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$49 O/W Domestic Sale Fares on Frontier*
Frontier's latest promotion, a match of Southwest's sale, offers travel through spring. The lowest fares are often matched or beaten by Continental, Delta, Northwest, and Southwest. In some cases, the competition offers $84 in savings.
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Top Five Off-Peak Destinations for Winter 2009/2010
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
While many winter travelers head to the beach or to popular ski resorts, savvy tourists can take advantage of fewer crowds and off-peak deals for fabulous vacations.
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Southwest Is Mostly Mum on New Rapid Rewards Program
by Tim Winship
The architect of Southwest's new program provides some perspective on the current and future Rapid Rewards. But details of the new program, to be launched next year, remain scarce.
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$116 R/T American Sale Matches Southwest, United, and Others*
Why does American's latest sale look so familiar? Because it's nearly identical to competing promotions from Southwest, United, and Frontier. Add it all up and you've got a major fare war. And that's a huge win for bargain hunters.
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$248 R/T Thanksgiving Day Sale From United*
Just like Southwest, United has posted its own last-minute Thanksgiving holiday sale, and these prices are competitive. Also look into JetBlue for fair fares. Destinations include Los Angeles, Rock Springs, and Washington, D.C.
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Full Flights Will Cost Flyers (Not Just Money)
by Tim Winship
If the new airline reality is full flights throughout the year, flyers should expect more congestion and frustration. And higher ticket prices.
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Allegiant Boots Mom and Noisy Kids, But No Refund
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
For the second time this month, an airline removed a mother and her children, both of whom were causing a scene. But the real story here is Allegiant's complete lack of sympathy.
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$75 O/W Last-Minute Thanksgiving Day Sale on Southwest*
Just in time for that last-minute booking, Southwest has announced a Thanksgiving sale with dates encompassing the holiday period. Several carriers, including AirTran, Delta, Northwest, and US Airways, are also competing.
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$49 O/W Southwest Ski Sale*
Southwest's latest sale features ski destinations Denver, Reno/Tahoe, and Salt Lake City. Unfortunately for Southwest, AirTran, Delta, and US Airways, among others avalanche on its offer with, oftentimes, lower prices.
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$51 O/W Seattle Winter Fares on Southwest*
In time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Southwest's latest sale features travel to Seattle. Promotional fares start at $51 one-way but we found that on most routes AirTran, American, JetBlue, among others, offer savings of about $100.
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Low-Cost Carriers: Total Domination, or Bust!
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Darn those low-cost carriers, they've gone and grabbed a full thirty percent of the market from the big boys. How did they do it, and is there any stopping them?
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$49 O/W Milwaukee New Route Sale on Southwest*
Southwest is offering new service to Milwaukee, and with it comes competition. Although Southwest has fair pricing on a couple of routes, you'll likely have better luck finding a lower fare on AirTran, Continental, Delta, or Frontier.
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Passengers Unwilling to Pay for Wi-Fi
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Airlines are scrambling to provide in-flight wireless access, presumably because travelers are clamoring for the service. But is anyone really using it?
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$118 R/T United Matches Southwest Sale*
United attempts to match Southwest's latest offer with sale fares to many domestic destinations this winter. The two airlines come head-to-head in the low-fare war, and Spirit also joins the competition.
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$59 O/W Southwest Sale on 2,500 Routes*
Southwest's latest sale includes destinations like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Las Vegas. Half of the researched routes offer savings, while the other half are beaten by carriers like JetBlue, AirTran, Continental, Delta, and Northwest.
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Early Birds Will Get the Best Family Vacation Deals Next Year
by Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Not sure if a vacation is within your budget for next year? A host of possibilities are available on the cheap, and you may be pleasantly surprised with what's affordable in early 2010.
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Grim Outlook for Free Flights This Fall
by Tim Winship
Flights were full in October, leaving little room for award travelers. If that's a portent of things to come, a window of opportunity for mileage redeemers will have slammed shut.
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Southwest Kicks Off Mom and Noisy Two-Year-Old
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Southwest booted a 'cranky' two-year-old and his mother last week, and has since apologized and reimbursed. But did the airline make the right choice in the first place?
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No Easy Solution to Airline Baggage Woes
by Ed Perkins
Are we better off checking our bags or carrying all our stuff on board the plane? Given what's happening with the airlines, this is one of those questions with no simple answer.
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United's Baggage Subscription Could Save You Money
by Ed Perkins
While you may scoff at United's $249 yearly baggage subscription, seniors, families, and frequent flyers should take a closer look. Ed Perkins explains how this fee can work for you.
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Why Is Southwest Travelers' Favorite Airline?
by Ed Perkins
We love certain airlines and avoid others at all costs. Ed Perkins investigates one survey's results to explain why Southwest wins top honors and why US Airways has some work to do.
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Best Airlines by Traveler Test
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Ed Perkins examines the pros and cons of airline reader surveys, and finds that they can be useful if you employ some healthy skepticism.
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How to Save on Airfare Even After You've Booked
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Booking doesn't necessarily mean you're done shopping. There are a handful of little-known tricks that give you a chance to save money even after you've purchased a ticket.
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Southwest Launches Eco-Friendlier Plane
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Southwest is trying out a few eco-friendly (and money saving) products on one of its aircraft, flying mostly between Chicago and Boston.
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Southwest Adds Flights to Panama City
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Southwest will begin flying to Florida's panhandle in May. Panama City is Southwest's seventh destination in the Sunshine State.
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The Top Five Frequent Flyer Deals for October 2009
by Tim Winship
This month, we feature promotions from American, Continental, Southwest, United, US Airways, and 10 hotel chains. Among the offers: more miles and points, and faster elite perks.
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Southwest Targets Frequent Flyers' Wallets
by Tim Winship
Everyone's favorite airline plans to add fees when it launches its revised mileage program next year. Where's the love, Southwest?!
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Should We Pity the Airlines?
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Tired of taking a beating for adding and raising fees, some airlines are trying to explain their side of the story. And honestly, they may have a point.
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Can Airlines Possibly Charge for Anything Else?
by Ed Perkins
Food, drinks, baggage, and now seat assignments. Ed Perkins debates whether the onslaught of airline fees will ever end and explains what you can do in the meantime.
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Go Tropical this Winter For Under $500
by The Deal Detective, SmarterTravel.com Staff
The Deal Detective helps a student on a college budget plan a tropical getaway this winter, and destinations include Hawaii and Mexico.
