Brace for pricier Houston flights — and how to find deals
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Houston-area travelers might soon have to pay more to fly if airlines decide to raise ticket prices due to higher jet fuel prices.
Why it matters: Flights out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport already skew pricier than the national average in recent years, making summer travel more expensive.
State of play: The price of jet fuel rose to $4.324 per gallon Thursday, up from $2.50 the day before the Iran war began.
- Jet fuel accounts for more than 40% of airlines' operating expenses.
Yes, but: There are still some ways to hack a cheaper flight, per travel experts at Points Guy and Expedia:
Book now: Especially for June and July, which are already among the most expensive months.
Use airline points: Most U.S. carriers refund miles and fees if plans change.
Be flexible: Fly later in the summer (like August).
Track prices: Google Flights lets you scout the cheapest fares over the next six months and set alerts for fare drops.
💭 Shafaq's booking process: I adjust dates (if possible) to find cheaper fares, compare routes across Google Flights, Skyscanner and airline sites, check nearby airports and try to avoid holiday weekends.
- I'll also begrudgingly — and notoriously — book budget airlines; if that means a personal item only for a fun trip, I make do.