The dealSummer may be coming to a close, but autumn fare sales are just heating up. If your dream vacation has been simmering on the back burner, now's the time to take to the skies, thanks to some outstanding off-season rates. An all-out fall fare war has been launched between some of the big-dog carriers, translating to domestic fares from $39, and flights to international locales in Mexico, Europe, and beyond from just $79. Plus, innovative offers like unlimited flight passes, family flight plans, and more mean additional savings this fall.
;
The deal: It’s baaack. AirTran’s near-system-wide sale has returned once again with rock-bottom domestic fares starting from as little as $39 each way. The sale even includes some jaw-dropping rates to Cancun from just $79 each way and Puerto Rico from $99. Plus, as an added bonus, AirTran is offering an instant $25 “e-credit” towards flights to/from Florida. Just enter your e-mail address on the promotional page, and have the voucher sent directly to your inbox. The best part is that the credit is applied per email address, so if you have more than one email account, you can get two credits and opt to book two one-way flights (rather than a round-trip) to doubles your savings. The e-credit must be booked by October 31, for travel through December 18.
Sample one-way fares: Atlanta–Charlotte: $39; New York–Miami:$74; Boston–Baltimore: $39; and more
Book by: August 25
Travel by: December 16
The catch: They’ll still get you in baggage fees. Expect to hand over $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second.
The deal: These new mountain fares from low-cost carrier Frontier are a breath of fresh air. Turn your ho-hum weekend into an outdoor fall adventure in Aspen, Denver, Colorado Springs, and more, starting from $44 each way. This sale also includes hundreds of other city pairs nationwide, but is a real standout for its Colorado mountain fares, which are valid well into the peak ski-season.
Sample one-way fares: Albuquerque–Denver: $44; Denver–Aspen: $59; Wichita–Grand Junction: $79; and more
Book by: August 24
Travel by: February 10, 2010
The catch: Blackout days apply during popular holiday weekends.
$343+: Rome fares via New York on Eurofly (round-trip)
The deal: Eurofly is making heads spin with their unheard-of low fares for fall travel to Rome, starting from just $343 round-trip – with fuel surcharges included (though additional taxes and fees to apply). Flights are available on select dates in September and October from New York City, but are based upon availability.
Book by: ASAP
Travel by: October 16
The catch: Many of the outbound and return flight dates aren't conveniently paired and in some instances, in order to snag the sale fares, you'll have to book legs of your journey as far as two weeks apart.
$442+: European fall fares on American Airlines (round-trip)
The deal: Fall is a fantastic time to visit Europe, when crowds are sparse and hotel rates are down. American Airlines’ fare sale leaves no rock unturned, including sale fares from more than 20 cities in the U.S. to more than 15 destinations in Europe like Paris, London, Dublin, Barcelona, and more. Fly anytime – no blackout dates apply – with round-trip fares starting from just $442.
Sample round-trip fares: New York–London: $442; Denver–Frankfurt: $480; Tampa–Madrid: $498; Boston–Zurich: $540; and more
Book by: August 26
Travel by: October 25
The catch: While traveling in September is ideal, temps can drop considerably in some cities once October rolls around. Pack accordingly.
$656+: Round-trip fares to Japan on JAL
The deal: It’s not uncommon to find fare sales to Asia for less than $800 round-trip, but typically these low advertised prices are unique to West Coast cities. Japan Airlines’ new fare sale includes some surprising rates from cities nationwide, including fares to Japan from the East Coast starting from as little as $683 round-trip, including fuel surcharges (but excluding taxes and fees).
Sample round-trip fares: New York–Tokyo: $726; LA–Osaka $656; Boston–Tokyo: $683; Denver–Nagoya: $733; and more
Book by: September 1
Travel by: October 1–25
The catch: There is a relatively short window of travel.
The deal: West Coast dwellers can take off to paradise for peanuts with this stellar fare sale from Air Pacific. Round-trip fares to Nadi, Fiji start from as little as $565 from Los Angeles, while sale fares to other Pacific destinations like Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand are on offer, too.
Sample round-trip fares from L.A. to: Fiji $565; Auckland $615; Brisbane; Sydney $565; and more
Book by: September 15
Travel by: Select dates through March 2010 (varies by destination)
The catch: Taxes are hefty; expect an additional $300 to $350 to be added to the base fare – though, it’s still a great deal.
Free family flights to Mexico on AeromexicoThe deal: Aeromexico is taking a lesson from cell phone companies by introducing its own version of a family plan. Buy three or four tickets (depending on where you are flying) on select routes between the U.S. and Mexico and receive one ticket – for an adult or a child – for free. Some destinations included in this offer are Los Cabos, Guadalajara, Cancun, and Mexico City.
Book by: December 15
Travel by: Ongoing, however some blackout dates apply.
The catch: Most of the applicable U.S. departure cities are in the South, so travelers from the rest of the country will have to catch a connecting flight to take advantage of this offer.
Terms and conditions
Check for the best rates on hotels anywhere across the globe with QuickSearch. All prices, dates, and booking details listed above were valid at the time of publication. Some information may have changed since that time.
is a guide to top travel deals and destinations. which features the best editor-screened deals from hundreds of travel providers and is delivered to over 2.5 million subscribers, free, each week. ShermansTravel also publishes to inspire, guide, and go.