Budget travelers seeking to travel beyond routes served by discount airlines are suffering a unique type of spring fever. The new ailment is sticker shock.
Rates to Canada are averaging $600 round-trip; more than $750 to the Hawaiian Island and Caribbean destinations, and $600 round-trip rates to domestic destinations such as Portland, Ore.
So far this year it has been a rare occurrence to find airfare under $800 to Europe -- and we're still in the low season!
Here's a bit of advice that could save you hundreds of dollars on domestic travel. That is, get in the car and drive north to Chattanooga, Tenn. Not all, but many destinations from the CHA airport are priced far less than those from Atlanta.
Here's a perfect example:
Let's say Ireland is on your short list this year and you prefer to go in the spring when the little lambs are leaping over sunny green fields (vs. winter's blustery gusts).
Prices to Dublin from Atlanta are $1,067.80 during the spring and early summer season. However, start and end your trip from Chattanooga for a total ticket rate of $716.80, a $350 savings.
More details on that Chattanooga deal: Give at least a three day advance notice of travel. Depart by May 22 and finish trips on or before June 15. Weekend travel is $15 more each way. A ticket-by date of March 31 should be ignored. This offer could vanish in a day or two. Act fast!
Delta Air Lines offers this deal on connecting service via Atlanta. But do not believe for a moment that you can simply show up at the ATL airport and board. If you fail to show in CHA for the first flight segment and attempt to board in ATL, Delta has the right to cancel all remaining flight segments and refuse a ticket refund. There is no excuse in the world that will get you on that ATL departure flight (not even a flat tire). Pack a couple of jammin' CDs to make quick time of the road trip to CHA. And remember to always check airfares from CHA. The savings can be substantial.
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 versus 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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