Economy Affecting Travel

I am seeing a huge drop in airline tickets. Right now my husband and I could fly to Frankfurt for $1000 next September. Last year it was $1600. (and I watched prices for a full year waiting for a drop that never came) It reminds me of 2002 and 2003 when airlines were dropping prices after 9/11. Beyond that I am skeptical of being able to save much on a trip to Europe. I think when we read about HUGE savings- it is a $400 a night hotel "giving rooms away" at $200. Since my budget is $100 a night that does not help me much. While I may snag a bargain here or there, I don't think most the places I stay can afford to drop their prices. I do think this may be a good year to go to Disneyworld or stay at a nice resort in Hawaii.

The ticket prices I quotes ($1000 versus 1600) were for 2 people.

Early indications are that this is going to be a horrible year for the travel industry. Look for great deals.( And lots of bankruptcies.)

Deals are already be offered for summer travel. Even RS is discounting some of his tours and they usually sell out early. He admitted in an early letter it was going to be a tough year.

But for those who can afford to travel, look for the deals.

Hello Lucy. As for the "better deals" for travel in 2009, I do not know. I am saying to my friends who want to go on their first trip to Europe this year : if you see a price that you like , for airline tickets for flying to Europe, I suggest that you buy the tickets when you see it at that price. The airlines can not afford to offer low prices every week, for flying to Europe in the month May (for example). And, next month, or next week, airline tickets may not be available for the flight route and schedules (departure times and arrival times) that people want. Tickets for a specific flight on a specific date (for seats in the "coach" section in an airplane) can be sold out soon, and an airline might eliminate some flights, for some days. This topic was discussed, by many people, in this Traveller's Helpline/General Europe, during the past several months. Some of those people, having knowledge of this topic, may decide to not post any reply on that topic here, because they did that before. I think replies to this kind of question, posted during the past several months here, can be read, from the Archives in this web site. Many people posting questions and replies at this Traveller's Helpline, including me, will fly to Europe this year, for free, using Frequent Flyer miles. I acquired American Airlines tickets (Electronic) for flying to PARIS, for free. I paid a Tax of 70. U.S. Dollars for those airline tickets. (I am not complaining about paying that Tax).// Some days when not many Americans are in a city in Europe, many European people are there that day, if it is a Holiday or special day, causing the hotels and restaurants to be full, and the prices there are not likely to be low for those days.

2008 wasn't all that great either. My own personal gauge of how many people are doing long distance travel, is by noticing how full the long-term parking lots are at my "regular" airport: Newark. I took two trips to Europe last summer, and the P6 lot was only half full with the second lot (P7) completely shut down. In years past both lots would be near capacity. I also noticed crowds at major tourist sites in Europe were a bit thin (not that I'm complaining), it seemed like I was traveling during the shoulder season instead of high-summer.

"If less people travel, will there be better deals out there for travel in 2009?" Almost certainly. Because they advertise their deals so publicly, you can almost view Disney World as the bellweather for the travel industry at large. I usually stay for free with family in Europe, so I haven't looked at hotel rates recently, but I'm sure you'll start seeing some pretty nice bargains.