The airlines are adding more and/or increasing surcharges to tickets this winter and spring; while some call these surcharges a new kind of fee, others see them as the carriers’ survival instinct kicking in.

The airlines well remember the need for fuel surcharges of up to $70 roundtrip back in the summer of 2008.  Those surcharges were dropped about a year ago, as the price of oil came down from its high of about $140 per barrel back in July 2008 — but note that the cost of fuel is creeping up again.

So we are seeing new surcharges for the most popular days to fly, such as Spring Break: surcharges in the $10/$20/$30 range. Interstingly, these surcharges might not have been an issue at all for passengers, if travelers hadn’t also had to swallow bag fees and more over the past year and a half.

Some airlines have increased bag fees over the past year: adding a charge to a second checked-bag to Europe for example, and raising the price of checking a bag at the airport, vs. checking it online. And now as more and more planes are getting wired for WiFi, many airlines are charging for that too (but coupons and freebies abound, and passengers should take note). But today, the story is the surcharges.

Take a look at the calendars and charts; they show you the specific dates and airlines with new “peak travel day” surcharges, but please note:  the airlines can and may remove these surcharges at any time – or, increase them.

Search FareCompare for the best available prices every day, including

• Cheap flights from Chicago to Milan
• Cheap flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Rome
• Cheap flights from Los Angeles to Naples

Italy is one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe-and with good reason: while the ancient Romans conquered much of the world, the Italy of today captures its heart.

If you’ve never been to Rome before, your list of top attractions has to include the Forum, the Coliseum, the Vatican and much more-but the city also boasts numerous special events, including a summer long Opera series, a renowned Giotto exhibit and the celebrity-studded Roma Rock festival.

You’ll also want to visit Lombardy, to see Milan with its Romanesque architecture and Renaissance palaces.? Summertime activities include street fairs, food and wine festivals, concerts by favorite rock bands and more. And don’t miss the scenic lakes and countryside of the Po Valley.

And be sure to visit Naples-celebrated for its ancient traditions and fine food (it was Naples that gave the world pizza!) Unique experiences include the city’s Italian Theater Festival; and head to nearby Ravello for summer-long festivities featuring music, dance, video and literature.

BEST WAY TO GET THERE:

Rome is served by Leonardo de Vinci airport (FCO); Milan by Milan Linate International Airport (LIN), and Naples by Napoli Airport (NAP).

MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.italiantourism.com/

January 26
KPTH Fox 44
Now’s a Great Time to Fly, Thanks to Airfare Sales
–FareCompare helps you find the best deals to warm-weather destinations this winter.
Link: YES

KMEG 14
Now’s a Great Time to Fly, Thanks to Airfare Sales
–FareCompare helps you find the best deals to warm-weather destinations this winter.
Link: YES

January 25
Indy Star
10 lesser known Web sites that can save you time and money when planning a trip
Link: NO

January 21
DC Examiner
AMR, UA report Q4 losses, shares plunge
–Will declining profits lead to greater capacity cuts from major airlines?
Link: NO

Real Clear Markets
AMR, UA report Q4 losses, shares plunge
Link: NO

St. Petersburg Times
Airlines give Super Bowl fans an economics lesson
–Airfares from Phoenix and Pittsburgh to Tampa are quickly on the rise.
Link: NO

KAIT 8 (Jonesboro, Arkansas)
Traveler numbers down at Arkansas airports
Link: NO

January 20
Gadling
Destination on the Edge: Mogadishu
–Exploring the dangers of traveling to Somalia
Link: YES

CNN (from Travel + Leisure)
9 money-saving travel tips
Link: NO

BTN Online
Airlines Keeping Deepest Discounts Away from Corp. Travelers
–How have business travelers been effected by recent airfare trends?
Link: NO

January 19
ABC News 7
Website compares airline add-on fees
–Highlights FareCompare’s fee chart. Learn which airlines are charging the most for “extras.”
Link: YES (to RS)

January 15
ABC News
Biofuel in the Skies: Airlines Go Green
–Read Rick’s abcNews column on the airlines’ environmental push.

January 14
AARP Bulletin
Downturn Makes Taking a Vacation a Dilemma
Link: NO

Get Roasted
Best Day of the Week to Get Cheap Airline Seats
–Tips for finding the best deals.
Link: NO

January 13
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Airlines unleash slew of fare discounts

AOL Video
FareCompare Santa Gets Heckled
–Missed FareCompare Grumpy Santa’s cross-country adventure? Get caught up.

