Would you buy air tickets now for next spring to avoid fare increases?
 

We're doing the initial planning now for a holiday in Turkey late April/May. With talk of air fares increasing significantly over the next several months we're considering buying our tickets now. Some airlines have already announced increases and/or surcharges .... the best fare available to us has already gone up over $300 in the past month. What is the risk of airlines imposing additional charges even though the tickets have been purchased? Any thoughts or experiences?

It would all depends on the policy of the airline. Having said that here in Turkey if you have the reservation with a certain rate additional charges may come so this will be added on your fare. However if ticket has been issued I have not hear any increase have been added to an issued ticket.

Good luck and happy travelling,

Murat

My thought is to buy when you are <i>reasonably</i> sure of where and when you are going, not before, because you will be locked into it. ((*))

We found a 1050 Chicago to Paris for August and grabbed it, and are putting off booking our late Winter trip to Hawaii. They want wayyy too much to book out ahead for Hawaii(1100-1200- in the past we have paid 600-850) I cant see those fares holding let alone charging more.

I dont think waiting hurts, hotels are dealing with fewer travelers and should discount too even if airfares hold.

Thats my opinion, and its been a topic of discussion in my household

Thanks much! We plan on leaving last week in April and staying 15 -17 days excluding travel time. Today the best price from Gander is $1440 pp with 2 loooong layovers. I'm not sure how prices in hotels and restaurants will be affected in Turkey .... perhaps Murat can comment? It seems oil prices affect most everything and fewer people are traveling far from home base. Our local tourism, which has increased dramatically in recent years, also appears to be affected this summer.

Hi N,

&gt;What is the risk of airlines imposing additional charges even though the tickets have been purchased?

Zero.

Once you are ticketed, that's it.

This doesn't mean that they can't add charges for checked luggage, toilet paper, water, etc.

Price of oil is coming down. You might find rates lower in August. (But you might not.)

((I))

Most hotels are hesiatnt to give rates for 2009. Some will changed Euro if did not last year. Some hotels will add up 5 to 10%. Inflation is about 10% anyway.
Some hotels will accept bookings for next year but mostly without commiting a rate. However some hotels are accepting guaranteed bookings with this years rates too.

Murat

Gasoline prices are hopefully going down so we will see if ayy immediate effect on ticket prices....

Murat

I think $1440 is too much to spend this far out. If prices go up much beyond that, then I would think you will see demand dry up, as well. If demand drops, then the airlines will likely cut prices. Simply put, don't assume that, just because oil prices go up, that airfares will go up.

My wife and I are going to Turkey at the same time you are. We booked with Lufthansa, paying $1257 per person for round trip tickets, Detroit to Istanbul to Detroit. I saw a few lower fares, but the Lufthansa times were most convenient. We also booked our hotel, at a price set in Euros. Our hotel agreed to discount our room by 10% if we paid in cash or by travelers checks, which we'll do. Hope this info is useful.