Act fast and save money on airfares

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - If you're thinking about taking a trip this summer you may not want to wait any longer to book your plane ticket.

Acting now will save you in the long run. Acting fast will save you a lot of money in the end especially if you're planning on travelling this summer. That's because demand is higher during the summer months, so airfare can go nowhere but up.

Airline passengers are landing some amazing deals. Liz Stewart paid half as much as usual for her roundtrip. Travelers are booking roundtrip San Francisco to Brazil, and London for under $500.

But the experts said, don't expect these deals to last into the summer travel season. United Airlines just reported it lost $382 million since the start of the year. Delta, more than twice that amount. Airlines just can't afford to cut prices any lower.

Adam Meron from Mobissimo.com said, "I think they are at rock bottom. If you find a good airfare or hotel, now is the time to act. Meron with travel search site Mobissimo.com said airlines are cutting back on service in mid-sized cities.

Fuel contracts are expiring so airlines are having to lock in new deals just as oil prices are climbing again. All of this means they've got to make it up over the summer.

That $276 round trip between SFO and Honolulu in May will jump to $454 in July, and those added fees? Expect more of them.

"They are still getting you on little things like $15 to check a bag. I packed heavy to get every cent worth," said passenger Liz Stewart. 

As Stewart drags away her two bags in one, Lance Jacobs shuffles through security, expecting a crowded flight.

He said finding nonstop flights for future travel is getting harder, and the flight's he's able to book are more expensive.

Passenger Lance Jacobs said, "In the past I've gone nonstop everywhere but now I'm making a lot of connections."

There are so many travel web sites out there, Travelocity, Orbitz, Cheapoair.com and that's just to name a few, and experts are saying, to research pricing now more than ever, not only on airfare but also on hotel prices. In fact experts are saying to go as far as calling the hotel personally and bargaining a better deal.

You can also find the latest travel information, including airline contact information here on our web site under the traffic tab.