Snatch up that Hawaii Fare

Hawaii is about 2500 miles from the West Coast (5000 from NY), and the airlines, unlike hotels in Hawaii, raise fares to cover just about everything, so no matter how you cut it, your airfare is going to be a factor.

Airline pricing shouldn't be, but is, unnecessarily complicated for most travellers, and airlines like it that way, which is why you have to bookmark the airfare search page that we've listed over on the right-hand side.

After you put in your home airport and Honolulu (HNL is the airport code), and your travel times, you'll get a list of flights arranged by price. In a week, the prices will be different, so you'll want to come back and see if you could get a better price.

Hawaii Island Sunset (photo: HVCB, Kirk Lee Aeder)

But all you really need to do is copy down a few of the best-priced flights that work for you. Then check the ads in the travel sections of your newspaper and compare and ask friends what they paid in the past.

Remember airfares are a moving target. The $400 round-trip might be twenty percent more next week and then ten percent less afterward. Of course, you need to book at least two weeks in advance, but you've got to stay tuned for special airfares, though they're not as common as they once were.

You're best bet is to ballpark what you know you'll have to pay, and then when you get something in your range with times and connections that really work out for you, book it.

Keep your eyes on the flight you want and snatch it up when it's in your sights, before it's too late.