End the work week with a chance to land an out-and-out travel bargain to a destinations near or far. Some of the day's best deals are valid for travel through early, October, 2012.
W. Palm Beach, Fla.: Through June 1, 2012, travel one-way on AirTran at rates from $90 ($100.70 inclusive of all taxes, fees). Trips are permitted seven days a week with a one-week or more advance purchase notice. AirTran offers daily nonstop service from Atlanta.
Miami, Fla.: Travel nonstop on American at round-trip rates from $94 ($115.40 inclusive). This sale rate is valid on trips finished on or before Feb. 14, 2012. A one-week advance purchase notice is required. Trips are permitted seven days a week. Some blackout dates apply: Nov. 18, 19, 27, 28; Dec. 22, 23, 26 and Jan. 1-12. American serves Miami from Atlanta with daily nonstop flights.
Seattle, Wash.: Travel through Oct. 7, 2012 at one-way rates of $114 ($133.90 inclusive). Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to land this offer over the year-end holidays. There are no blackout dates to avoid. Give at least a two-week advance purchase notice. Sale rates are valid on Continental/United (United and Continental merged last year but continue to operate as separate carriers) with connections in Chicago, Houston or Phoenix.
San Diego, Calif.: One-way rates from $119 ($138.90 inclusive) are valid on trips finished on or before Oct. 7, 2012. There are no blackout dates, but space may be sparse over peak holidays. A two-week advance purchase notice is required. Travel on Continental/United (United and Continental merged last year but continue to operate as separate carriers) with one connection made in Chicago, Houston or Phoenix.
London, England: A round-trip rate of $166 ($750.60 inclusive) is valid on Monday-Wednesday travel in each direction on British Airways. Factor in an extra $25 each way for weekend travel. Start trips now through Dec. 16 or Dec. 25-April 1. A one-week advance purchase notice is required. British Airways serves London with daily nonstop service.
Zurich, Switzerland: USAirways offers a base rate of $176 ($713.10 inclusive) when you depart and return on mid-week days. Start travel through Dec. 16 or from Dec. 25-April 1. Give a one-week advance notice of travel. A one-stop connection is required in Philadelphia.
Act fast on any of the above sale rates. These special deals could vanish at any time.
Airfares are always subject to immediate change. Airlines can discontinue or pull a sale price without notice when the offer does not have a "ticket-by" date or when the offer is deemed "sold out." Every seat on every flight is not offered at the lowest rate and a limited supply of seats is available.
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There is one great sale that has a ticket-by date of Nov. 30. It's a sale from Delta Air Lines to one of the nation's most popular ski destinations -- Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Round-trip rates of $268 ($289.40 inclusive) are available on trips started on or after Dec. 17. This sale rate applies on westbound travel Sundays-Wednesdays and eastbound Tuesdays-Fridays. Factor in an additional $30 each way for other days. Stay at least any two nights. Blackout dates are Dec. 17, 18, 26-28; Feb. 15-19; March 2-4, 9-11 westbound; Dec. 31-Jan. 4; Feb. 20, 21, 25, 26 eastbound. Delta offers one daily nonstop flight to Hayden Airport (city code HDN) and other connecting flights through Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
American Airlines matches this rate and rules with these blackout dates: Dec. 22-Jan. 3; Feb. 15-22; March 8-11, 15-18.
United/Continental also join in on the $268 Steamboat sale with travel permitted Mondays-Wednesdays and Sundays westbound; Tuesdays-Fridays east. United blackout dates are Dec. 17-18, 26-28; Feb. 15-19; March 2-4, 9-11 westbound and Dec. 31-Jan. 4; Feb. 20, 21, 25, 26; March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 east. A minimum stay of any two nights is required.
For any airfare deal you desire, start 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.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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