Fears over Omicron are fading as mask mandates and testing requirements are going away. Everyone is relieved to see more people traveling again. It marks a return to some version of normal after nearly two years of living a pandemic lifestyle. 

The world is finally (yes, really this time) opening up to travelers again.

Travel and tourism in the US is predicted to outpace pre-pandemic levels this year, according to an economic modeling report by the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics.

The caveat?

The strong recovery predictions depend on two things:

1 continued steady vaccine rollout, and
2 the lifting of international travel restrictions.

Both of which could make for a more pleasant travel experience. It will also increase travel demand.

The not-so-great news is that travel deals aren’t likely to last and the pent-up demand will play a role in rising travel prices. People who have been staying close to home are now double- or triple-vaxxed and ready to go.

Here’s why you should book all your travel now – ahead of any rate hikes – to lock in prices and protect your travel cash.

Airfare is shockingly cheap for many locations

Your flight for a summer getaway could cost less than it did before the pandemic. Airline fares are 18 percent lower when compared to 2019 levels (according to Airlines for America). 

The travel app Hopper’s Consumer Airfare Index says domestic airfare will rise 7% monthly through June, reaching 2019 levels by April 2022. The sharp rise is contributed by higher demand for seats and jet fuel prices.

So, booking your ticket now will lock in today’s cheaper prices.

Tip: See the flight booking mistakes even experienced travelers make.

International travel is still a bargain

International travel hasn’t recovered yet, and there are still plenty of cheap flights and hotels for popular spring and summer destinations like Paris, London, and Brisbane.

Travel experts like Jack and Scott have a lot to say about how to find cheap flights right now:

• Scott’s Cheap Flights: How to Find Cheap Flights in 2022: The Ultimate Guide
• Jack’s Flight Club: The ultimate guide to finding cheap flights to anywhere

And no, I don’t make any money by sharing those links. They’re travel writers I follow because they have great tips to share.

Cheap hotel rates are harder to find

Hotel rates are a mixed bag right now. Overall, the prices for hotels in the US are up 13% over 2019 prices. 

Many hotels were able to pivot during the pandemic and cater to road travelers, staycationers, and remote workers. The pandemic and labor shortages also sped up the adoption of automation in hotels, making keyless check-in, digital staff communication, and even robot room service the new norms.

While the price for some hotel rooms in the US is pacing above the national inflation rate, it’s not universal. Popular spring break destinations like Mexico and Florida are expensive, but you can still get deals if you’re willing to travel to places where rates are still depressed, like New York and San Francisco.

Tip: Hotels have gotten a little more restrictive about cancellations. As long as you book a cancellable room, you should be OK if you get sick or need to change your travel dates.

Rental cars are still pricey and hard to find

This time last year, rental vehicles were scarce and overpriced and it’s not looking any better in 2022. If you’re traveling this year, try to reserve a car as early as possible and check for alternatives.

Travel search engine Kayak recently added search results for car-sharing sites like Turo and Kyte.

Tip: If you’re looking to go electric with your rental, you’re better off trying the car-share sites.

Other interesting news

Speedier boarding process – Delta is testing out the idea of free checked bags to reduce carry-ons. Anyone else having flashbacks?

International travel with kids? Here’s how one parent has done 14 transatlantic flights with small humans and says you can too.

Fully vaccinated and craving a northern escape? It’s finally getting easier to travel to Canada.

Disney is changing their mask policies. Fully vaccinated guests are no longer required to wear face covers indoors or out.

Want to wake up to fresh croissants? France is no longer requiring pre-departure testing for vaccinated and boosted travelers

Not again! Rude and disruptive passengers continue to plague the airline industry.

The post Protect Your Cash, Buy Travel Now appeared first on CoverTrip.

The period between Christmas and New Year’s day is typically one of the most expensive times to fly. Because everyone wants to travel at the same time, and airlines only have so many seats, the prices go up–sometimes by as much as 55%!

What is different this year is last-minute deals may pop up throughout the season because while demand for flights is up, purchases are still below normal (aka pre-pandemic times).Here’s what you need to know to buy a cheap ticket for Christmas this year.

Great news for procrastinators

Even though travel intent has been increasing, there is still a gap in actual ticket purchases. According to Hopper, around 2 million people will fly this Christmas, which is double 2020 numbers but only 80% of the travelers in 2019.

Typically, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to book because airline prices go up the closer you get to the date. That’s true of most years, but this year isn’t like most and lately there have been a lot more last-minute fares than in the past.

More importantly, the airlines are striving to maximize their profits by putting butts in seats. Almost consistently, they’re dealing with emptier-than-they’d-like flights by slashing fares closer to the time of departure.

What is ‘last-minute’ this year?

In normal times, airlines increase the fares inside the 21-day window prior to departure because they can get more money out of travelers who have to travel. Those are usually business travelers who will pay the ticket at any price. With business travel at all-time lows, those predictable price jumps may be sidelined this year.

