The week wraps up with a few surprise airfare sales which will delight bargain hunters longing for Europe.
The most recent (and welcome) sale comes from Delta Air Lines. The carrier offers rates of $839.60 to London, England; $842.90 to Edinburgh, Scotland and $872.20 to Glasgow, Scotland. These round-trip deals are valid when departing Mondays-Wednesdays from Aug. 26 through Nov. 15. Weekend travel is $30 more, each way. There is a slight catch. Travelers must stay a minimum of seven nights (one year maximum). Delta offers nonstop service to London from Atlanta. Service to Scotland requires a flight change in Amsterdam (stopovers not permitted). Buy tickets through June 12.
United Airlines and partners Air Canada and Lufthansa has recently launched a big sale to Paris for summer trips. Round-trip rates of $858.40 from Air Canada and $863.80 with Lufthansa or United are valid on departures started on or before Aug. 11. Add $25 for one-way weekend travel (Friday, Saturday outbound; Friday-Sunday inbound). Give at least a one-week advance notice of travel. Buy tickets through June 19. Air Canada serves Paris via Toronto; United or Lufthansa by way of Washington, D.C.-Dulles.
For travelers with deeper pockets, Air France invites you to sit up front in Business Class when heading to Europe. Through June 27, buy round-trip tickets to Munich, Germany at $3,179; $3,558 to Paris or $3,644 to Madrid, Spain. Other destinations are discounted. To qualify, give a 28 day or more advance notice of travel. Depart by Sept. 3. Trips must be finished on or before Sept. 6. Plan to stay at least one Saturday night, or up to 90 days. Buy tickets through June 27.
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 or Mobissimo.com vs. calling an airline directly. You can also search for the sale at travel websites such as Expedia or Travelocity, etc.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
