You (and your wallet) might have noticed, as we round the corner on year 2 of the pandemic, oil prices have really started to climb. And while you may be feeling it at the pump, another major industry is also bracing for these increasing fuel costs: airlines. For the past several months, jet fuel prices have been steadily going up. And as fuel contracts renew (airlines buy jet fuel much like homeowners with oil heating do), that increased cost is going to start impacting the price of summer airfare. Which is why we’re recommending those looking to book summer trips start the process now, to potentially avoid a later price spike.
Steve Hafner, our CEO here at KAYAK, recently noted that, “Travel will likely cost more this spring and summer from pent-up demand. KAYAK search data shows flight prices up 21% for domestic travel over spring break. There are still deals to be found, but people should plan their trips soon to get them.” You heard the man. If you already have a summer trip in mind, it’s likely better to book now (with flexible options, perhaps) than wait.
Ways to save on summer travel now
If you’ve decided to go ahead and book your travel now before prices rise even further, here are some of our favorite cost-saving travel tools that can help you nail down your summer vacay without breaking the bank:
- Flights on the rocks, please.
Still coordinating with your family about that annual beach trip? You don’t have to wait on them to book your flights, just use our Price Freeze feature. With this tool, you can “freeze” an entire set of flight search results for up to 14 days for a small fee. This could save you money on airfare while you finalize your vacation plans. - Pay for your trip over time.
If your sights are set on a certain destination but your gas tank is holding you back, take advantage of our different payment options. We partnered with Uplift to give travelers more ways to pay for their trips with interest-free monthly installments for select flights. That way, you can solidify your plans and lock in a cheaper fare without overwhelming your credit card. - Know when to book.
As one of our most popular features, Price Alerts help save money by notifying you if/when prices change for a flight or hotel. If the price on the flight you’re eyeing drops, you’ll get a KAYAK alert so you know you can lock in that new price, instantly saving both time and money. - Consider booking an electric vehicle.
When searching for a car rental, take advantage of search filters to easily sort by eco-friendly ride options including the ability to sort by hybrid and electric vehicles, which can save you some money on gas.
With flight prices up about 15 percent this week compared to 2019, we’d recommend planning for summer 2022 travel right about…now. Even if you’re not sure how you want to spend your vacation days, taking the time to figure out your plans now could save you money later.
*To determine the increase in flight prices, KAYAK considered flight searches over the last week (March 2 – March 8) for summer travel (May 26 – September 6) compared to the same time period in 2019.