Tips to get a cheap flight this Christmas

If you haven’t already booked your Christmas trip this year, don’t panic. If cheap is your priority:

1. Go international. International flights are significantly lower this year and with travelers finally allowed back in the US, seats are opening up on the return trips.
2. Choose different dates. Christmas Eve is on a Friday this year so most people will travel the Wednesday before and return on Sunday. Be flexible with your travel dates and you’ll have more options.
3. Check premium class. With business travel mostly grounded right now, airlines have some pretty great deals in business class. Prices for a lie-flat seat aren’t much more than you’d pay for regular economy and seats are open.
4. Fly at odd times. Most people don’t want to do the work to get to the airport at 5 am or 11 pm, but those are the flights that cost less. Fly at unpopular times and you’ll save.
5. Check alternative airports. If there is another airport within a few hours drive, you can save quite a bit.
6. Set alerts. Use your favorite fare searching tool (see our list below) to help you hunt for fares and set alerts so you can move quickly when you find one.

Best Sites for Finding Cheap Flights

If finding a cheap plane ticket is your top priority, use the strategies above and both of the following websites:

• Google flights – let you select up to seven departure and arrival locations at a time, helping you find cheap flights at alternative airports. Using the date grid feature helps you quickly see which days offer the best fares.
  • Cons: Google flights does not show all airlines (like Southwest) and is sometimes guilty of ghosting (showing flights that are not available).
  • See Scott’s recommendations for how to use Google flights.
• Momondo – a mainstay in the cheap flight community, it searches some online travel agencies not covered by Google flights so it can sometimes unearth fares Google doesn’t show.
  • Cons: Momondo isn’t as good as Google at searching across a range of dates and it can be slower.
  • See Scott’s recommendations for how to use Momondo.

Neither of these sites sells tickets like Kayak or Expedia will, but booking directly with the airline means working directly with them if things go wonky. Plus, you can negotiate without the extra layer of complication when it comes to cancelations and delays.

Other interesting news

Will work for travel – Actress Susan Sarandon shares the early acting jobs she took just to be able to travel.

Holiday travel scams – the FBI says beware of these travel scams during the upcoming holidays.

Baggage tracker – Why AirTags are the ultimate travel gift this holiday season.

Where are you going next year? National Geographic releases its list of top places to go in 2022 for every type of traveler.

Bold change is coming – meet the 8 female entrepreneurs who are changing the travel industry.

The post Tips for Finding Cheap Christmas Flights appeared first on CoverTrip.

Unwitting travelers constantly overpay for all kinds of things, often in the form of pesky fees. Fees that are hidden in the process of booking or snuck in when a traveler wants something ‘extra’.

When you book a flight, you pay for the cost in two parts: the face value of the ticket (this is often the lure that hooks you) and the fees. Sometimes, the sum of an airline ticket’s fees can cost more than the fare itself!

Make no mistake, airlines are constantly marketing their lowest ticket prices so they appear at the top of travel searches. Knowing about the hidden fees, what airlines have them, and how to get around them can help you plan better for your next flight.

Note: Most airlines have eliminated change fees on most fares thanks to the pandemic, so change fees are not included in this list.

Here are the sneakiest airline fees and how to get around them.

Booking over the phone

Speaking to a person to book your flight will cost you. Many airlines charge a fee to book a flight over the phone or in-person. Booking your tickets with an agent on the phone can cost you an extra $25-$35 per ticket.

Tip: Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines even charge customers to book through their website. The fee is called an Electronic Carrier Usage Charge or a Carrier Interface Charge and it can cost you an extra $4 – $21 per person. 

How to get around it: If online booking isn’t your thing, and you want to speak with a person, try working with a travel agent. They can do the research and you can talk with them over the phone or in person.

Choosing your seat

Many airlines now charge passengers a fee to select their seat in advance. Spirit Airlines starts charging at $5 and you’ll pay more for a window, aisle, or extra legroom seat. 

Seat selection fees are most often found on budget airlines and basic economy flights.

How to get around it: Choose to fly a class above basic economy or fly on an airline that lets you sit anywhere, like Southwest. Although be wary of Southwest’s new early bird check-in which lets travelers choose their place in line to board the plane and amounts to the same outcome as paying to choose your seat.

Using loyalty points

This one is most irking because travelers should be rewarded for loyalty. In some situations, airlines charge customers to redeem and use their frequent flyer miles. You may pay a fee to book a miles flight using the help of an agent or when you’re booking a flight that’s coming up soon. American and United charge $75 to book a flight with miles when the flight is less than 21 days out. 

Some airlines will also charge a fee to cancel a ticket booked with miles.

How to get around it: Book your flights with miles early and do it online yourself. Watch out though: Spirit charges a fee for tickets booked more than 180 days prior to departure if you’re using miles.

Checking luggage

Long gone are the days of free checked bags (except if you fly on Southwest) and the price to check a bag can add to the overall cost of your ticket.

How to get around it: Select a first- or business-class ticket or use an airline credit card to book your flight. Many airline credit cards include free checked luggage as a perk.

Carry-on bags

Not all airlines let you bring one carry-on bag for free, but it typically depends on the type of ticket you purchased and the size of the bag. American Airlines and United, for example, changed the rules for basic economy passengers. You’ll pay an extra $25 for each full-sized carry-on bag (essentially any luggage that will only fit in the overhead bin). 

