Poll of the Week: Has the Economy Affected Your Travel Plans?

[SarahS]

The falling U.S. dollar and the rumors of a recession have many Americans tightening their purse strings. Has the struggling economy affected your travel plans?

[ProgScape]

The struggling economy has not affected my plans. The lack of money in my pocket has affected my plans.

[soliteyah]

We're taking fewer trips this year because we're trying to afford a house! But of course we can't stop traveling altogether. We're planning a trip to Central America for this fall -- the airfare shouldn't be too high, and the dollar will go farther than it would in somewhere like Europe.

[travelmel]

I am not letting the economy impact my travel plans at all -- but that's because 2008 is the year of the honeymoon, and there's no way I'm going to NOT take a great trip after the stress of planning the wedding! There will definitely be less shorter getaways this year, but more because of the wedding budget than the economy.

[jgraham43]

We will be traveling more in the US rather than many other parts of the world due to the devalued US dollar around the world. We would love to visit more of the European countries but find that with our dollar being worth so little we will be looking to seeing more of our own country. Hopefully with a new administration coming in the future we might get back to closer to where we were before he Bush administration destroyed our image and value around the world.

[Host Bonjour]

Even with miles to use and a free place to stay with my "English Family" who are so wonderful welcoming to come anytime for as long as I want, I still can't swing it my budget is stretched too tight with gasoline escolating every day and prices of everything else being raised because of it since things arrive by trucks to stores!! I'm quite simply boxed into Brooklyn.

[RichardNika]

Our plans have not been affected because our income has not been affected, and incredible airfare bargains keep popping up on line. Our only out of town car travel is to visit one of our three daughters who lives 137 miles away - increased gas prices have raised the cost of that trip by perhaps $10 at best.

A quicky guide to saving money.
(1) Use the internet, and work at it.
(2) Never check baggage.
(3) Bring your own food on board. Get drinks inside of the security area.
(4) Use public transit. Research public transit to get to and from airports in advance and have change ready.
(5) If you can deal with it, forego a private bath. (We can't deal with it, but maybe you can)
(6) If overseas, use internet cafes to "call" home.

[helenor]

No, still travelling where and when I can.
Your "tips" include mention of a DIRECT flight as being the better alternative. True enough. BUT know there are three types of flights.
1- Nonstop (self explanatory)
2- Direct flight - with stop(s) but NO change of aircraft and
3- Connecting - also self-explanatory and the worst option

Direct and non-stop are sometimes mistakenly used interchangably - they aren't.