May 26, 2008 7:29 pm US/Eastern
High Gas Prices Cutting Into Summer Travel Plans
High Gas Prices Impact Summer Road & Air Travel
As gas prices top the $4 a gallon mark in some cities with no relief in sight, many people are adjusting their summer vacation plans to get the biggest bang for their buck.
Shoppers like Louis Barrios said his father is looking to the future as he shops for a new car now.
"He's looking for a four cylinder that doesn't waste too much gas," said Barrios, "the mpg, that's what he is looking at – that's the big thing. Four dollars a gallon you know."
The sky high prices will not only be impacting travel by car, but travel by air as well.
American Airlines recently announced that it will begin charging $15 for the first bag checked – each way. The price goes up to $25 for the second bag. The airline said it was forced to implement the new measures to pay for the sharp increase in jet fuel. Frequent fliers like Susan Quinton are not very happy about the new fees.
"I'm not going to be taking a lot of luggage," said Quinton, "and they should just call it what it is - a fuel surcharge, but we have to pay up."
As families and friends relaxed by the beach over the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, many like the Xiomara Fagunzo of Miami said higher gas prices will definitely impact where she and her friends go this summer.
"We try as senior graduates to go out of town," said Fagunzo, "but with gas prices going higher, this is probably not going to be in our plans this summer."