January 12
Chicago Tribune (from AP)
New Year’s airfare sales extend into spring

January 10
Of Lift and Drag
farecompare.com and kayak.com: The Perfect Duo for Low-Fare Flying
–Find out how FareCompare.com can help you find the best deals on air travel.

Malaysian Holidays
2009 will be the year of the travel deal
–Will decreasing demand and the current economic situation force airlines to offer cheap flights?

January 9
Guardian UK
lasting fare sales hint at US airline gloom

Budget Travel
Go on sale, dammit! (Why Hawaii’s airfares defy gravity)
–Frequent Fliers may be the cause of continually high airfares to Hawaii.

NBC 2 – Charelston, SC
The trick to beating high airfare

TC Palm
Expert: Cheapest airfares available early in week
–Rick provides tips on choosing the best time to buy airfare.

travel pulse
Fare Compare Launches “Santa’s Excellent Adventure”
–Follow the Adventures of FareCompare’s Grumpy Santa (original “air” date — December, 2007)

Go Eerie
Time to fly?
–Airfare sales keep coming, and so do capacity cuts.

4 Hoteliers
Internet Travel Bargains

January 8
Salt Lake Tribune
Airfare sales spread to SLC
–Delta Air Lines offers deals to Salt Lake City

Detroit News
Airlines roll out bargains
–New Year’s airfare sales extend to Spring and early summer travel.

KOAA-NBC – Colorado Springs
First of week best time to buy airline tickets
–Is Monday the best time to buy airfare?

WPXI – Pittsburgh
What is the Best Day to Buy a Plane Ticket?
–Can you really save by booking airline tickets on Tuesdays?

January 7
San Francisco Chronicle
Airfares slashed as demand falls
–Rick compares and contrasts the start of 2009 with airfare trends from the last two years.

The Perrin Post
Don’t Buy Airfare too Far in Advance!
–How can email alerts help you choose the right time to buy.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review (from AP)
Airlines offering fare sales

Austin American Statesman (from AP)
Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales

January 6
Forbes (from AP)
Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales

KOMO News.com (from AP)
Airlines fly into new year with wave of fare sales

January 5
Rocky Mountain News
Stretch your travel dollar
–Tips for saving money on air travel.

Examiner.com – Dallas
JFK to Boston for $64, $39 tickets, and more
–Get the latest info on travel deals from FareCompare.com

January 4
Denver Post
Good News amid Bad: Discounts
–Expext doemstic airfare to remain high in 2009, but international deals should emerge.

The Morning Call
2009: Year of the Travel Deal
–Expect doemestic airfare to remain high in 2009, but international deals should emerge

Ohio.com
Travelers to find stealing away is getting cheaper
–World economic conditions, the state of the airline industry, and other factors leading to new travel deals.

Buffalo News
Bargains Ahead
More airfare deals to come in 2009

January 3
All We Need
New Travel Sites

January 2
Williamsburg Travel Management
Airline Updates for August 2008

FareCompare in the News
December 2008 – FareCompare in the News
November 2008 – FareCompare in the News

FareCompare.com is an independent airfare shopping site with the all the tools necessary to help consumers find the best deals available quickly and easily – and find them first. That’s because FareCompare is not the typical airfare “meta search” comparison shopping site.

Every day FareCompare processes feeds from more than 500 airlines – totaling more than 270,000 destinations worldwide – making FareCompare a comprehensive one-stop airfare shopping experience. Plus, FareCompare’s proprietary software and robust processing power delivers a speedy and easy shopping experience.

And FareCompare offers these unique features:

FareCompare FareCatcher – FareCompare alerts its subscribers to airfare sales and price drops before most sites even post the changes on their websites. This means FareCompare consumers have an advance shopper advantage -as much as a six hour advance notice when airfare changes on their favorite trips.

FareCompare Partners – FareCompare’s direct relationship with industry leaders, the Airline Tariff Publishing Company (ATPCO) and ITA, have given its users a shopping advantage since 2006

More Airlines – Shoppers looking for the best deals on flights can quickly and easily shop more than 500 airlines at FareCompare – including Southwest Airlines

Best Time to Buy Airfare and more – FareCompare offers informative video tips and advice along with sophisticated tools to help travelers get the best deals, every time they fly

Rick Seaney, FareCompare CEO, is the media’s go-to source for airline industry trends. Rick’s expert analysis appears daily at Rick Seaney’s FareCompare Labs blog (www.farecomparelabs.com) and in his weekly column for ABCNews.com.

