Bestfares.com: Families Flying to Europe Could Pay Up to 25 Percent More On Children's Fares
ARLINGTON, Texas, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Benefits to travelers that were once taken for granted are slowly evaporating, says Tom Parsons, CEO of Bestfares.com, an internet travel website that tracks airfare specials.
This past year, the airlines eliminated commissions to travel agents, now permit two bags instead of three, kids fly solo -- once free -- now up to $150 on top of the published fare. Seniors' 10 percent discounts off the lowest published airfare are gone. Non-refundable tickets are use-it-or-lose-it.
Now, the major airlines, including American, Delta, United, Northwest, KLM, Air France and more have eliminated the child's fare for ages two to 11. "That was a 25 percent discount off the adult ticket," says Parsons.
"This will cost families traveling to Europe hundreds of dollars more this winter, spring, summer or fall."
"The major airlines are squirreling every dollar they can from the traveling public," he says.
For example, the cheapest published airfare from Dallas to Rome this July is $1,299 roundtrip. The child fare (ages 2 to 11) was $976 roundtrip, a difference of $323 roundtrip. A family of four (with two adults and two children ages 2-11) now must pay an additional $646 roundtrip.
"We still can find children discounts up to 25 percent off for the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, South Pacific and Asia, but for how long," asks Parsons.
He states that Europe is one of the few big profit centers for the major airlines, especially during June, July and August. With major airlines reducing the number of seats and flights, every flight, every seat is now going to be a premium and they will not give up any potential profits,
including cheaper seats for young children.
"Families who had planned a trip to Europe this spring and summer may have to rethink their options," says Parsons.
Bestfares.com's Tom Parsons, one of the most sought-after travel industry experts in the United States, has been chasing down hidden travel bargains and bringing them to the traveling public for 20 years. Parsons regularly appears on NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CBS's The Early Show, CNN, Fox and MSNBC.