Carry-on fees are most often found on budget airlines and basic economy flights.

How to get around it: Select a fare above basic economy or pack very lightly.

Food and beverages

Traditionally, airlines offered passengers complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in economy class and charged extra for the booze. Some carriers now charge even for non-alcoholic drinks.

Again, free drinks usually cost extra on budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit.

How to get around it: Bring your own snacks and refillable water bottles. Initially, they’ll take up space in your carry-on but at least you’ll save some cash.

Airline fees are a constantly changing headache and they’re here to stay because they make the airlines billions of dollars every year. We didn’t cover all the fees here either. If you want Wi-Fi, water, or even a pillow on some airlines that will cost you extra. Savvy travelers take advantage of the ‘a la carte’ approach by both understanding and opting out of the more ludicrous fees.

Other interesting news

• Stuck in transit? The US airlines most likely to delay or cancel your flight, according to a new study.
• Faster and cleaner – United Airlines just announced a major step toward supersonic flights, slicing international trip time in half and cutting emissions at the same time.
• Travel sized. Brilliant travel hack that lets you carry your favorite perfume without the bulky bottle.
• Are they worth it? Here are 10 travel memberships that are worth the money for every type of traveler.

The post How to avoid hidden airline fees appeared first on CoverTrip.

The travel news this week is all about thousands of canceled flights into and out of the US. Starting last weekend and into the beginning of the week, all eyes were on FlightAware’s live flight data. In particular, the Misery Map’s live visualization lived up to its name showing the ripple effect across the nation’s airports.

Canceling that many flights can mean days to more than a week before passengers are finally routed to their destinations. The following snapshot was taken on November 2nd and it’s clear that travel was still backed up.

According to the airlines, these are the reasons behind the flight cancellations:

• SkyWest canceled over 600 due to a technical glitch.
• American Airlines canceled more than 1,800 due to bad weather which shut down major hubs and left flight crews out of position.
• Southwest canceled more than 2,000 blaming air traffic control issues and limited staffing in addition to bad weather.

Interesting to note that vaccine mandates were not included in the official airline statements.

As travel picks up, it’s helpful to review what you should do when the airline cancels your flight. 

What happens when a flight is canceled?

Ultimately, the carrier is not legally obligated to get you on the flight you originally booked. Their contract stipulates they will get you from the origin on your ticket to the destination on your ticket, even if it’s on a different day.

When your flight is canceled, you’ll end up with one of these options:

1. a refund
2. a travel voucher or credit
3. rebooking with or without a change fee

If your flight is canceled by the airline and you choose not to rebook, you are entitled to a refund. In some cases, you’ll receive a travel voucher or credit instead.

Here’s what to do when your flight is canceled and you want to rebook.

1. Ask to be booked on another airline

If your flight is canceled, the airline can put you on another flight with another carrier. Most airlines will rebook you on another flight without incurring change fees or having to pay the fare difference when the cancelation is their fault. 

When an entire plane of travelers—or hundreds of planes—are trying to rebook at the same time, there can be significant delays and you may have better luck calling the other carrier’s customer service line than waiting in line with other passengers.

Note: Southwest doesn’t have an interline agreement with other airlines, which further complicates things if you’re flying on that airline.

2. Ask for the next confirmed seat

This strategy works best when you are at your home airport or have a place to stay while you wait. When airlines rebook you on the next flight, many times that means you’re on standby. 

When a lot of travelers are in the same pickle, you could be waiting a significant amount of time for an available seat. If you give up, you’ll lose your place in line on the waiting list.

If you have some flexibility in your schedule, you can ask to be rolled over to the next flight instead of playing the standby wait game for what could be days. Just make sure that the airline can confirm you’ll have a seat and get a printed ticket.

3. Ask for food and lodging vouchers

Free food and lodging may make you feel better but know that the airline is not legally required to provide them. When you get to speak to an agent, that’s the time to ask for them. Some air carriers have a short window in which to give out vouchers so it’s best to ask early.

Karma points: Even if you end up not using the vouchers, you can always pass them on to another unlucky passenger.

4. Access your loyalty and rewards programs

Some offer compensation for cancelations and delays as part of the benefits. Some loyalty and rewards programs give you access to the airport lounge with your same-day boarding pass and ID. There you can get free food, drinks, and WiFi plus private restrooms and cozy chairs.

Tip: Ask the airline agent for access to the lounge when you reschedule your flight.

If you purchased travel insurance, check the plan’s benefits and call the customer service number for support. 

Other interesting news

Supporting black-owned businesses – A new app makes it easy to find black-owned businesses wherever you travel.

Welcome back to New Zealand – one of the most cautiously closed nations (and the most successful at stopping COVID) is easing travel restrictions.

Got travel vouchers? The time is coming to redeem them, here’s how.

Need to find a COVID test while traveling? The gang at Scott’s Cheap Flights have the latest advice.

For the travel lovers on your gift list – Gifting the travel lover this holiday just got easier with this list of 35 travel-themed gifts they’ll want.

The post Top Strategies for Canceled Flights appeared first on CoverTrip.