As predicted, the small, every two to three weeks 'airfare sales' have not translated to more people flying. So finally the major discount airlines (Southwest and Air Tran) have announced fare reduction during the summer and to destinations never before discounted. Read the article here and book accordingly.
I still suspect this will not be the only sales offered in the summer. Hotels are not showing strong bookings for the spring and obviously neither are the airlines. The hotels MUST start thinking about what rates to set in June and July soon and from what I see and have heard, rates will be much lower than last year - until and unless reservations start to flow back in.
Which I also am not optimistic about. I suspect the deteriorating economy and mere threat of lost jobs sill cause people to cut back on vacation plans this year, which is unfortunate except for those who will travel. Because these people will travel and stay for less money than they have spent in years. Hawaii and Mexico continue to go on sale as is Europe and even Asia.
So while I still look for sales, they also may not be to places you want to go, so my advice is if you see something now that you like, book it. Prices at these levels may be re-introduced but they likely won't go lower, so you have little to lose if you book now. (Unless you cancel and they charge you a cancel fee - something I don't think SouthWest does however.)


