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Last Minute Travel Deal

Early Bird Gets the best rates

Strategies Writer

Originally published May 28, 2006

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 sooner you book, the better the deal.

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; 8 percent started more than six months ago. The survey was done April 5-7 by Harris Interactive on behalf of Expedia.com.

Costs are up

As for costs, this summer a family of two adults and two children 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.

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