Airline

The Federal Aviation Administration stopped collecting taxes Friday due to a partial shutdown, so logic dictates that should mean a reduction in airfare considering those taxes make up nearly 20% of flight cost. Not so fast, my friend. U.S. carriers leaped on the opportunity created by lawmakers' failure to extend the agency's operating authority. By Monday, most U.S. airlines raised their fees to cover the difference, with the possible exceptions of Alaska, Spirit and Hawaiian airlines. Virgin originally bragged it wouldn't take advantage of the tax holiday, but joined the opportunistic crowd by Monday. Frontier Airlines followed suit.

So what's a traveler to do? Here are 15 ways consumers can reduce airfare costs and avoid those pesky added fees:

1. Shop Consolidators
OneTravel.com and Hotwire.com are just two websites that consolidate the lowest fares available. But check the terms carefully as there might be some semi-hidden restrictions.

2. Book Mid-week
Airfare prices are at their lowest in the middle of the week, according to FareCompare.com who claims Tuesday afternoon offers the best value and selection of low cost flights.

3. Weekend Layovers
Business travelers know it's actually cheaper to extend their visit over a weekend to save on airfare. That's because many plane tickets are sold for weekday round trips. Read more

Good shoppers know that sometimes, to get the best deals, you need to plan. Arm yourself with the dealnews July buying guide, and you'll know what to look out for this month.

Christmas in July, Black Friday Every Day
Be wary of the labeling; few of the recent "Black Friday" sales featured the rock-bottom pricing that consumers come to expect from the "darkest" of shopping days.

Back to School Starts in July?
If you're planning a back-to-school shopping spree, it may be wise to wait until August for deep discounts from the major retailers.

Clearance, Clearance, Clearance
The top five clearance sales last year [at this time] came from Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike (x 2), Graveyard Mall, and Finish Line — so keep an eye out for these vendors in 2011.Read more

Hurry up and wait. That's the modern ethic for the frequent (or even infrequent) air traveler. Get to the airport a few hours early to ensure you have all the time you need to get through the security line.

Then, you take off your shoes, take all the change out of your pockets, take out your laptop, take off your belt and anything else that might possibly set off the metal detector, take your ID out of your wallet, walk through the metal detector, set it off with the cell phone you forgot to take out of your pocket, wait patiently while you get scanned by the wand that makes the Star Wars light saber noise, and then put everything back only to find out your flight is delayed for another few hours.Read more

If you have an epic vacation coming up, you may be wondering how to cut down on some costs, especially if you're going overseas. Oftentimes, one of the areas of international travel that seems nonnegotiable is the high cost of the flight, whether you are going to Brazil or Thailand. What to do?

Flexibility: If you have a flexible schedule, you may want to check out several dates to manipulate the system and find the best cost. The fares can dramatically swing from one day to the next, especially if it is the end of the peak travel season.

Bid on Your Fare: The best way to bid on your fare online to save money when traveling internationally is by subtracting 20% to 30% from the lowest price and making that your bid. It is also a good idea to have a cushion of time that you are bidding on since your bid is good for the entire 24 hours of a specific date. Make sure to read all of the information clearly before bidding!Read more

Southwest Airlines and The St. Joe Company Enter Into Strategic Alliance to Land Jet Service at Region's Newest Airport; Carrier Plans Start-Up to Multiple Destinations in May 2010

October 21, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. today announces its intent to begin jet service from Northwest Florida's new international airport near Panama City, Florida in May 2010. The planned service is made possible through a strategic alliance agreement developed between Southwest and The St. Joe Company, one of Florida's largest landowners and real estate developers. The new airport will introduce daily jet service to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, providing Southwest Customers easy access to its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant communities. For more information on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, please visit www.thebeachfla.com.

Southwest has not released specific service details, saying only that it will add at least two daily nonstop flights from Northwest Florida to four destinations across its 68 airport network for a total of eight daily nonstop flights when it begins service next year. Northwest Florida will be the first international airport to open in the nation in more than a decade. The new international airport is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in May 2010. Specific details on Southwest's fares and schedule will be available in December 2009. Read more