I know, you’re still waiting for the Fall 2009 deals to arrive. We are too, so stay tuned.
In the meanwhile, one of our Facebook fans has been engaging with me about coming to Maui next summer. She reminded me that it isn’t too early to start looking (and booking), and here’s why.
Our travel economy is set for resurgence next year, based on all indications. While things may not return to how they were before, I believe that summer 2010 will, pending anything significant, see Hawaii air and hotel prices return to highs we haven’t seen in a few years.
Therefore, it definitely isn’t too early to start looking for Summer 2010 deals (for dates from Mid-June through Mid-August).
Case in point, Danielle wants to fly from the East Coast to Maui next July. I expect we’ll again see prices like these:
East Coast to Hawaii from $900-$1,200, and
West Coast to Hawaii $600-$1,000.
Many cities are already priced reflecting that likelihood. If Danielle flies out of Newark, however, which remains one of the best priced and most important Hawaii air markets, I was able to still find some July seats at just over $600 (all-inclusive). That savings alone is nearly enough to pay for the rest of her trip.
Suggestions for Summer 2010:
Terri (2 years ago)
I just found your web site as I’m planning a trip for my husband and I in April. It’s great! When should we start to see the best deals for late April? Doesnt seem as though I’m seeing much for that time frame. How far in advance should we be booking? What should we expect to pay for 6 nights in Hawaii and 5 nights in Maui from Cleveland? We would like to stay at the Fairmont in Maui, but it doesnt look like they are offering a lot of deals. Are there ones they dont post on their web site? I appreciate any help — this is our first trip to Hawaii.
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Terri,
The next waves of deals will likely include those that go until early June. So it isn’t too early to watch for those now. Deals will also keep showing up right through next Spring. At this point, there’s a $673 fare for April travel from Cleveland that isn’t horrible. There’s a $520 fare valid this Fall, however, which gives some indication how low it might go.
My suggestion on hotels is book something as soon as you get air, and then keep looking until the end for what you really want. Hotel deals should be plentiful in April.
Aloha, Jeff
Terri (2 years ago)
Jeff,
Where did you see the 673 fare? The lowest I’ve been seeing is nearly $800 out of Cleveland. Maybe I’m not looking in the right places. Thanks for your help. Is the best way to search through Expedia?
Terri
Jeff (2 years ago)
Terri,
The $673 I found yesterday using Kayak went up to $705 (US Airways) today. As for Expedia, I suggest using everything out there. No site yields all of the deals every time (for some strange reason).
Jeff
Susan (2 years ago)
Wow…..discussing summer already?! Thanks to you guys, we had a family vacation this past July with tickets from LAX to Kona for $312 a ticket- nonstop! I was hoping to take the kids nonstop to Lihue this next summer but after reading your post then looking briefly myself I’m not too excited. I was sure with the economy in the state it is in that travel would still be minimal. Even with those rock bottom prices last summer our hotel wasn’t full. Why would next summer be so different? Will the general public really have that much more money to spend on travel? Just curious as to your sources. At 600-1000 bucks a ticket, which yes, when I checked it was approaching a grand, we’ll sadly be doing a \staycation\ in So Cal.
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Susan,
As for discussing Summer travel in October, I’m always looking out 330 days, which is the airlines’ end of schedule. I’ve already got tickets for next May that I purchased several months ago.
Travel supply and demand is now in extremely tight check, which isn’t good for deals. Within that constraint, travel demand is on the rise, which the industry is widely anticipating. The economy isn’t great but is stabilized and improving by all accounts. People are realizing that if they want to go to Hawaii or elsewhere on vacation, waiting won’t likely improve things in the near future. That’s the situation. Next summer will likely be expensive, with significantly fewer deal opportunities. Between now and mid-June however, I still think we’ll see good deals.
Aloha, Jeff
Colleen (2 years ago)
Wow, I guess our $500 pp round trip tickets from StL to Kona were a real STEAL! Of course, we are heading there in early December ’09. We had already decided that IF we saw fares comparable to our last trip in 2007 (around $1100 for two persons RT) we would grab them and go once more. Were we ever surprised to see fares this low from St. Louis! We purchased a couple of months ago. Have been watching the fares – hoping to grab a couple more for our sons – but haven’t seen anything anywhere close to $500 since. We are beginning to think this may just be our last visit to these lovely islands. :0( Our fares are less than RT fares from the West Coast!
Sandy (2 years ago)
Thanks for the great information on your website!! I check periodically for new information in every aspect about Hawaii. We recently have decided to go to Oahu June 2010 and hope to find a good priced airfare from Salt Lake City (4 of us). Do you have any suggestions to finding a good deal for departing June 12, 2010 and staying for 2 weeks. The prices for the tickets are around $737 to $868 on Kayak. Thanks in advance for your input.
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for writing. As you can see from the earlier comment I made in response to Susan, I don’t think your dates will be cheap. Things are firming up too much for cheap summer airfares to be likely. Therefore, I’d buy as soon as possible, if it were me. You’re correct on $737 being the cheapest. I’m shaking my head here. I think I’d buy at that price frankly. Sorry to not have better news, and we’ll know next June if that was the right advice.
Jeff
Taris (2 years ago)
Jeff,
When do you anticipate deals to be announced for early April 2010 from Atlanta?
Jeff (2 years ago)
Could come at any time with Fall deals Taris, or might happen subsequently. I wouldn’t rush to buy unless on sale. Atlanta should remain a good market for deals through next Spring.
Aloha, jeff
Marvin Merillat (2 years ago)
I need to know the rates of tickets to purchase for flights to Honolulu, Hawaii for flight from Portland, Oregon. Dates flying to are 5 April, and return flight on the 10th April 2010.
Thanks for your help.
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Marvin,
Not sure what you’re asking. Do you want to know what I think airfares will be for PDX to HNL in early April? If that’s it, then right now the fares for that date are $500+ but I I think about $300 is a good number for planning purposes. That’s only true however if you want for the sales which will come and go quickly.
Aloha, jeff
Sandy Moore (2 years ago)
Hi Jeff,
Our family of 5 is going to Maui next July 29-Aug.7. Since I booked the hotel about six weeks ago airfares have gone in the wrong direction – up! We prefer to fly out of San Jose, CA, but could go to San Francisco or Oakland. Didn’t you mention that Alaska might be having some deals soon from Oakland? The cheapest flight I saw this morning was $809 on Hawaiian from San Jose. Is that as good as it’s going to get, in your opinion?
Thanks. Sandy
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Sandy.
For your exact dates check Hawaiian which has $671 (all-inclusive). If you move your dates one day later (both departure and return), the price with them drops to $611.
Those prices are fair for peak summer dates unfortunately and it will take dire circumstances for them to be lower.
Aloha, Jeff
Angela (2 years ago)
Hi, Jeff!
We are going to Maui July 3-10, 2010 and I recently began perusing airfares. Holy smokes! LAX to OGG is at around $800 pp, R/T! We paid under $600 R/T a year ago and flew from our local small airport! Do you think air is outrageous because it’s nearing Thxgiving & Christmas, or do you think it’s going to stay in that range?
Thanks,
Angela
Jeff (2 years ago)
Hi Angela,
I’m not hopeful because of your dates. Everything I’ve seen (and the airlines have seen too) indicates a fairly strong Summer 2010 travel season. The best price is $713 (all-inclusive), but that isn’t on weekends, so you’d need to leave 7/5. If it were me, I’d probably buy that.
Aloha, Jeff