Falling Fares
Record Losses Have Airlines Scrambling

American and Delta are not alone. Visit the Web site of any major airline, and you'll find large numbers of deals.

Always dreamed of visiting Europe? Now might be the time! (c) 1999 Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com, Inc.

At United, where their second quarter losses totaled $292 million, a hiring freeze went into effect, and they're not replacing non-essential employees who leave on their own.

United offers reduced fares from its Chicago hub. Tickets can be purchased seven days in advance, and no Saturday stay is required.

This trend is not limited to U.S. carriers. One example: British Airways is offering low fares for autumn, including a $139 USD one-way fare between New York and London.

Beginning to see a pattern?

Use the Internet, But Be Cautious

In recent weeks, there have been scores of news stories about how airlines are capping travel agent commissions. Airlines clearly want you to use the Internet, thus freeing up employees assigned to book reservations the old-fashioned way.

With a travel agent, accidental clicks that buy a non-refundable ticket for the wrong day are not a problem.

But you also should know airlines are knocking an additional 10 percent from sale fares when you book online.

With that in mind, a few tips for shopping and buying in this time of airline hand-wringing:

Check all dates carefully.

The airlines are offering a lot of one-day or limited-time offerings right now. That $200 coast-to-coast fare might not be so attractive if you must buy today and travel next Friday. Frequently, sale fares come with blackout dates during popular travel times like holidays. While you're at it, read all the fine print. Sometimes the restrictions on these fares make a buy impractical.

Sign up for email notification.

The airlines will send you their specials each week. If you're shopping, this is welcomed information. If you're not, they'll stop the notifications upon request.

Check our special offers pages frequently.

About's Budget Travel has links to roughly 40 airline Internet sites around the world. These links usually go directly to the airlines "special offer" pages. They bear watching even more closely than usual this autumn.

Now is the time for Europe.

If you've always wanted to go, there are probably more good fares now than we've seen for a while. Shoulder season or off-season (between the peak periods) is a good time to go. It should be even better this year.

Happy Shopping!

Meteorologists are getting better at telling us where tornadoes will touch down, but they still can't guarantee an exact spot or time.

They are good (usually) at pointing out when conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop.

Likewise, we can't predict with certainty that the airline industry will make this an autumn of awesome deals, but conditions are favorable.

Armed with that knowledge, go out there and find a bargain!

About Budget Travel resources:
Airfare Search
Airline Sites
Deals of the Week

From Other Guides:
Air Travel: Current Deals
Business Travel Basics
Go Caribbean: Airfare Deals

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