Early Planning Benefits The Holiday Traveler

(NewsUSA) - Travel experts are predicting steep increases in airline fuel surcharges and fees for flight-related services that once came free, such as checked bags and soft drinks. To offset high fuel costs, airlines are trimming flight schedules by a combined 9 percent, meaning more people will be vying for fewer seats this holiday season.

This perfect storm will affect holiday travelers who are already being squeezed at the grocery store and gas station, but holiday travel doesn't have to cause migraines. Travelers just need to know where and how to find better prices. Kayak.com, the world's largest travel search engine, offers these tips for stress-free holiday travel:

- Book early to get the lowest price. Holiday airfare is already more than 25 percent higher than last year. As planes fill up, remaining seats will quickly get more expensive.

- Avoid rush hour in the skies. Flying on off-peak days around the holidays can be more than $100 cheaper per ticket, which really adds up for a family of four. You can save a bundle by traveling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Avoid returning over the weekend, and opt for flights on Monday or Tuesday.

- Forget customer loyalty. Frequent flier miles aren't as valuable as they used to be, so book with another carrier if it means a deal. Many low-cost carriers fly into less-expensive airports like Burbank or Long Beach instead of LAX. What they save in airport fees, they pass on to you -; the customer.

- Track fares. Most travel sites offer fare alerts via e-mail, and Kayak.com offers a free fare-alert tracker that will send you e-mails daily or weekly when flights to and from your desired destinations -; and within your ideal travel dates -; are available in the price range that you select.

- The total cost of a flight doesn't always end with the ticket purchase. To help travelers calculate how much their trip will really cost, Kayak.com provides an airline-fee chart on the results page that allows travelers to easily view and compare an airline's policy for luggage, in-flight food and beverage and other fees in one location.

- Avoid the pull-out couch. Kayak.com's hotel search feature makes it easy for you to find a hotel within your budget that's as close to -; or far away from -; your in-laws' house as you'd like to be. Simply input in your holiday host's home address and instantly view several hotel options on a Google map for easy selection.

For additional holiday travel tips and to start saving on travel, visit www.kayak.com.

"Article By: NewsUSA"