Clark Howard's Tips

March 1, 2006

If you want to take a vacation, there is no better time.

Because of the labor unrest and bankruptcy situations at Delta and Northwest, these companies are having trouble selling seats to business travelers. When an airline is having trouble business travelers do what's called "booking away," meaning they look for other airlines to fly even if it's less convenient.

As a result, those two airlines are discounting fares for vacation travelers.

Of course, with these great deals, there is always the chance that the airline could go belly up and you're stuck with a ticket. So it's important to know how to play the game.

If you are a nervous traveler, don't buy vacation travel on either of these two airlines. But if you roll with the punches, go for it. Just be sure to buy that ticket on a credit card. You are offered protection and can at least dispute the charge that way.

And don't buy tickets that coincide with a cruise you've booked or are planning to take. That's just not smart.

Also, if you're at your destination and the airline shuts down, other airlines are required to carry you on a standby basis.

Consumer advice courtesy of