American airlines hike fare

Holiday travellers may want to lock in airfares while they still can. At least two US airlines are raising prices for the first time since late summer and others may follow.

Rick Seaney of Farecompare.com says Delta Air Lines raised one-way fares by $4 to $10 across most of their US routes late Tuesday. Soon after, United Continental Holdings matched the increases. It's the first widespread fare increase attempt since August and the 17th try this year.

The increase may not stick. Airlines often roll back fare increases if competitors don't match them. Seaney noted Wednesday that a recent attempt to raise prices in smaller cities met resistance.

The current fare hikes come as airlines begin reporting third-quarter financial results.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.