Fare Sales Often Lost in Translation

In this Washington Times post, writer Nicholas Kralev explains how the U.S airline industry continues to mislead customers when they advertise airfare sales.  A banner advertisement of cheap flights to Orlando, for example, is followed by fine print stating the price is for each direction based on round-trip purchase. Kralev asks, "So if a round trip is required to get the quoted price, why aren't fares advertised in the actual amount you need to pay for a round trip?" Read the rest of the story. 

Take A Winter Break and Fly South

Good seasonal fares now available for travel over the next few months.

Here is sampling of fares, recently lowered by the airlines, for flights South into Mexico and South America. Other cities are available.

Book early, availability and pricing can change at any moment. All sample fares have been verified for availability.

-San Francisco to Sao Paulo, Brazil (pictured above): $783 RT, "all in" (taxes and fees included).
TAM Airlines via Miami or JFK. Fare valid through January 2009.

-San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico: $297 RT, "all in."
American Airlines. Fare valid through mid-December 2008.

-San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: $325 RT, "all in."
United and American Airlines. Fare valid through mid-December 2008.

-San Francisco to Bogota, Columbia: $570RT, "all in."
Delta Airlines.Fare valid into much of 2009.

Visit Farecompare for more travel ideas.

Midweek Round Up Of Airfares

Thanks to a significant drop in the price of crude oil, many airlines recently announced a drop in fuel surcharges. These charges were choking the price of an airline ticket adding $50-$250 to the price of a round trip flight. Delta, American, United, Air France and Virgin Atlantic all announced cuts in fuel surcharges. Other airlines are maintaining the heavy fee citing unpredictable short term charges in the cost of oil.

Now may be the time to capitalize on recent drops in fuel surcharges, and discounts on some routes. Here is a roundup of fares from Wednesday morning. All prices below are round trip and include all taxes and fees. Most travel dates valid through Fall 2008, some longer.

San Francisco to:
Long Beach $118 (JetBlue/B9)
Seattle $149 (Virgin America/VX and Alaska/AS)
San Diego $118 (Virgin America/VX)
San Jose, CR $513 (Continental/CO))
San Juan, PR $304 (U.S Airways/US)

Sacramento to:
Berlin , DE $765 (United/UA and Continental/CO)
Cabo San Lucas $329 (United/UA)

Santa Rosa to:
Las Vegas $179 (Horizon/QX)

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Early Fall International Airfare Sale Now In Progress

Certainly not the best fares we've seen historically, but these deals aren't to shabby either.
The examples below are all confirmed airfares for early Fall travel (September/October) but may be available on other dates as well. All fares displayed include taxes and fees. If you don't see your favorite city displayed, by all means...start looking for it. www.farecompare.com and www.travelocity.com (flexible dates option) and www.airfarewatchdog.com are all good places to start.

San Francisco to Hong Kong $784 RT (Asiana Airlines)
San Francisco to Cancun $306/ RT (Mexicana Airlines)
San Francisco to Frankfurt $599/ RT (U.S Airways)
San Francisco to Dublin $712/RT (United)
San Francisco to Madrid $895/ RT (US Air)

Southwest Airlines Coast-to-Coast Sale in progress

Fly from the Bay Area to the East Coast for $99 bucks each way. Must travel Tuesdays or Wednesdays Until May 8th. Book tickets soon. Fly from any Bay Area Airport to Buffalo, Long Island, Hartford, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Norfolk and other cities. Visit: www.swa.com

San Francisco - Hong Kong $662 roundtrip, taxes included. United Airlines.
Fall fare valid through December 7. Minimum stay requirements apply.
Visit united.com fare basis code: SXLAX7

San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico $142rt+ tax ($240 "all in") Mexicana Airlines
Fare valid on various days through December 31st. www.farecompare.com