Here's a round-up of bargain airfare deals for fans of the sun, the beach or the big city:
With a one-week advance purchase notice, travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico (no passport required for U.S. citizens) at one-way rates of $112.70. Delta Air Lines offers this low rate on any of its five daily nonstop flights on trips finished on or before March 31. This is an excellent bargain to pair with deep Caribbean cruises departing from San Juan.
Through Nov. 2, travel with AirTran on any available day of the week to Cancun, Mexico at one-way rates of $163.56. This offer is valid on trips as soon as this week (no advance purchase required). AirTran offers two daily nonstop flights between Atlanta and Cancun.
Delta gets you down to Miami at round-trip rates of $123.60 when trips are finished on or before March 15. Give a three-day or more advance notice of travel. This rate is valid seven days a week, based on sale space availability. A three-night minimum stay is required when departing Atlanta Sundays-Wednesdays -- otherwise stay on Saturday night.
The same $123.60 round-trip rate applies on Delta flights to Miami (10 daily nonstop flights between ATL and Miami) when departing on or after April 17. Trips must be finished on or before May 22. This rate is valid seven days a week, based on sale space availability. A three-night minimum stay is required when departing Atlanta Sundays-Wednesdays -- otherwise stay on Saturday night.
Heading to the big city? Delta offers a round-trip rate of $239.60 to New York-LaGuardia on trips finished on or before May 23. To qualify, travel on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Add $25 each way for travel taken on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays (regular rates apply for Friday and Sunday travel). A 10-day advance purchase notice is required.
American Airlines offers a one-way rate of $119.80 to New York-LaGuardia (seven nonstop flights) and Continental matches this one-way rate on trips to Newark, N.J. (six daily nonstop flights). Follow the Delta rules for New York-Laguardia above.
Note that none of the above offers carries a ticket-by date. So act fast before these deals vanish.
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.
Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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