Cheap Last-Minute Deals to South America and the Caribbean
LAN (tel. 866/435-9526; www.lan.com) is having a great last minute deal to Bogota and Punta Cana from Miami. There are a very select few dates in March that you qualify, but if you're able to pack your bags and just go, it'll save you some moolah. Take these round-trip fares out of Miami for example (taxes and fees included):
- To Bogota: $372 vs. $397 on Lan Chile through Travelocity (depart March 14, return March 21)
- To Punta Cana: $318 vs. $361 on American (depart March 18, return March 25)
There are no specifics on when you must purchase this sale by, but if you can indeed travel at a moment's notice, we suggest you jump on it.
Deal from Calgary or Vancouver to Paris
Zoom Airlines (tel. 866/359-9666; www.flyzoom.com), a little-known airline that's been operating since May 2002 with scheduled and charter services from Canada to the U.K., France and¿the Caribbean is having a good deal to Paris from Vancouver or Calgary starting at $299 one-way before taxes. A sampling of round-trip fares to the City of Light with taxes and fees included:
- From Vancouver: $764 vs. a next lowest $981 on Air Canada (depart June 11, return June 18)
- From Calgary: $774 vs. $1,320 on Air Canada (depart September 9, return September 17)
Not surprisingly, the fares for travel between July and August tend to be a lot higher, but since Zoom flies only one flight per week to Paris from either city it's natural that the lower fares go quickly. Travel between June 11 to October 29, 2006.
Warm-Weather Fares for the U.S.
Northwest Airlines (tel. 800/225-2525; www.nwa.com) is having a sale for spring and summer travel that covers all U.S. cities it serves. Unfortunately, like most wide sweeping sales that the airlines offer, this sale isn't all that good. Playing with a bunch of different dates and destinations, none of the Northwest fares are lower the competition. Here's a sample of round-trip fares with taxes and fees included:
- Minneapolis to Miami: $219 vs. $216 on USAir (although NWA is non-stop vs. a connection in Charlotte on USAir; Depart April 19, return April 26)
- Indianapolis to Los Angeles: $179 matched by AirTran (depart May 10, return May 17)
- Detroit to Tampa: $219 vs. $210 on AirTran (non-stop vs. on NWA vs. connection in Baltimore on AirTran; Depart June 6, return June 13)
- Washington, D.C. to New Orleans: $234 vs. $174 on American (depart July 12, return July 19)
If you want to try your luck, you might find a lower fare, but this is the sale of the century. Travel Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday through August 23, 2006, except between Detroit and Baltimore, travel begins May 18. Travel to Florida is Monday through Wednesday and from Florida is Tuesday through Thursday. Blackouts on March 25; April 1, 7-9, 13-14 & 17; May 26 & 29; June 29-30; and July 1-2 & 7-9, 2006. Tickets must be purchased by March 9, 2006.
Spirit Sale for Travel Through June
Spirit Airlines (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com) is having a Syber Sale for travel through June with fares starting at $58 round-trip. Here's what we found, poking around Spirit's site (taxes and fees included, all round-trip):
- Ft Lauderdale/Nassau (depart March 14, return March 21): $85 vs. $131 also on Spirit through Travelocity
- Orlando/Cancun (depart April 5, return April 12): $259 vs. $272 also on American
- Detroit/Grand Cayman (depart May 16, return May 23): $446 vs. $496 also on Spirit through Travelocity, or $523 on United, which is the next lowest fare
- New York LaGuardia/Kingston (depart June 6, return June 13): $290 vs. $300 on USAir
The savings are there for this sale, especially if you're looking to plan ahead as this is for travel through June 21, 2006, and travel Tuesday and Wednesday only ¿ there are exception for certain destinations for check the site for details. Blackouts on April 11-12 & 18-19; and May 24 & 30-31. Tickets must be purchased by March 12, 2006, 11:59PM EST.
JetBlue's "Countdown Sale"
JetBlue (tel. 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com) is having a 4-day online-only sale, and more often than not, you really can't miss their sales and their fares tend to be the lowest, and are will be matched by the competing airlines within a few hours or a few days. Most of the sale fare involved Boston and New York JFK to JetBlue destinations, with a few other thrown in. Here's a few samples ¿ taxes and fees included:
- Long Beach/Las Vegas (depart March 14, return March 21): $132 vs. $213 on Delta
- New York JFK/Orlando (depart March 14, return March 21): $146 vs. $148 on AirTran/Delta
- Boston/Tampa (depart March 29, return April 5): $159 vs. $160 on Song
- Washington, D.C./Ft Lauderdale (depart March 29, return April 5): $158, matched by Spirit, United and USAir
While the samples showed a few of the competitors giving JetBlue a run for their money, the sale is a still a good one and worth checking out. 7-day advance purchase required, and travel Tuesday and Wednesday only through April 5, 2006. All tickets must be booked by April 5, 2006.
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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