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Frommers.com Airfare Deals and News for the Week of July 19, 2006
Airfarewatchdog.com July 18, 2006
Travelocity's Flexible Date Search: On the Danger List? Here at Airfarewatchdog, we feel like there's been a death in the family. Travelocity (tel. 800/249-4302; www.travelocity.com) has recently removed all their International fares from their once-admirable flexible date search tool. After some investigation, we learned that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) was displeased that the online travel agency wasn't showing those often hefty international fuel surcharges in their fare results under flexible search. (As you know, the difference between the "base" and final "all-inclusive" fare on international routes can be $200-$350, much of that in fuel surcharges.) Since Travelocity has no way of automating the inclusion of those charges, which vary from airline to airline and can only be calculated once specific dates are chosen, they've been forced by the DOT to no longer offer this valuable service. However well-intentioned on DOT's part, this is a huge blow, in our humble opinion, to the consumer. Travelocity was the last remaining fare search option available to a consumer wishing to search any international fare, even between international destinations, without specifying a travel date, up to 330 days ahead . With the exclusion of United's fares from Travelocity flexible date search, reported in an earlier column, this once robust feature is looking increasingly anemic. Delta Honolulu Sale Delta Air Lines (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com) is having an unadvertised sale on flights to and from Honolulu, Hawaii. These fares may change at any time without warning. Travel Monday, Tuesday, or Saturday, between August 22, 2006 and December 10, 2006. Other days are an additional $20 each way. Below are some sample one-way fares to Honolulu from a few departure cities before taxes and fees:
Spirit's Hoffa Sale Spirit Airlines (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com) is having yet another cheekily-named weekly sale, this time dubbed "Hoffa." Many of these fares are the lowest available, if sometimes only by a little bit. Below are some sample round-trip fares before taxes and fees:
Travel on selected dates through August 31, 2006. Purchase fares by July 22, 2006 only on www.spiritair.com. Southwest Systemwide Sale Of course, Travelocity only listed Southwest's fares for a short while a number of years ago before that discount airline pulled out (ironically perhaps, Southwest lists some of its fares with Sabre, the big online reservation system that travel agents use, and the same one that Travelocity runs on). Today, of course, only Southwest.com lists Southwest's fares. The go-it-alone airline (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com) is having a systemwide sale with special fares on almost all its routes throughout the country. Below are some sample one-way fares without taxes and fees.
These are very low fares, relatively speaking, and most have already been matched by other airlines although sometimes only on a round-trip basis. Travel between August 17, 2006 and December 10, 2006, with lowest fares available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Purchase your ticket by July 27, 2006. These fares are only available on http://southwest.com/cgi-bin/lowFareFinderEntry. Air France Sale Air France (tel. 800/237-2747; www.airfrance.us) is having a major sale from all its U.S. gateways to destinations in Europe, Africa, and India. However, on every route we checked, another airline was offering a slightly lower fare. (Of course, if you're going to Paris, we suggest paying the higher fare if Air France flies the route nonstop). Here are some sample fares including all taxes and fees. Comparison fares were found using Orbitz.com. Depart September 19, Return September 26
Depart November 21, Return November 28
Depart February 6, Return Feburary 19
As you can see, other airlines have beaten these sale fares when comparisons were made using Orbitz.com. Travel dates vary by destination. For most routes, depart starting September 11, 2006 (and, not surprisingly, you'll find the most availability on many routes if you depart on that ill-fated day and return a week later). Lower fares are available for winter travel starting November 1, 2006. Purchase your ticket by July 28, 2006. USA3000 $10 Discount USA3000 (tel. 877/872-3000; www.usa3000.com) is for the second week in a row offering its popular $10 discount. It's valid on all flights booked by July 24, 2006 for travel through September 30, 2006. USA3000 serves the Caribbean and Florida from Baltimore, Chicago O'Hare, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or St. Louis. This airline, which sells all its fares one-way, already has the lowest fares on most of the routes it serves, and its online reservation tool has an easy to use flexible date search option. To redeem your $10, type in the promo code Sizzle in the yellow box when booking online at www.usa3000.com. AA to Central and South America American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) is offering a sale on travel to Central and South America. Below are some sample fares including taxes and fees: Depart August 22, Return August 28
Depart October 15, Return October 23
As you can see, most of these fares have been bested by other carriers, if only by a little bit; but more importantly, we've seen these routes lower -- much lower -- in the past, so perhaps is not the optimal time to buy if you aren't in a hurry to travel. Travel between August 14, 2006 and December 4, 2006. There is a three day minimum stay requirement. Purchase your ticket by July 23, 2006. Icelandair Lucky Fares Icelandair (tel. 800/223-5500; www.icelandair.net) is having a special promotion on travel to Reykjavik, Iceland. Here are some sample fares including all taxes and fees. Comparisons were found using Travelocity. Depart September 12, Return September 18
This is a great sale for those who want to see Iceland. Depart from Baltimore, Boston, New York, or San Francisco starting in mid-August. To book this promotional fare, you must register for free in the Icelandair's Netclub. There is no specified last date to this promotional offer so it may end at any time. 20 Percent off select Alaska Airlines Flights Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com) is offering a 20 percent discount on flights between Mexico and Oregon or Idaho. Alaska currently has flights to nine cites in Mexico. To receive the discount, enter e-certificate code EC04106 when making reservations at www.alaskaair.com. Travel between September 6, 2006 and November 15, 2006. This offer expires July 23, 2006. And you can book only on Alaska's website. Additional reporting by David Shan George Hobica is a syndicated travel journalist and blogger whose website, www.airfarewatchdog.com, tracks unadvertised airfare wars and other fare sales. Talk with fellow Frommer's readers on our Air Travel Message Boards today.
Related Information:
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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