Airfare Deals and News for the Week of Nov. 19, 2010

A last-minute Thanksgiving Sale from AirTran, affordable Virgin America flights, plus how to upgrade your economy-class ticket with frequent-flier miles.

By Frommer's Staff

Airfarewatchdog.com

Thanksgiving Sale from AirTran

Still haven't booked that ticket home for Thanksgiving? Yikes! But hey, all hope is not lost. If you're somewhat flexible, you might have luck with AirTran's (tel. 800/AIR-TRAN; www.airtran.com) new Thanksgiving Sale, valid only on nonstop flights. You'll find the best deals available for off-peak travel Nov. 19, 21, 22, 26, and 30, with slightly higher fares available for travel on Nov. 20 and 25.

Avoid Nov. 28, the lone blackout date.

All tickets must be booked by 11:59pm ET, Nov. 22. Round-trip fares include:

Virgin America's Fares to Fly By

Virgin America's (tel. 877/359-8474; www.virginamerica.com) Fares to Fly By start at $34 one-way, before taxes. Offer is good for travel from Nov. 22 through March 16. All tickets require a 7-day advance purchase. Tickets must be booked by 11:59pm PDT, Nov. 22.

Lower fares available for travel Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Blackout dates are Nov. 27-29, 2010; Dec. 18, 2010; Dec. 23, 2010; Dec. 26, 2010; Dec. 30, 2010; Jan. 2-3, 2011; Feb. 18, 21, 2011.

For service to/from Toronto, fares do not include additional taxes/fees of up to $50, including: Airport Improvement Fee, Canadian Security Fee, Goods and Services Tax, and Harmonized Sales Tax. For service to/from Mexico, fares do not include additional taxes/fees of up to $60, including: Mexico International Departure Tax and Mexico Tourism Tax. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Travel must occur between Nov. 22, 2010 and March 16, 2011, unless specified otherwise. LAX-DFW service begins Dec. 1, 2010. SFO-DFW service begins Dec. 6, 2010. SFO-SJD service begins Dec. 16, 2010. LAX-CUN service begins Jan. 19, 2011. SFO-CUN service begins Jan. 20, 2011.

Other airlines (Southwest... ) may be matching along some routes.

Fall Fares from Frontier

The latest sale from Frontier (tel. 800/432-1359; www.frontierairlines.com) is valid for travel from Noon Monday to Noon Tuesday, through Feb. 16. Fares require a 7-day advance purchase, and must be booked by 11:59 pm ET, Nov. 23.

Blackout dates of Dec. 17-31, and Jan. 1-4 and 14-17 apply.

Round-trip fares include:

Slopes Sale from Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/426-0333; www.alaskaair.com) and Horizon Air will soon begin seasonal service to popular ski destinations, Sun Valley and Mammoth Lakes. Look for service to start Dec. 16, nonstop between Sun Valley and Seattle/Los Angeles, and between Mammoth and Los Angeles/San Jose.

Discounted flights are valid for travel 7-days a week (when available" target="_blank"> with a 330-day travel period, and require a 14-day advance purchase. Round-trip fares will be higher for peak holiday travel.

Using Miles to Upgrade Not Always Easy

Thinking of putting your miles to use for an upgrade from economy? Might not be as simple as you think. Check out our recent Q&A on the matter:

Q: Are all economy-class fares, including the 21-or 14-day advance purchase ones, eligible for upgrading using frequent-flier (air) miles?

A: Find out.

Additional reporting by Tracy W. Stewart

George Hobica is a syndicated travel journalist and blogger whose website, www.airfarewatchdog.com, tracks unadvertised airfare wars and fare sales, including the most helpful and always updated Top 50 Airfares.

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