Fliers Win When Airlines 'War'

— -- A recent headline screamed, "Fare wars making a comeback."

It was an attention grabber alright but there's another phrase that could have been used to describe the situation: fall pricing. Not as exciting but a lot more accurate. On the other hand, there actually are a few battles to report, and when you toss in the depressed prices of the back-to-school season, an unlikely victor emerges: not the airlines but you, the passenger.

Nice to be on top for a change but how long will it last and what's the catch? A little analysis followed by some money-saving recommendations.

First, the price of fuel is low. Thursday's crude per-barrel price of $38.60 wasn't a record breaker, but it was close and is light years from July 2008's price of near-$150. Cheaper jet fuel helps the airlines make a profit and while it hasn't turn them into charitable organizations, they seem to be feeling a little more generous than usual. We saw this in action in American Airlines' latest sale offering Washington, D.C. - Indianapolis flights for a mere $71 round-trip.

That's not a war, but I would classify the nation's capital as something of a battleground thanks to lots of hot deals to and from D.C. Another skirmish continues in Texas where Dallas remains a deal-magnet ever since the lifting of Wright Amendment restrictions that now allow Texas-based Southwest to fly long-hauls from Love Field. Meanwhile, Austin is coming on strong with low fares, too, and plenty of airlines have joined in on deals to and from both Texas cities.

Still, you can't call that a war because the biggest factor in today's lower prices is seasonal. Forget the calendar, airline autumn began Aug. 25 and the cheaper ticket prices prove it. Sure, some airlines are acting like combatants with super-aggressive pricing; Frontier's recent $15 one-way fares leap to mind, but wars aren't fought on 'select days only' and that's when the best deals are usually available for flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays only.

My advice for anyone who wants to take advantage of these deals is to be as flexible as possible. Fly unpopular days; you're already flying during a less popular season which is why the steals are available. We've seen deals to Europe on Norwegian Air Shuttle for about $200 one-way.

But, forget the classic airfare war scenario. There are only four real domestic combatants available these days anyway, and that's because the shrinking numbers of airlines has left American, Delta, Southwest and United controlling about 80 percent of U.S. traffic. Interlopers like Spirit and Frontier flinging about under-$50 round-trips is just an insurgency given the dominance of the four main combatants.

But enjoy the skirmishes. In fact, enjoy them quickly and book now because they won't last forever. In mid-November, prices will jump like crazy, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Can't fly now? Good news. Prices drop with a thud after the first week in January. In fact, the Norwegian Air Shuttle just launched a few surprises including deals to Europe - in January - starting around $150 one-way. No, that is not a typo.