Laziness can prove costly

This is not the year to get lazy about making summer vacation plans. Airfares, gas, hotel rooms – nearly every trip expense is going up.

Except for occasional last-minute sales, travel experts agree, the rule of thumb is: The sooner you book, the better the deal.

Even if you’re planning now, you’re behind the curve. Summer vacationers have been snapping up plane tickets and hotel rooms for months. That means fewer for you – and you may pay more.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans this year are booking summer trips at least two to three months ahead, according to an online survey of 2,327 adults for Expedia.com. And 8 percent started more than six months ago.

“We’re seeing an incredible, robust demand for travel this summer,” said Kurt Stache, president of AAdvantage marketing programs for the American Airlines.

As for costs, a family of two adults and two children this summer can expect to spend an average of $261 per day for food and lodging, based on prices at more than 55,000 hotels and restaurants in AAA TourBook guides. Hotels will average $141 per night, up 9 percent from last year.

Some popular destinations will cost more.

The most expensive state will be Hawaii, where a family of four will pay $599 per day for food and lodging. The per-day cost in Nevada and New York will be well over $300.

Those totals don’t include gas for the car. Several forces are driving up gas prices, according to U.S. Department of Energy, including increased demand, a seasonal transition to expensive fuel blends, decreased refining capacity because of hurricanes, and record high prices for crude oil.

Costly fuel is also hurting the already financially troubled airlines.

They have responded with fare increases, now approaching the peak of 2000, Stache said.

Business travelers have borne the brunt. The average domestic business fare for the week of April 17 was up 19 percent from last year, compared 5 percent for leisure fares, according to Harrell Associates in New York, which tracks airfares.

Airlines have leverage to raise domestic fares, experts say, because seats are harder to come by.

You’ll find 4 percent fewer flights and 4.6 percent fewer seats this summer, based on weekly schedules compiled by eSkyGuide, an electronic flight guide.

Internationally, the picture is mixed.

You’ll find slightly more seats on these flights than last year, according to eSkyGuide. Depending on the route, some fares are up, some down.