The Best Airfare Sale You’re Going to See in Months

Southwest Airlines earned its wings as a low-cost carrier, but these days the airline only launches an aggressive sale two or three times per year.

In a new three-day sale launched Oct. 13, Southwest is offering flights starting at $49 one way on most routes for travel into 2016 (Dec. 2 – Feb. 10, with blackouts around Christmas and New Year’s). If You’re on a Budget, This is When You Should Travel

A new Southwest sale? Big deal, right?

Actually, yes it is a big deal. Here’s why this sale is the airfare event of the fall.

1. These fares are $20-$25 each way cheaper than their usual sale fares.

2. The dirty little secret of the airfare world is this: If you’re booking a fare on United, Delta or American — there’s a good chance that the fare you’re booking was actually set by Southwest.

In this post-merger world, more than 80% of domestic air travel is controlled by those four airlines — so market competition doesn’t really drive down fares any more. The Big Four would rather you choose your flights based on loyalty, flight times, amenities … anything really, instead of price.

Fare wars — when one airline discounts fares and forces others to follow suit or lose market share — are more or less a relic of the past. Except when one of the Big Four go off the script — like this Southwest sale.

3. Expect other airlines to match (or beat) these fares for the next three days. Frontier has already gotten into the game, offering up 300,000 seats for as low as $19 each way (after a $5 off promo code) this fall (Oct. 20 – Dec. 16). And, if you look closely at this new United sale, it’s almost a direct match of the Southwest sale.

Bottom line: It’s a great day to shop for a cheap flight. It’s an early Christmas for those of us that love to fly, but hate to pay retail.

You’ll find the best flight deals if you follow a few simple rules.

1. Be flexible on your dates. Maybe one week is $400 roundtrip for your dream trip, but the following week is $250. A little flexibility goes a long way toward keeping your travel on budget. I love to use the fare calendars in our Today’s Best Fares section to highlight when I can save the most on my trip.

2. Try to fly at least one leg on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. These are the days of the week planes are least full, and so these are the days that most sales target with the lowest fares. By contrast, Friday and Sunday flights are rarely discounted.

3. Consider alternate airports. For example, JetBlue flies to Long Beach instead of LAX — so if you can fly into the LBC, you might save as much as $50-$100 on the flight. Consider the same for Chicago (Midway or O’Hare), New York (JFK, La Guardia, Newark — or for the adventurous Westchester County {HPN} or Trenton {TTN}, the Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose), Dallas (Love or DFW), Houston (Bush or Hobby), Los Angeles (Long Beach, LAX, Burbank, Orange County), South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach), Washington, D.C. (BWI, Dulles or Reagan National).

4. Fly early. The early bird gets the best deal. The first flight out in the morning is often the cheapest of the day — and it’s the most likely one to be on time.

5. Don’t forget about the fees. Are you a heavy packer? Check. Do you want extra legroom? Check. Are you going to want more nourishment than a cup of soda during the flight? Check. Those checks add up when you check-in. Perks like free checked bags on Southwest, or free Wi-Fi on JetBlue — those can make a big difference depending on your preferences.

6. Don’t hunt and peck. A metasearch site such as Fly.com, which searches several airlines and travel agencies at the same time for your itinerary, is a great way to find the best combination of price and date for your future trip.

7. Don’t sleep on a good fare. You’re allowed to cancel your flight at no penalty up to 24 hours after booking, so if you see a great fare, grab it and figure out the details (hotels, time off of work, etc.) later.

All’s fair during airfare wars, and the cheap flights won’t last forever.
tips traveling international

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If You’re on a Budget, This is When You Should Travel

Here at Travelzoo, we’re always looking for the best time to visit destinations around the globe. But by visiting during an off-peak travel period, you can snag a sweet deal. And in some cases, it can make a typically expensive trip downright affordable.

Here’s an example: air-inclusive Turkey vacation packages tend to hover in the $1599-$1899 range, but you can book the same deal for $1299 if you visit in February. So, pack for the appropriate off-peak weather, dress in layers and visit museums without the long lines.

With that in mind, buckle up for this edition of “Low Season, Hot Deal:”

• Thailand – Sure July-October is the rainy season, but the downpours rarely last all day.

• China – Expect blue skies but cold winds November-February, especially on The Great Wall. As a reward, you’ll have entire sections of the wall to yourself.

• Europe – November-February is the calm before spring and summer crowds descend on European cities. You can see so much more when you’re not wasting precious time in line at sites like The Vatican. Plus, isn’t there something romantic about a thin layer of frost on The Eiffel Tower?

• South Africa – December-March isn’t the best for spotting animals, but you can still see plenty of wildlife in between trips to Cape Town’s spectacular beaches.

• Costa Rica – This is during the wet or rainy season, but much like Florida, the rain doesn’t last. May-November is also the best time to see baby sea turtles hatch and an ideal time for advanced white-water rafting trips. Strap in.

• Hawaii – I love this travel period because you’re dodging spring break and summer crowds. Oh, and you get to go to HAWAII. Spring & fall is where it’s at.

• Peru – This is during Peru’s rainy season, when roads can be muddy. Sounds like November-April is a perfect time to book an escorted package (let someone else worry about navigating the roads).

