budget travel

AAA, the nation’s largest leisure travel organization, is suggesting budget-minded consumers seize this summer’s travel bargains as similar savings may not be available in the future. Those who are suffering from a general unease about the economy may also benefit from taking AAA’s brief quiz about their personal financial situation and recent travel experiences at:

www.aaaexchange.com/SeizeTheSummer

For many, the result will be a realization they should “Seize the Summer” and travel this year, AAA believes.

It’s time to separate general economic anxiety from personal financial reality

“Given all of the negative economic news of the past six months and our society’s newfound frugality, some otherwise well-off consumers are feeling a little awkward or uneasy about leisure travel this year,” said Doug Bower, vice president of AAA Travel and Financial Services. “For this reason, AAA wants to remind consumers there may never be a better time to travel than this summer. By carefully assessing our individual economic circumstances and personal travel situation many of us may realize traveling this year should not be seen as a guilty pleasure, but as something we should get out and enjoy. By going now, we also will be doing our part to get America’s economy moving again.” [Read more…] about AAA says great travel deals are available now

During the English soccer season, Terry Stevens often checks travel websites for last-minute specials across the pond. If a good fare is available, he goes to see a match. So when he saw that a favourite team had qualified for a final at London’s Wembley Stadium this week, he tried to book a quick getaway.

He lucked in at the last minute, with a British Airways deal on ba.com that threw in two free nights in a London hotel. The final price tag, with tax: about $1,000, including a $200 upgrade to premium economy class on the way there. It’s far less than such a trip would have cost a year or even a few months ago.

These days, as is the case with so many other consumer products, bargain airfares are there for the taking. But, as carriers aggressively cut back on planes and staff worldwide, passenger demand is falling even faster. As a result, seat sales and falling fares will probably continue until customer demand picks up. [Read more…] about How to get a great deal on airfares

When it comes to air travel, the bumpy ride of 2008 is over, and the relatively cheap ride of 2009 is taking off.

With just a few minutes and a computer, we found a $39 one-way fare from Austin to San Francisco and a $79 round trip to Orlando — both trips that often cost more than $100 each way.

Prices are coming down, thanks largely to a recent drop in fuel prices. At the same time, airlines are aggressively trying to recoup losses from the last year and convince wary passengers air travel is still a good deal. [Read more…] about How to find great travel deals