Comments on: Why high gas prices could cut your vacation costs http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Aimee http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-14429 Aimee Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:17:48 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5196#comment-14429 Chris- This is a good concept. I even agree with a lot of what you say. However, there are a few things that I have to respectfully disagree with. 1. Jasper pointed out that 'average domestic airfares' are worthless. I have to agree. I live in the Midwest, where I have access to 3 local airports within an hour of me, none of which are very small, as major airlines fly regional flights into them. However, if I want to drive to a 'major airport' I have a 5 hour drive in any direction. A flight from my local airport to San Diego cost me $360 last October. If I wanted to fly this October for the same weekend, it would be $590. Where does that figure in the average domestic airfare? The average domestic airfare only applies if you live in Chicago, New York City, or close enough to a major airport to make the drive worth it. 2. A lot of the things you listed are POTENTIAL good things. As of right now, a lot of people have been completely priced out of a vacation that takes them out of their hometown. I have not seen any hotel rates decrease yet (yes, I check my fav sites regularly). When I rented a car a week ago, there was $4 difference between the smallest car and the largest car, so I would argue the "cheapest" label. You just pick the amount of room and gas you want to pay. It cost the same to rent any car right now. If you are upper middle class or higher, you are probably ok waiting for these changes to happen. Anyone in middle class or below is wishing they could go somewhere for a vacation but can't afford it. How is that good? BTW, a lot of people can't afford to buy new hybrids or new BMW motorcycles. I'm glad the people that can afford it are buying responsible vehicles. However, once again the people that don't have excessive money laying around are stuck in their big, old car, trying desperately to find someone to car pool. Just thought I should point out that your argument is not helping half of the country. But it sure is a nice thought. Chris-

This is a good concept. I even agree with a lot of what you say. However, there are a few things that I have to respectfully disagree with.

1. Jasper pointed out that ‘average domestic airfares’ are worthless. I have to agree. I live in the Midwest, where I have access to 3 local airports within an hour of me, none of which are very small, as major airlines fly regional flights into them. However, if I want to drive to a ‘major airport’ I have a 5 hour drive in any direction. A flight from my local airport to San Diego cost me $360 last October. If I wanted to fly this October for the same weekend, it would be $590. Where does that figure in the average domestic airfare? The average domestic airfare only applies if you live in Chicago, New York City, or close enough to a major airport to make the drive worth it.

2. A lot of the things you listed are POTENTIAL good things. As of right now, a lot of people have been completely priced out of a vacation that takes them out of their hometown. I have not seen any hotel rates decrease yet (yes, I check my fav sites regularly). When I rented a car a week ago, there was $4 difference between the smallest car and the largest car, so I would argue the “cheapest” label. You just pick the amount of room and gas you want to pay. It cost the same to rent any car right now. If you are upper middle class or higher, you are probably ok waiting for these changes to happen. Anyone in middle class or below is wishing they could go somewhere for a vacation but can’t afford it. How is that good?

BTW, a lot of people can’t afford to buy new hybrids or new BMW motorcycles. I’m glad the people that can afford it are buying responsible vehicles. However, once again the people that don’t have excessive money laying around are stuck in their big, old car, trying desperately to find someone to car pool.

Just thought I should point out that your argument is not helping half of the country. But it sure is a nice thought.

]]> By: Jasper http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-14394 Jasper Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:58:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5196#comment-14394 I have to keep protesting your comparing of "average domestic airfares" through time. The average ticket price is simply not a decent way of looking at airline cost anymore. You have to include all the surcharges and fees that airlines "unbundled" out of the ticket price. Does this make comparison harder? Yes. But focusing only on ticket pricing is exactly what airlines want. As long as people/press/the gov't only focuses on those numbers, airlines are getting away with massive hidden price increases. In the supermarket it's called the 'shrink ray', in the airline industry it's 'unbundling', but overall, it's just a hidden price increase. I have to keep protesting your comparing of “average domestic airfares” through time. The average ticket price is simply not a decent way of looking at airline cost anymore. You have to include all the surcharges and fees that airlines “unbundled” out of the ticket price. Does this make comparison harder? Yes. But focusing only on ticket pricing is exactly what airlines want. As long as people/press/the gov’t only focuses on those numbers, airlines are getting away with massive hidden price increases. In the supermarket it’s called the ‘shrink ray’, in the airline industry it’s ‘unbundling’, but overall, it’s just a hidden price increase.

]]> By: Chicky http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-14359 Chicky Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:41:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5196#comment-14359 Since I'm always a little leery of what I'll get, I rarely do Priceline for a hotel room. However, I've used the Hotwire/Priceline combo on several occasions for rental cars. It seems to work. I can usually get a good deal. Since I’m always a little leery of what I’ll get, I rarely do Priceline for a hotel room. However, I’ve used the Hotwire/Priceline combo on several occasions for rental cars. It seems to work. I can usually get a good deal.

]]> By: Jim J http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-14353 Jim J Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:55:37 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5196#comment-14353 It is interesting that you mention the check Hotwire, bid Priceline combination. I have been doing this for several years. This coming weekend, my wife and I are going to Chicago and want to stay in the downtown area to be able to use public transportation avoid renting a car. The best rate for a three or four star hotel on Orbitz or Travelocity was $199 per night. I checked Hotwire and found a four star property for $102. I then went to Priceline and bid four stars for $82 (20% less than Hotwire). We'll be staying at the Chicago Hyatt Regency for three nights at $82 per night. It is a simple strategy, but very effective. It is interesting that you mention the check Hotwire, bid Priceline combination. I have been doing this for several years. This coming weekend, my wife and I are going to Chicago and want to stay in the downtown area to be able to use public transportation avoid renting a car. The best rate for a three or four star hotel on Orbitz or Travelocity was $199 per night. I checked Hotwire and found a four star property for $102. I then went to Priceline and bid four stars for $82 (20% less than Hotwire). We’ll be staying at the Chicago Hyatt Regency for three nights at $82 per night. It is a simple strategy, but very effective.

]]> By: Steve Surjaputra http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/why-high-gas-prices-could-cut-your-vacation-costs/comment-page-1/#comment-14350 Steve Surjaputra Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:37:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5196#comment-14350 I'll have to agree with you, Chris. I'm staying away from the legacys as much as I can. On my upcoming trip to Orlando, I found a great fare on Southwest from LAX to Orlando, so I booked that instead of Delta or US Airways. I’ll have to agree with you, Chris. I’m staying away from the legacys as much as I can. On my upcoming trip to Orlando, I found a great fare on Southwest from LAX to Orlando, so I booked that instead of Delta or US Airways.

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