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Thanksgiving bargains are still out there

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: October 31, 2009

TAMPA - Those who spent the Fourth of July watching fireworks rather than booking early - and less expensive - holiday airfares might still find a Thanksgiving travel bargain.

One key will be to pay close attention, as always, to bargain fares on Thanksgiving morning and the Tuesday after the holiday to avoid the most popular travel dates, said Travelocity contributing editor Jennifer Gaines.

A new issue for travelers to take into consideration is that nearly all airlines have added or increased fees for checked baggage this year that can add $100 or more to a trip.
Travelocity found that based on fares it booked for the Thanksgiving holiday, travelers nationwide could save on average $179 by booking a Thanksgiving morning-Dec. 1 round-trip rather than booking travel on the Sundays before and after the holiday.

The difference between peak and off-peak fares between Tampa and New York was $76 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Travelocity offered Northwest Airlines flights at $292 round-trip departing Tampa on Nov. 22 and returning Nov. 29, compared with $216 round-trip for flights departing Tampa on Thanksgiving morning and returning on Dec. 1.

New York is the top Thanksgiving destination from Tampa and all U.S cities, Gaines said.

Airfares booked on Travelocity are down 8 percent this year between Tampa and New York, in part because the company has eliminated a booking fee, she said.

Hotel rates for Thanksgiving are down 26 percent compared with a year ago to $286 a night.

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