Airfare Expert: How to save on summer holiday airfares
— -- Summer vacation is coming, so it's time to start shopping for flights. However, three particularly popular travel periods include some pricey pitfalls. Here are some strategies to work around them.
What are the most popular travel periods for summer?
The three summer holidays will be celebrated this year as follows:
Memorial Day - Monday, May 28
Independence Day - Wednesday, July 4
Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 3
And the problem is?
Holidays are expensive, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or the celebration of American independence. You'll see this by checking out some of the latest airline deals. Take last week's Virgin America sale, which included these blackout dates: May 25, 28; July 1, 4; Aug. 31; and Sept. 3. Get the picture?
So how can I save?
Actually, three of the dates listed above not blacked out by some of the other airlines are the actual dates of the holidays. You must compare prices on a flexible-search calendar to see who's doing it and who isn't, but generally speaking, the cheapest day to fly in a holiday period is on the holiday itself. This is usually true whether we're talking about Thanksgiving Day or the Fourth of July.
You can run into sharply higher prices by flying in and out the day before and after a holiday (or even a couple of days in either direction). If you want to fly on a weekend, remember that Saturdays will generally be cheaper than Fridays or Sundays. Again, look at a pricing calendar to compare.
What are some other ways to save on summer airfares?
Have you checked with Groupon and LivingSocial lately?
Two weeks ago, a LivingSocial deal from JetBlue landed in my inbox: Pay $25 to get $75 off a flight from Dallas to Boston. I was a bit skeptical, thinking this fifty-buck discount wouldn't apply to any of the airline's 'sale' fares, but a nice woman with JetBlue told me that yes, the deal will work on discounted tickets (though not with other 'promo code' specials).
"We are always seeking new ways to introduce JetBlue to new customers," said JetBlue's Tamara Young, "and show our appreciation to existing customers." Moral of the story: check your e-mail.
Another way to save: Use your accumulated miles, especially if airfares rise above $425 roundtrip.
Which U.S. cities offer great airfare deals this summer?
Try these two All-American cities:
Boston. Lots of low-cost carrier competition makes this city one of the cheaper U.S. destinations; find flights on Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and Virgin America. Then enjoy the Boston Pops and the spectacular fireworks.
Washington, D.C. What's interesting here is the number of discount airlines that have applied to fly into city-close Reagan National Airport, including Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America. All hope to be flying into the nation's capital this summer on select routes.
And remember, once it's time to start shopping - about three months from your departure date, so if you'll be flying through June you should be buying soon - wait 'til Tuesday at 3 p.m. to get the biggest collection of cheap flights to choose from.
FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick ( @rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.
