Frommers.com Airfare Deals and News for the Week of November 29, 2006

AirTran's Weekly Systemwide Sale

AirTran (tel. 800/247-8726; www.airtran.com), which has launched another systemwide sale, with fares starting as low as $29 one-way (round-trip purchase not required). Other airlines haven't matched these fares on all routes at the time we write this, but may do so by the time you read.

Sample one-way fares before taxes and fees:

• Boston to/from Rochester: $29
• Detroit to/from Tampa: $59
• Minneapolis to/from Atlanta: $69

As is often the case, the long-haul fares aren't as good value, compared to what other airlines are offering, as the shorter hops:

• Milwaukee to/from Denver: $119 one-way (vs. $89 one-way on Frontier with round-trip purchase)
• Pittsburgh to/from Las Vegas: $139 one-way (vs. $79 one-way on United with round-trip purchase)

For the lowest fares, travel Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday through March 1, 2007. Fares are higher on other days, and this sale doesn't apply to Sunday travel. A 10-day advance purchase is required. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 PM EST on December 14, 2006. We expect other airlines to match this sale on many routes, although they may require a round-trip purchase.

Colorado Sale

American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) has some amazingly low fares to Gunnison/Crested Butte (www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com) and Montrose, the gateway to Telluride (www.tellurideskiresort.com) for travel through Feb. 15 with some holiday blackouts. Below are some sample round-trip fares before taxes and fees. Click on the links for more information:

Gunnison:

• Atlanta: $228
• Austin: $228
• Boston: $228
• Cleveland: $268
• Dayton: $228
• Ft. Lauderdale: $238
• Nashville: $228
• Orlando: $198
• St. Louis: $228
• Tampa: $228
• Washington, D.C.: $198

Montrose:

• Albany: $228
• Baltimore: $228
• Charlotte: $268
• Chicago: $248
• Kansas City: $258
• Louisville: $228
• Milwaukee: $228
• New Orleans: $198
• Syracuse: $228

Many more fares are listed on Airfarewatchdog.com. Purchase your ticket by December 4, 2006.

Philadelphia to Anchorage

Delta Air lines (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com) has been offering a great fare on the Philadelphia to Anchorage route for a few weeks now. We keep on expecting them to discontinue this deal, but they don't. What's amazing is that it's even available for travel during the peak summer months. This fare is valid for travel through October of next year, so you can start planning a trip now. And needless to say, if you live in New Jersey, Maryland, or anywhere within a reasonable drive, bus ride, or car trip from Philadelphia, this deal is for you, too. Here are some sample fares including taxes and fees:

Depart April 3, Return April 11

• Philadelphia to Anchorage: $327

Depart July 7, Return July 14

• Philadelphia to Anchorage: $327 (vs. $660 on Alaska Airlines)

Visit www.49threel.com, a website run by Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, and watch some short videos highlighting some of what Anchorage has to offer.

Puerto Rico and St. Thomas

United Airlines (tel. 800/864-8331; www.united.com) is having a winter sale on travel to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Seats to St. Thomas are very difficult to find. Here are some sample fares including all taxes and fees:

Depart January 12, Return January 23

• Columbus to San Juan: $237 (with Continental matching)
• Boston to St. Thomas: $450 (vs. next lowest $401 on American)

Depart February 13, Return February 21

• San Francisco to San Juan: $427 (with American matching)

So, most of these fares are being matched by other airlines. For the lowest fares, travel Monday through Friday. Complete all travel by March 9, 2007. There is a 3-day advance purchase requirement.

Alaska's 20% Off Sale

Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com) is offering a 20 percent discount on flights between Los Angeles/San Francisco/Arcata/Redding/Reno and Mexico; between San Diego and Los Cabos; or between Washington State/Oregon and Canada. To receive the discount, enter e-certificate code EC06106 when making reservations at alaskaair.com. Travel between December 12, 2006 and February 14, 2006. This offer expires December 3, 2006.

BMI to Manchester

BMI (tel. 800/788-0555; www.flybmi.com) has announced a sale on its two non-stop routes to Manchester, England from Chicago and Las Vegas. Connecting service to London and Scotland is available for $38 additional one-way. Below are some sample fares including all taxes and fees:

Depart December 5, Return December 12

• Chicago to Manchester: $437 with American matching
• Las Vegas to Manchester: $600 (vs. $571 on Continental)

Depart January 7, Return January 14

• Chicago to London: $496 (vs. $530 on American with non-stop service)

As you can see, this deal is being matched or beaten by other airlines. Travel from November 22, 2006 to December 15, 2006 and from December 24, 2006 to March 31, 2007. Book your ticket by December 7, 2006.

Frontier Airlines Sale

Denver's Frontier Airlines (tel. 800/432-1359; www.frontierairlines.com) is starting new non-stop service to Hartford on March 2, 2007, with one way fares as low as $99 one-way (by the way, Midwest Airlines has been selling Denver/Hartford for $150 round-trip lately, but not, of course, on non-stop flights). Frontier is also having a sale, which must be booked by Wednesday November 29, midnight MST, between Denver and various cities, including some in Mexico. Last day of travel is March 9, and the lowest fares are for travel on Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday.

Sample fares via Denver, before taxes, one-way, with round-trip purchase required:

• Acapulco: $109
• Nashville: $79
• Milwaukee: $89
• Puerto Vallarta: $119

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.

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