Comments on: 2010 Hawaii Travel Trends

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:14:12 +0000

Always remember to DELETE COOKIES OR USE A DIFFERENT COMPUTER when rechecking fares. Can’t stress this enough. THEY KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THERE LOOKING if you don’t clean the clock completely before revisiting!! And don’t check too often. Know what the general fares run then you know when you are seeing the ‘deal’ and pounce.

We have managed to snag $500 – $550 RT from StL to Kona our last 3 trips – every other odd year. Hoping to do the same for 2011.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:02:39 +0000

Hi Elaine,

If anyone tells you they know the answer to your question, they’re telling a lie. The fares are presently in the mid to high $600′s, so I don’t think there is much chance of them going a lot higher. The potential for lower fares looks better. It does depend on your nerves however, since they may get rattled waiting and watching.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Elaine Taylor

Elaine Taylor — Mon, 10 May 2010 06:53:44 +0000

I subscribe to a bargain airfare newsletter and saw quite a few sales around Spring Break, which makes me think that waiting to purchase tickets may be the better deal. I’m now planning a trip from PDX to Lihue in Feb. 2011. Should I purchase tickets now or do you think prices will fall and/or a sale be offered? My head is spinning trying to figure this out.

Thanks, Elaine.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:28:15 +0000

Hi Kelsi,

It wouldn’t be something that I would do, but it might just work out great. I’d prefer to use Priceline. We’ve written a lot about that if you want to search for it on the site. Let us know what happens.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Kelsi

Kelsi — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:34:55 +0000

Hi there…..

Interesting predictions! I live in Bellingham and would be stoked to see Allegiant fly to the islands…

After living on the Big Island with my fiance a couple years back, I’m going back with my family to show them around. We’ll be in Waikiki a few nights, and I’ve heard from some people that just came back that walking in to many hotels same-day will garner some great walk-in rates, as opposed to setting something up ahead of time. This is specifically for Waikiki.

Any tips for me?

thanks in advance.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:33:22 +0000

Hi Cat,

Nearly everything we publish deal-wise is usable in both directions. That’s how we got into this in the first place, looking for deals from Hawaii to the Mainland. If we fail to mention it (as most of our readers are on the mainland), do assume it anyway.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:20:41 +0000

Hi Asia,

I’m finding $502 all-inclusive for your dates on American Airlines. Details: AA253 Sat, May 29 9:30a-12:10p, AA7922 Sat, June 5 12:15p-12:49p, AA284 Sat, June 5 3:10p-11:30p .

Moreover, domestic fares change literally 20 times per week, and your deal (or a price hike) could be found in any of them.

Aloha, Jeff

By: Asia

Asia — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:02:16 +0000

Jeff, it seems as though you are pretty knowledgeable in Hawaii travels so I have a question for you if you don’t mind. I’ve been looking at flights to Maui (OGG) for a week or two, and the prices seemed pretty consistent at about $540 for non stop flights from LAX (5/29-6/5), and then all of the sudden prices skyrocketed to ~740-950 for the same flights in the matter of hours checking! Now I am kicking myself because I didn’t buy the good deal when I had the chance yesterday. I feel that I gambled and lost big time. Do you know anything about the way flight prices work and when the best time to buy is (besides yesterday)? now, I guess I’m wondering if I should just go with buying the best deal now, which is no deal at all, or wait a bit for a miracle to happen.

Thanks, asia

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:45:45 +0000

Aloha!

I love your blog, both as a vacation property manager on the Big Island and also a traveler! I came across it when I searched from cheapest travel time Hawaii / East Coast.

Do you have any thoughts on airfare for us ka’amaina traveling the other way ? (west to East)

-Cat

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:24:11 +0000

Hi Tiffany,

Yes fares from both cities are expensive, in the $700 range, as would be expected for those dates. Wednesday mornings has nothing to do with finding deals. Airfares are released 25 times each week and your deal could occur at any time. If there is a any better deal for your dates, it might happen in April, May or later. On the other hand, the price could go higher by as much as $300. As I’ve said previously, unfortunately the airlines are in excellent control of pricing at the moment.

Aloha, Jeff