Travel

If your travel plans include flying somewhere, listen up.  Travel experts predict air fares are on the verge of turbulent times ahead. 

Come September, many airlines will cut their flight rosters in order to save money on fuel.  They'll take a couple of lights that might be 60-70% capacity and combine them into a flight that will be 100% full.  For you, that will likely mean more cancellations and higher cost. 

More airlines are parking more planes, cutting flights and laying off employees. It's an effort to trim the bottom line.  For travelers, it will likely mean fewer choices with prices soaring skyward. 

"This is going to be bad news for a lot of travelers this fall," said Steve Danishek, travel expert. 

Danishek believes buying airline tickets now is a gamble of sorts. 

"The airlines have to keep the fares as high as possible at every flight they fly," said Danishek.  "And they're going to do that by cutting out excess capacity to make sure that the highest paying passengers, the premium passengers, are the ones that are filling their planes." 

So many airlines will be slashing the number of flights they offer in a day.  If you buy a ticket now before those cuts, you might pay a lower ticket price.  On the other hand, if you do buy now you could be buying a ticket on a flight that will ultimately be cancelled. 

"This is a very bad time to fly to Miami and believe you're going to arrive at 11:00 a.m. and get on a cruise that's leaving at 4:00 a.m., you may not make it," said Danishek. 

Travel experts say it's important to remember these important tips. Give your airline all your contact information - that way if your flight is cancelled, they can let you know as soon as possible. Also, give yourself an extra travel day; that way, if you are bumped, you are not late to where you need to be.  Lastly, be your own advocate. Experts say be firm if a new flight does not work for you.  Experts say if you are able to buy your tickets now, you may be able to pay less than in a few months.