Air travel, prices, Vacations

We noted this today from Seattle newspapers: Major American carriers, including Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have boosted round-trip fares by $20. Delta and US Airways started the trend, the first broad fare increase this year, with separate increases on June 10. "Domestic airlines have been searching for a bottom the past six months, and it appears this hike, along with a slowdown in domestic airfare sales, is the first sign that a bottom may be near this quarter," said Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com.

This is a reminder that you need to book your trip (now) early and hold lower fares, even for later this year. Gas, I note, is going up (again), airfare is going up (again), it won't be long before the other components go up as well !!

European fares are still low. Get a group of people together and go rent a villa for a week or two, take advantage of specials and off season prices beginning in September until middle of December/