• Israel – I know people that specifically visit Israel in winter. After all, you’re still in the Middle East so January-February usually means more rain, some chilly days but rarely snow. Bring an umbrella, layer up and stockpile your days with plenty of indoor sites.

• Turkey – This is the coldest time of year to visit Turkey, but an ideal time to visit Istanbul. You’ll practically have the city to yourself as you linger at the Blue Mosque and beyond. Avoid the coastal cities as they virtually shut down in February and don’t expect to fly a hot air balloon over Cappadocia during this travel window.

• Australia – We’re hitting the hot, humid, wet summer from October-March so be prepared. I like the idea of hitting the shoulder of this window, maybe September or October, and hoping to get lucky with some more pleasant days.

• Orlando – In winter and when kids go back to school in fall, the crowds die down at Disney World and you can see so much more at the parks. Just check the parks’ sites in advance: Disney tends to use the January-February window to tweak and maintain some of their rides.

• Vegas – What are you doing outside in Vegas anyway? Between Cirque shows, the tables and resort hopping, most of your trip will be inside, especially during summer. Don’t forget, it’s always 65 in a casino. In addition to summer, the 3-4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are another prime time for deals.

• Arizona –  It’s going to be hot, hot, hot. But you can snag a sweet deal at a 4- or 5-star resort. And let’s be real, you’re not swinging that in prime winter.

• Alaska – October, November and April are long, dark days in Alaska and some areas just shut down altogether. Plot our your itinerary accordingly and stick to major cities like Juneau and Anchorage to make sure you’re not charting a course for ghost towns. Tip for cruisers: early May and late summer/early fall is when you should look to set sail.

Want to know more of when to go? traveling international tips

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20 Tips Before Traveling Internationally

If this is your first time traveling abroad, or maybe you just need a refresher here’s a list of 20 tips you should do or bring before your trip.

Security & Health

1. Check-in with your doctor and insurance carrier.

Double check and make sure that you have all of the proper vaccinations and that you have renewed all essential prescriptions. Also, ask you medical insurance provider if your policy applies overseas for emergencies. If it doesn’t, and you want to add extra coverage, consider supplemental insurance.

2. Bring copies of your passport.

If your passport gets stolen or lost you want to be sure that you can still get back into the country, or be able to prove your citizenship.

3. Leave a copy of your passport.

For extra backup, leave a copy of your passport at home or with someone you trust. Consider making an electronic copy you can store in your email account as well.

4. Register with your embassy.

If there’s a problem in the country, this will make it easier for your government to contact you and get you to safety.

Money

5. Look up the monetary conversion before you go.

Finding out that one Danish Krone is equal to just 19 cents … bad surprise. Make sure you do your math before you travel to get a sense of where the conversion rate is at.

6. Make sure your credit card will work in the country you’re visiting.

European banks have switched almost completely to the more secure chip-and-PIN technology, and fewer businesses abroad are accepting the outdated magnetic-strip cards.

7. Go to a bank or ATM in the country you’re visiting.

The conversion centers in the airport or around the city tend to be huge rip-offs. You won’t get charged as many fees at the ATM or the bank, and the conversion will be exact.

8. Always have local cash.

Not every place takes credit cards. Especially important places like trains or buses.

9. Call your bank or credit card provider.

Sometimes banks think that fraud maybe occurring if transactions are suddenly happening in Bali when you’re from Jersey, and they will turn off your card as a security measure.

10. Check the country’s entrance/exit fees.

Some countries require travelers to pay in order to enter or leave the country. These fees are not included in the price of your airline ticket, and can range from $25 to $200.

Local Research

11. Buy tickets now for places you know you want to visit or see.

By buying in advance you’ll be able to skip more lines, and find more deals targeted toward you.

12. Get guidebooks.

Guidebooks usually include maps, key words or phrases, and give you enough detail on certain sites that you won’t need to purchase the pamphlet at the venue. And download apps before you travel. Avoid downloading charges from your wireless carrier and get your apps before you leave.

13. Research events going on while you’re there.This will help you make sure that you’re not missing be events going on in the city. Fun things like festivals, ceremonies and natural events. Also be sure to research as a few national dishes to try. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing what its known for.

Electronics

14. Bring a charger adapter.

Countries have different size plugs and voltage. So if you want to use your iPod, make sure you can charge it.

15. Check the voltage of your electronics.

From my own experience I know that nothing is worse than having an adapter and still not being able to use a blow-dryer or a straightener because the voltage isn’t high enough for that country.

16. Activate your phone’s global capabilities.

There’s usually a charge we doing this, but it is much less than the roaming charges you’ll get if you don’t.

17. Download Travelzoo app.
The Travelzoo app can help you find great deals in a variety of countries, and has options from local deals to transportation options.

Luggage & packing

18. Pack an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Don’t be one of those travelers decked out in J’adore Paris apparel because the airline lost your luggage and you have nothing else to wear.

19. To check a bag or not to check bag.

Each airline has its own set of guidelines as to how many bags can be checked or carried on for free. Make sure to look up what your airline’s rules are to avoid any incremental fees.

20. Bring snacks.

Traveling abroad is fun, but eating in a foreign country can sometimes become a task. Bring small snacks that will tide you over until you find that perfect restaurant or food cart.

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