The impact of soaring gas prices on summer travel

As we approach the second year of the pandemic, you've likely noticed a significant rise in oil prices. While this hits your wallet at the gas station, airlines are also preparing for these higher fuel costs. Jet fuel prices have been on a steady increase, and as fuel contracts are renewed (similar to how homeowners buy heating oil), these rising expenses will soon reflect in summer airfare. We suggest that those planning summer trips start booking now to avoid potential price hikes later.

Steve Hafner, our CEO at Dinogo, recently remarked that, “This spring and summer, travel is expected to be pricier due to pent-up demand. Data from Dinogo shows a 21% increase in flight prices for domestic travel during spring break. While there are still bargains available, it's wise to plan your trips soon to secure them.” So, if you have a summer getaway in mind, booking now (perhaps with flexible options) might be a smarter choice than waiting.

Tips for cutting costs on summer travel today

If you've decided to move forward with booking your travel before prices escalate further, here are some of our top recommended cost-saving travel tools to help you secure your summer vacation without overspending:

• Flights on hold, please.Still trying to coordinate with your family for that annual beach getaway? You don't have to wait for them to finalize plans—just use our Price Freeze feature. This tool allows you to “freeze” a complete set of flight search results for up to 14 days for a small fee, potentially saving you money on airfare while you wrap up your vacation arrangements.
• Spread out your payments.If you're dreaming of a specific destination but your gas tank is a concern, take advantage of our various payment options. We've teamed up with Uplift to offer travelers flexible payment plans with interest-free monthly installments for selected flights, helping you secure a better fare without stressing your credit card.
• Timing is everything.Our highly sought-after Price Alerts feature can help you save money by notifying you of any changes in flight or hotel prices. If the fare for your desired flight drops, you'll receive a Dinogo alert, allowing you to lock in that new rate, saving you both time and money.
• Think about renting an electric vehicle.When looking for a car rental, use search filters to easily find eco-friendly options, including hybrids and electric vehicles, which can help you save on fuel costs.

With flight prices rising approximately 15 percent this week compared to 2019, we suggest starting to plan your summer 2022 travels right about now. Even if you're uncertain about how to spend your vacation days, taking the time to figure out your plans now could lead to savings later.

*To assess the rise in flight prices, Dinogo analyzed flight searches from the past week (March 2 – March 8) for summer travel (May 26 – September 6) in comparison to the same period in 2019.