“These are just some of the ways FareCompare.com seeks to accomplish one of our most important goals – educating the air traveling public,” says Rick, “so our consumers will make the best airfare purchasing decisions, every time they choose to fly.” FareCompare is a winner of Travel Weekly’s Magellan Award, and was honored by Travel + Leisure as one of its “Top 25 Air Travel Websites” of 2008.

On FareCompare, you’ll find cheap domestic and international flights, cheap tickets, airline tickets, discount airfare, discount first class airfare, the easiest air travel planning tools, and expert travel advice. Since airlines change airfare prices constantly, sign up for FareCompare’s travel email alerts and let FareCompare’s travel search engine monitor airline ticket prices (all major airlines including low cost airlines like Southwest Airlines) so you’ll be first in line to pickup the best deal on your quest for the cheapest plane ticket. FareCompare can help you find a cheap hotel room too!

Here’s the situation: Grandma is coming to visit – by air. But can Grandma get on the plane by herself?

This is a question facing many families these days – is their beloved senior citizen physically and mentally up to the challenge of navigating a crowded airport and getting through the rigors of security?

If you’re not sure, we have some strategies to you can use to help them.

Crying babies – screaming toddlers – is your family the one that nobody wants to sit anywhere near? Was writer Robert Benchley thinking of your darlings when he said, “In America there are two classes of travel: first class, and with children”? If so, don’t despair – we’ve got plenty of great tips for you that will help you keep your sanity on the plane – and make it a fun and memorable trip for all.

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PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE: Make a plan, and stick to it.Try For Non-Stops: When booking, look for non-stop flights during off-peak times – crowded airports and plane changes are the enemy of traveling families.

Get The Kids Interested and Involved: Create a “Vacation is Coming” poster for little ones so they can mark off the days ’til the flight. Or go high-tech find a computer app that will do the same thing. Celebrate Their First Flight: Download photos of airplane interiors and point out where mom, dad and the kids will sit. Or check out sites like Boeing that feature virtual tours of plane interiors. Books: Go to www.amazon.com and search for children’s books about first flights. Going On A Plane by Anne Civardi is a good choice for toddlers. Preview Your Trip: Put together a “trip montage” to play on your laptop featuring photos of family you’ll be seeing or places you’ll visit. This way, the kids won’t scream at the sight of Uncle Joe’s beard and it will distract young fliers when they get restless or bored. Know What You Can And Can’t Take On Board: Review the TSA’s list of permitted and restricted carry on items so essentials like sippy cups or snacks don’t get dumped. And double check for updates.

LAST MINUTE: Some common sense reminders.Charge Batteries: Make sure batteries for DVD players, IPods or hand held games are powered up before you go. If you’re stuck in the terminal, a favorite DVD can be a lifesaver.

Pep Talk: Remind your children what to expect during the flight including loud noises and ear pressure (and have gum or small candies to alleviate the pressure). Be sure to have a final conversation about appropriate airplane behavior, the necessity of seatbelts, and no seat kicking! Payoff: Give kids a reason to behave, such as “when we get to grandpa’s house, we will go swimming.” Never underestimate the power of a bribe.

ON THE PLANE: There are 2-key things to remember when flying with children: distraction and sustenance.Toys: Take along creative toys like Play-doh and Lego are classic favorites.

New Toys: Months before a trip, find a few tried-and-true favorites that haven’t been played with in a while and pack them in your carry-on – bring these out for something ‘new’ to play with. Snacks: When packing snacks, think layers. Put a favorite healthy food on top, infrequent treats next, and special-occasion snacks last. Don’t blow your bribe treat before take-off.

READY, GET SET, GO!Tip for Parents: If your kids lose it, you must stay calm. Don’t worry if other (childless) passengers are giving you horrified looks. Life will go on.

Have Fun: Don’t forget to have fun; after all, you’re building memories that will last a lifetime.

It’s moving day for the whole family – and that includes your best friend, Sparky.

