Higher Airfares Are Coming; Hainan Buys a Bit of Hilton; Thoughts on Budget Airline Fees

Travelers have been blessed with low airfares since about the middle of 2015. However, it appears that will not continue much into 2017, as regional and international fares are on the rise, and oil prices are expected to keep them at more elevated levels next year. If you're hoping to make reservations for Christmas/New Year/Spring Festival, now would be the time book. 

Speaking of that period, the fact that the western holidays (including a late Hanukkah this year) and Spring Festival are all packed into five weeks means that the spring shoulder season could be a good one for bargains, both for skiing (like Hokkaido, Japan), or sun and water-based activities in Southeast Asia. Late February and the first half of March could be a good time for bargains throughout the region. While you're making those air reservations above, look around at some Asian destinations to book into.

HNA Group, the parent company of Hainan Airlines, just bought 25 percent of Hilton Hotels. That's a smart move for China's most ambitious carrier, which has seen new routes to destinations including Montreal and Tel Aviv this year. Expect more kaishui and tuoxie during your next stay at a Hilton property.

Having recently returned from a trip that visited four continents and was connected by two budget airlines, I can confidently say that while the flying experience was acceptable in both cases, the rest of the experience was not. Yes, I understand, they're trying to make money from baggage fees and other convenience charges. But generating enmity by cutting off booked passengers from access to things like cancellation insurance because they weren't bought at time of purchase – and frankly were never offered because the booking was made through Ctrip – won't ever make me want to fly the airline again. It's hard not to like Norwegian Air, which puts images of scientists and poets on the tails of its aircraft. Next time, I'll spend the extra USD 200 for a proper airline. The peace of mind is worth it.

Some thoughts on Air China are coming later this week. Until then, one road flat safe.

More stories by this author here.

Email: stevenschwankert@thebeijinger.com
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Photo: Hilton Beijing Wangfujing