for fiancee/future spouse to return to home country for visits. With a shakeout in the airline industry, tighter capacity and the rising cost of jet fuel, it's probably not unreasonable to assume fares will double in the next year.

Doubling of air fares could indeed occur, along with a decline in the number of flights to choose from. A good argument to begin putting money into a savings account as soon as possible! Then, it won't be prohibitive.

[Tom and Teaw 1]

I don't see airfare doubling in the future or going up much. Everytime I fly to Thailand the planes are full or almost full. International airfare has remained stable so far even with the increase in the price of oil. The prices that have gone up are domestic fares where the flights are shorter and fuel costs greater. Remember, they get up to 35,000 feet or so and put it on basically cruise control and just coast along using minimal fuel for a long haul compared to shorter hops around the country. And with the dollar so bad in the USA it is cheaper for people to visit here. So I think prices will remain stable with the great competition in international routes. Yes, there might be some consolidation of flights with some carriers but so far it's mostly been on the domestic end.

[payxibka 10,048]

Seems like it has already doubled to me. I paid $750 RT last year and $1500 RT this year. Same time of year, same itinerary...

Edited July 8, 2008 by fwaguy

[Illinois 0]

Paid a little over $1900 per ticket in early June. Some days later the fares for our route went up by 15%. That's a chunk when raised from what we paid. The same route cost about $950 thirteen years ago. I am bracing myself to pay close to $3K at some point in the not-too-distant future.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

I guess we are lucky!

Eric just bought his airticket (Chicago-Guatemala) for September and it was only $350.00! This is probably the cheapest ticket we've ever bought! In the past we've paid $700 or even $800.00 for the same route.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

That is pretty cheap. What airline was it with?

I do see flight prices increasing. By how much I don't pretend to know, but gas probably is not going to go back down to .99 a gallon.

[symbiosis 0]

That is pretty cheap. What airline was it with?

I do see flight prices increasing. By how much I don't pretend to know, but gas probably is not going to go back down to .99 a gallon.

Has anyone had luck with last-minute discounted fares via priceline, etc?

[panamania79 2]

That is pretty cheap. What airline was it with?

I do see flight prices increasing. By how much I don't pretend to know, but gas probably is not going to go back down to .99 a gallon.

Has anyone had luck with last-minute discounted fares via priceline, etc?

Fly with spiritair,everybody.I only paid $300.00 to go to Panama in May.

Edited July 10, 2008 by panamania79

[eric_and_teresa 10]

We always use Continental. Try searching here: www.kayak.com Its flight serch engine it also shows some graphics of the tendency of prices per week, which can be helpful. I liked kayak more than expedia, because when you decide to purchase the ticket it re-directs you to the airline website so you don't pay any extra booking fees.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Thanks!

Continental is consistently the most expensive airline for my trip though. Lowest price was like $3100 for one ticket round trip economy. Rigghhhtt.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Heh, prices shot up again. Here is what got over the course of one week:

NWA: $781 - Bought on 7/3 for $674

Air France: $916 was $840 on 7/3

United: $943 was $719 on 7/3

Continental now wants $3800.

[jundp 191]

I think it's just as bad in country. Friends who waited to buy tickets for my wedding are now faced with paying almost as much as P's family paid for a ticket from Stuttgart.... I like kayak too.

Wacken, have you checked out Air Berlin? I know you already bought your tickets, but we got an amazing deal from them. It was at least 400€ cheaper than any other airlines.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I looked at it, but Air Berlin leaves from Columbus, OH, which is about a 3 hour drive from here. Then they only fly into Dusseldorf from Columbus. Brake is about 3-3.5 hours from Dusseldorf. It's not really worth it in terms of time and extra transportation expenses. I don't even know if the fare is cheaper because their fare search is unavailable. Thanks for the tip though.

Edited July 11, 2008 by Wacken