ShareThisBy JA'RENA LUNSFORD
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Adam Cohen took a few deep breaths. He had to prepare himself mentally and financially for the task before him: booking a flight for Thanksgiving.
Cohen is among the thousands of travelers who will pay more to fly this holiday season. Airfares are expected to cost consumers 15 percent more this year, according to consulting firm Sabre Airline Solutions. Although fuel prices are falling, demand for flights is high. The combination makes for a lesson in economics.
"Airfares are determined by supply and demand. They are not determined by the airlines," airline consultant Michael Roach said. Roach is co-owner of Roach and Sbarra, a San Francisco-based airline consulting company. Roach said fares are not historically high, but travelers will have a harder time finding a bargain.
And Cohen agrees. Bargains were scarce, the Norman resident said. Cohen planned to use his frequent-flier miles, but blackout dates around the holiday restricted using those miles. He bounced from one Web site to another unsuccessfully in search for the best deal for four to Philadelphia.
"I was just in such denial that I didn't book the tickets," Cohen said.
But denial soon faded, and Cohen booked four tickets for a total of $1,854. Last year, he made the trip alone and paid $300. "Was I surprised? No. Was I disappointed? Yes," Cohen said.
Steve Hendrickson, vice president of Sabre Airline Solutions, said travelers shouldn't give up on finding deals on airfare.
"They are out there; you just have to be diligent," Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson said travel agents and Web sites can be great tools for consumers who want to get the most air for their dollar. He said consumers should compare prices. Flexibility in arrival and departure dates and times also can give travelers more choices, Hendrickson said.
Booking early has historically been a deal-maker for many travelers, but that's not likely the case this year, he said. If travelers are planning to book early for Thanksgiving, they are too late.
In fact, now's the time to book early for spring break, Roach added.
In the past, travelers could find deals by flying on off-days - the days around the holidays that are typically less-traveled because people already have arrived at their destination or are leaving days later. But even those deals are hard to find, Roach said.
"People fly all the time now," he said.
Hendrickson said airfares will not remain high.
"The pendulum will eventually swing the other way," he said.
In the meantime, consumers such as Cohen will pay what they must to be with family on Thanksgiving.
"Sometimes you have to swallow and pay the piper," Cohen said.
