Continental to Cut Post-Holiday Fares

Continental Airlines instigated a new round of fare cutting Wednesday, discounting some post-holiday fares by up to 35% to attract more business during the normally slow period for the industry.

The new fares are available to most U.S. destinations during the early winter vacation period.

The Houston carrier is allowing a free travel-date change for the sale tickets to encourage their purchase as a Christmas gift. Changes must be made at least seven days before travel begins. Northwest isn’t allowing the free change under its match of Continental’s sale, Northwest spokesman Jon Austin said.

The special fares are non-refundable, must be purchased on a round-trip basis and must include a Saturday stay. Seats are limited.

American, United and Northwest airlines said later in the day they would match the sale in markets where they compete with Continental. Spokesmen for Delta and USAir weren’t available to comment on whether they would follow suit.

Sale tickets must be bought by Dec. 11 for travel between Jan. 5 and Feb. 14. The maximum 35% reduction is available only for mid-week travel, while weekend fares will be reduced up to 25%.

For example, a round-trip flight from Miami to Aspen, a Colorado ski resort, would cost $318, compared to $450--a 29% reduction. A round trip from Denver to New Orleans would cost $238, a 34% reduction from the regular fare of $360.

Continental’s fare discounting was the latest move in an increasingly confused fare picture. Earlier this week, a number of big airlines hiked all air fares $10 to $30 for travel beginning Dec. 9.

Any tickets purchased under the sale won’t be affected by a mileage-based fare increase that will boost most ticket prices $10 to $30 each, beginning Dec. 9.