Re: Cost of travelling gets MORE expensive!

[Gingersnap]

I subscribe to itravel2000, and here is the latest notice I received from them...
 
 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ITRAVEL2000
 
 Dear itravel2000 Customers,
 
 
 I must advise you that an increase in fuel surcharges on flights to Mexico and the Caribbean was announced today by a Canadian tour operator.
 
 I do apologize, but this is out of our control and just not fair to the Canadian travel consumer.
 
 On your behalf I have sent a letter of protest to the Travel Industry Counsel of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario as well as other government officials - I urge you to do the same.
 
 Effective July 25th, 2005, flights to the Caribbean and Mexico will have a surcharge of $150 per couple for departures November 1st, 2005 and onwards.
 
 For families with children this surcharge could amount to a hefty sum when planning this winter's vacation.
 
 
 I urge you to avoid these mounting costs and take advantage of Early Booking Bonuses with savings of up to $1500 per couple by booking now!
 
 Jonathan Carroll
 
 President
 
 itravel2000.com
 
   :mad:

[flopnfly]

We received the same email.
 
 I'm a little curious as to how valid it really is though. Is this yet another $75 each on top of the last surcharge?  Pretty soon the fuel surcharges are going to be more than the entire vacation would normally cost.
 
 For anybody planning on going in November, maybe we should all think about booking now?  Or is that what they are trying to get us to do?  Who knows?  We are just the innocent consumer.

[bellagio]

Flopnfly:
 
 Any idea how this is going to impact on our November Holguin gathering?    It does seem a pretty dramatic leap.   I'm sure it will quieten down demand.
 
 I still haven't booked my internal flight yet to Calgary.   Canjet senior's rate at $183.60 + $58.51 taxes = $242.11 is still the cheapest.   Maybe I should be considering booking it as these fuel surcharges just keep increasing.

[flopnfly]

I'm trying to get some definite answers from the tour companies and travel agents.  So far nobody is really clear on what is happening.  It seems a little bizarre to be adding on surcharge after surcharge.
 
 I'll keep you posted

[flopnfly]

I still haven't had a response from any of the travel companies.
 
 I did check out some pricing and on     Holiday Market Travel  They are showing taxes as $175 for August, and September, but $99 in November and December.
 
 This is very odd.