So how do you transport your pet – on a plane – so everyone involved survives the experience? We’ve done most of the work for you, but you have to do some too – like, answer the following questions:

Is your pet up to the rigors of a plane trip?
Can you afford to fly your pet?
What about the other passengers?

Not sure of the answers? The following practical guide will help you out.

Pet Policies Differ. For example, Southwest will not transport any pets (except for assistance animals) and US Airways will only transport pets in the cabin – which means no pets in cargo – so if your animal weighs more than the typical 15-pound cabin limitation, you’re out of luck.

Hot/Cold/Snouts: Some airlines won’t carry pets if the weather is too extreme, while others won’t carry certain breeds anytime (mostly, short-snouted dogs who might experience breathing problems – think, pugs). Again, learn the rules.

Airline pet-sites: Click here for a list of airlines websites; locate the search box and type in “pet” for each airline’s specific pet policy.

Ask your vet: Is Sparky up to the stress of flying? Is he okay with being stuffed in a small crate near your feet and sitting there for hours without barking? Or if he’s a big boy, can he handle being treated like luggage? Talk to a professional.

Doggy Downers: Think drugs are required for flying a dog (or cat)? Think again; most veterinarians frown on this practice – sedatives can do an animal much more harm than good.

Documents: Check with the airlines, and be sure you have what you need to prove your dog is in good health and up-to-date on his vaccinations.

Costs are high: Let’s look at domestic pet-transport prices on Northwest: Northwest pet-in-cabin travel: $160 roundtrip Northwest pet-in-cargo travel: up to $718 roundtrip NOTE: That $718 fee is for “canines of size” so if Sparky is a big boy and requires a giant-sized travel kennel (dog + kennel = 150 pounds), you will pay $718. Would you transport a child at that price?

Beware the brat: Face it, you don’t like squalling and seat-kicking when “human pups” do it, so be considerate of neighbors who may see your gentle Sparky as a hound from hell. Do not remove Sparky from his cabin kennel so he can “make friends” with your seatmates – it’s not allowed. Come prepared with anti-barking solutions (treats, toys, whatever) but if you can tell nothing is going to work, please-please-please leave Sparky at home.

Allergies: Unfortunately, a lot of us are allergic to a lot of things, whether it’s perfume or peanuts or…dog fur. Such is life in the 21st century, and if a passenger cannot deal with it, the passenger should fly pet-free airlines only.

Ask yourself honestly: would Sparky be better off at home? Think about it: air travel can be hell on humans these days – so why subject your mutt to it? And if you can’t get a house-sitter to watch old Spark, well, kennels are looking cheaper and cheaper these days – at least compared to the cost of flying your furry friend.

Stranded at the airport? Or has there been a death in the family? We can help.

Take a look at these deceptively simple but powerful tips – tips that can help you through whatever emergency you find yourself in.

Remember: the best way to avoid many problems is through meticulous pre-planning. For example, some of these tips require you to print-out documents and take them with you – this is very good advice.

Have a back-up plan, in case you get stranded.

Flights get cancelled so carry a list of airlines’ phone numbers and website addresses, along with an aiport map – it may be quicker to find alternate flights on your own than rely on an overwhelmed airline rep. Also carry a list of airport-area hotels and rental car companies.

Look at the list below, and print out whatever you might possibly need:

• Click here for a list of airlines and contact information
• Click here for all domestic flight routes
• Click here for a list oftop hotel chains
• Click here for a list of rental car agencies and bus and train info
• Click here for airports, airlines and all flight schedules

Even if a hotel website says “no vacancy”, call anyway.

Many hotels set aside rooms for walk-up customers – so if you’re stranded and the website says the hotel is filled, call anyway – you may just get a room.

Can’t find a bereavement fare? Ask.

Many airlines (though not all) have dropped their special rates for travelers heading to funerals. But get on the phone, and ask anyway – a rep for one discount carrier said although they no longer offer bereavement fares, “we can usually work something out.”

For last minute “must” travel, look at package deals.

You don’t have to use these “vacation specials” for leisure travel – simply find one that will take you where you need to go – and simply discard the hotel and rental car if you can’t use them. The airfare portion of these “packages” is usually a very good deal.

Courtesy counts.

Keep your cool no matter how angry you are at the airline – remember, that overwhelmed airline rep didn’t strand you. These are the people who can help you – or maybe even hurt you. So play nice – chances are it will pay off.