Hey, at Least Travel Costs Are Plunging

(NEWSER) - If you’re planning on flying this summer, book your tickets now. After a long period of dropping fares and constant sales, prices went up earlier this month and appear likely to keep rising throughout the summer, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I think for the consumer, it’s as good as we’re going to get right now,” said the CEO of FareCompare.com. More»

Ugly economy pushes demand down, along with price of fuel

(NEWSER) - With many consumers too concerned about their wallets to make pricey trips, airlines are, for the first time in memory, lowering prices before the holidays, the Chicago Tribune reports. The reversal of convention is allowing late buyers to scrounge tickets for as much as $200 less than travelers who locked in prices over the summer, when fares reflected much higher oil prices, the San Jose Mercury News adds. More»

Declining demand, dropping oil prices likely to bring prices down

(NEWSER) - The slumping economy may bring some good to the travel industry: Domestic airfare and hotel rates could fall next year as strapped individuals and companies think twice about globetrotting. A slash in oil prices, down to half of summer’s record high, has also brought airlines relief, Reuters reports. In its annual forecast, American Express sees declining demand as travel budgets become a “boardroom issue.” More»

Thanks to Virgin America, ticket prices dip as fuel prices soar

(NEWSER) - Even as fuel prices soar, Los Angeles airline passengers are enjoying an old-fashioned fare war sparked by newcomer Virgin America, the LA Times reports. Sir Richard Branson's brainchild has drawn United, Alaska, Southwest, and even longtime LAX holdout JetBlue into a feud that's seen one-way fares as low as $44. "We've become a hotbed of competition," says an airport exec. More»

Hotties pack these towns named by Travel & Leisure

(NEWSER) - If you want to see the most beautiful people in America, head to Miami or San Diego. That's what Travel & Leisure's readers think. Here are the 10 cities with the most head-turners:

1. Miami
2. San Diego
3. Charleston, S.C.