2024 Trends for Frequent Fliers: In 2024, frequent flyer programs will differ from those of prior years. Passengers who are on a budget will be pleased to see a return to low-cost flight options; however, be wary of additional charges that could significantly reduce your travel funds.
To gain insight into the prospects for frequent travelers in the coming year, Sandra Block, senior editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, interviewed Katy Nastro. Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), a subscription service that notifies travelers of airfare discounts, employs Ms. Nasto as a travel expert.
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Frequent fliers: the summer travel season in 2024
What is the forecast for the summer travel season of 2024?
We do not foresee significant airfare increases in 2024. There will be no return to pandemic lows in airfare when a round-trip ticket to Europe costs approximately $200. However, we expect agreements that have been absent for a significant period to return. As an illustration, Going.com recently uncovered a round-trip fare of $399 from Phoenix to Madrid, which had been unavailable for more than a year. Nevertheless, a promotion that was previously accessible for a duration of five days may vanish within a span of only one to two days.
Book that airline-directly-booked flight if the price is extremely reasonable and you find it to be an excellent bargain. However, keep in mind that you have 24 hours from the time of booking to request a refund, so you’re not locked in.
What are the costs?
Throughout the pandemic, many airlines eliminated flight-change fees to entice apprehensive passengers to fly. Do you anticipate their reinstatement by airlines? Furthermore, are increases in cargo fees anticipated?
Analysts hypothesized that change fees would return once the industry recovered from the pandemic. However, they have not yet. In 2024, we do not anticipate any airlines to reinstate change fees for standard economy tickets. Purchasing a base economy ticket, however, will almost always incur a change fee.
The majority of U.S. airlines impose a bag levy of approximately $30 for the initial checked bag during domestic air travel. This year, we anticipate that at least two carriers will raise that price to $35. According to the data, even a marginal increase in baggage fees can generate a substantial quantity of revenue for airlines; the last time major carriers increased fees was in 2018.
Strategies for Conquering the Crowds
You anticipate that the number of air travelers will reach an all-time high this year. What recommendations do you have for passengers who are likely to encounter lengthy lines at the airport?
This is the year to enroll in TSA PreCheck, an expedited security screening program, if you do not already have it. It is valid for five years, so even if you only fly once a year, the $78 annual fee for first-time enrollees is well worth it. Traveling with less anxiety is accomplished by avoiding security lines that run for an hour or longer.
Those with some flexibility and an interest in inexpensive airfare should travel in the spring or after Labor Day. September is an ideal time to travel to Europe. Consider departing during the initial two weeks of June or the final two weeks of August, when airfares may be as much as 30 percent less expensive than during the height of summer.
Apply those miles and points
Delta Air Lines altered the structure of its frequent-flier miles a year ago, diminishing their value for a number of loyal customers. Do you anticipate similar behavior from other airlines this year?
Over the last decade or so, airlines have begun to prioritize rewarding customers based on their spending habits rather than their flight volume. Delta turned back a number of its modifications in response to the backlash it received, but the benefits are still more expensive to obtain. Although the likelihood that another major airline will follow suit is uncertain, if you have points and miles lying around, attempt to use them up this year rather than hoarding them, as they will likely lose some of their value in the future.
Concerning Alaska Airlines…
The $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines is contingent on the U.S. Department of Justice’s sanction. How might the merger affect the prices for travel to places served by those airlines?
Scott Keyes, the proprietor of Going.com, accurately predicted that the Justice Department would block JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit last year. Even though this administration is not particularly amenable to mergers, regulators will probably approve this merger. Even if this merger fully materializes, it is unlikely that it will have a significant impact on airfares within the following year due to the drawn-out process.
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