High airfare won't keep travelers home this summer
If you've groaned while looking at the price of airfare for this summer, you're not alone. If you're going to bite the bullet and book the trip anyway, you're also not alone.
Pricey airfare has combined with high across-the-board costs to form a very expensive summer trip, but industry experts say there's no indication travelers plan to stay home over the coming months.
The fact that prices are up is undeniable.
The average round-trip ticket – whether for an international or domestic trip – cost $585 in April according to numbers released in recent days by Airlines Reporting Corporation, which represents travel agencies across the U.S.
This was the highest recorded price in the last seven years - up 8% from the month prior and up 45% compared to 2021.
ARC officials acknowledged that at some point, there could be a reckoning that would (perhaps) lead passengers to change their minds about travel.
"We continue to monitor the impact higher airfares have on traveler demand," Steve Solomon, vice president of global customers and data products, said.
However, after COVID-19 led to two highly unusual summers in 2020 and 2021, it doesn't look like any such reckoning is coming soon.
Related: 9 ways to beat expensive summer airfare
On Friday, the American Society of Travel Advisors told TPG that luxury travel demand remains "relatively untouched," despite surging prices, and said even budget-conscious travelers are forging ahead with their plans.
"Our travel advisors tell us that they're busier than ever," Vice President Erika Richter told TPG, adding that "if anything," travelers are simply adjusting some of the smaller details of their trip, as opposed to altering the vacation itself.
Higher costs and prices…but higher sales, too
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby acknowledged the rising ticket prices during a nationally televised interview this week on CBS Mornings.
"It really is about jet fuel prices," he said, noting this came after the COVID-19 pandemic caused carriers like United to take on large amounts of debt.
"We've got to start paying (the debt) down, so we've at least got to recover the increase in jet fuel prices," Kirby said.
Even though ARC's numbers show total airfare sales (that the company was involved in) dropped by about 1% from March to April, fares rose about 8%. ARC points out, though, that drop was actually smaller than it usually saw prior to the pandemic; sales dropped by about 2% from March to April in 2019.
Indeed, AAA says it has every reason to believe travelers are forging ahead with their plans despite the cost.
Related: Summer travel deals you can still book
"What we've seen is that once people make those plans, they will stick with them," AAA Director of External Communications Ellen Edmonds told TPG on Friday, leaning on lessons learned from past gas price spikes.
AAA forecasts an 8% increase in travel for Memorial Day weekend, and Edmonds said there is a "really strong indication" of surging demand heading into the summer months.
"We believe what we've seen in the past will hold true and people will look for other ways to offset that cost," she said.
It's always important to check, of course, to see what airline and hotel prices would cost you in points and miles. Keep TPG's valuations handy to see if you're getting a better (or at least comparable) deal that will cost you little (or, better yet, no) cash out of pocket.
Other ways to save
If there's a number that sums up why travelers are not letting higher prices deter them from taking a major trip this summer, it may be this:
Eight in 10 people agreed that a vacation would do wonders for their mental health, according to preliminary survey data from the American Society of Travel Advisors.
It's a sentiment with which most of us can empathize after more than two years of pandemic-related stress, uncertainty and travel restrictions.
To the extent customers are looking to trim the budget of their trips, Richter anticipates they might book a lower airfare class, stay in a lower category room or choose a less expensive cabin aboard a cruise ship.
In other words, experts expect the smaller details of the trip may change while larger, overarching plans remain in place.
"We think what they'll do instead is find other ways to save money," Edmonds added, noting the same trend.
Related: How to save on Amtrak tickets
Bottom line
The latest numbers confirm what you've probably found as you research booking sites: Airfare is up, and so are the other costs of a summer trip. With perhaps unprecedented desire to get out of town this summer, don't expect this will lead to smaller crowds at your destination.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees