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Consumerist: Travel

Consumerist posts tagged 'Travel'

What Would $40 A Barrel Oil Mean For Travelers?Yesterday

Oil is now nearing a 4-year low as the world's economic crisis keeps on truckin', says the Wall Street Journal. Light, sweet crude (don't you just love that term?) is now trading at 44.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. "The price was the lowest since January 2005 and more than $100 below oil's record close July 3," says the WSJ. So, what does that mean for travelers?

Christopher Elliott has a few ideas, here's our favorite. It's the return of the road trip!:

Here come the drivers! The Transportation Department has been complaining about a shortfall in road tax revenue. Wait until next summer, when a lot of pent-up demand to hit the road sees hundreds of thousands of vehicles unleashed on American highways.

See the USA in your Chevrolet... (before they no longer make Chevrolets...)

With oil prices spiraling toward $40 a barrel mark, what does that mean for travelers? [Tripso]
(Photo: improbcat )

Airline Passengers Stranded For 9 HoursDecember 3

200 passengers were held captive for 9 hours on the tarmac outside LA this week. TACA Airlines blamed fuel delays, lack of staff, and fog. As they waited, they were fed water and crackers. [FOX] (Thanks to Justin!) (Photo: Getty)

US Airways Says $15 First Checked Bag Fee Is A Huge SuccessDecember 2

US Airways CEO Doug "OK To Drive" Parker says that US Airways new $15 fee for the first checked bag is a huge success. It's caused a 20% drop in checked luggage — which has improved baggage handling performance — all while adding revenue during a tough time for airlines.

From MarketWatch:

"It's helping us all to run better operations," Parker said. The new fee at US Airways accounts for most of the $400 million to $500 million in annual revenue for services, he said.

Are You OK With The Baggage Fee Yet?
( surveys)

US Airways' new baggage fees help improve performance [MarketWatch]
(Photo: zonaphoto )

American Airlines Charges Fees To Non-PassengersDecember 1

In an attempt to improve margins during tough times, American Airlines will now charge fees to non-passengers, The Onion reports. (Thanks to ubermex!) (Photo: joyosity)

Airfares Sinking Due To Lack Of DemandNovember 26

The crappy economy is taking its toll on airfares. Demand is sinking taking airfares with it, says USAToday.

To assess the fare sales, FareCompare.com on Sunday analyzed airfares for the 25 most-traveled domestic routes in the continental USA.

On more than half the routes, non-stop coach tickets were available for travel on Dec. 10 for less than $220 round trip.

Prices were higher for travel closer to Christmas but still relatively inexpensive. For travel on Dec. 24 and returning five days later, for example, non-stop tickets were available on most routes for less than $270 round trip.

"Those holiday prices would have been double eight to 12 weeks ago," Seaney says.

Ray Neidl, an industry analyst for Calyon Securities, says passenger demand is "down sharply" because of the weak economy.

Just because fares are going down, however, doesn't mean you'll be saving any money. Many fares, while cheaper than they were a few months ago, are still higher than last year — and the new airline fees appear to be here to stay.

A passenger with a $200 ticket may pay up to $80 more round trip for two checked bags — a 40% increase on what they paid a year ago, USAToday points out.