Farecast holiday forecast: Expect to spend more on airfare

SEATTLE -- It's going to cost more to fly home for the holidays this year, say the experts at Live Search Farecast. Fares for Thanksgiving 2008 are up 31 percent from 2007, while Christmas and New Year's fares are up 30 percent.

Nationally, average costs for the most popular Thanksgiving itinerary, a Wednesday departure, Sunday return, is $490, up $66 from last year. Return Monday or Tuesday to possibly save more than $90 per ticket.

Christmas and New Year's fares average a bit less than Thanksgiving fares, at $420.

Tips for finding bargains:

• • During 2006 and 2007, most Christmas itineraries saw price drops in the first two weeks of October. Farecast data suggests there are more price drops for the holidays than other times of the year; sign up for airline alerts to catch deals.

• • Travelers flying to and from major airports may see price drops this fall, but those using smaller regional airports are more affected by airline capacity cuts and should not wait as prices are unlikely to go down.

LAS VEGAS -- MGM Mirage Inc. officials building the CityCenter complex on the Las Vegas Strip say rooms in three of its hotels will use advanced technology to let guests customize their room environment.

The company says guests staying at the $9.1 billion complex expected to open next year will be able to save settings for lights, the television, music and curtains, and have the room recognize them and adjust when the guest enters or leaves.

MGM Mirage Chief Design and Construction Officer Bobby Baldwin says the sophisticated technology will be used in the casino-hotel Aria, and non-gambling hotels Mandarin Oriental and the Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences.

The complex also includes condominiums and a 500,000 square-foot retail and entertainment center.

AP