With the cost of travel to Europe or South America rising to round-trip rates of nearly $1,400, a current sale to the Hawaiian Islands seems a relative bargain. Budget travelers may want to consider changing directions this year to take advantage of the deals.
Round-trip rates of $583 to Honolulu are valid on trips started on or after June 1. Stay at least any three nights. Complete travel by Aug. 31 (no blackout dates!). Rates are $10 higher for travel on Fridays-Sundays. The total ticket price, inclusive of all taxes and fees is $646.85.
Other sale destinations include Maui (city code: OGG) at $590; $597 to Kauai (LIH) or Kona (KOA) on the Big Island of Hawaii and $606 to Hilo (ITO), Hawaii. Additional taxes and fees average $64.
Only Continental, United and USAirways offer the sale rate to Honolulu. American and Delta join that trio and match the sale to the other island destinations.
All carriers, with the exception of Delta, permit up to two stopovers for an additional $56, per stop. Stopover cities include Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver or Houston.
Another exception might point you in the direction to travel with USAirways. This carrier permits two free stopovers in Honolulu.
For hotel and resort bargains, check out Bookit.com at www.bookit.com/us/hawaii.
These sale rates do not have a ticket-by date which means they could vanish in hours.
Sale airfares are always subject to change. Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate. Since only a limited supply of seats is available, act quickly to make your purchase. I recommend starting the search for available seats at Kayak.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel Web sites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc. Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer is deemed "sold out," or when that rate does not have a "ticket-by" date.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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