Southwest Sale Spurs Lower Summer Fares

Consumers may get a break on travel through early August even though leisure fares have increased by as much as 7% this year.

Major airlines quickly lowered fares on competing routes Thursday to match a sale announced in the morning by Southwest Airlines.

“This may be one of the last few great fare sales that we will see for the spring and summer travel seasons,” said Tom Parsons, editor of Bestfares.com.

Some examples of prices for seven-day advance round-trip fares included $198 between Los Angeles and Nashville or Austin, Texas, and $99 flights between Baltimore and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The previous best fare at American Airlines on the Los Angeles-Austin flight was $290, according to spokesman Tim Smith.

The special fares are available for purchase through April 27 for flights until Aug. 4. Tickets are nonrefundable, must be purchased at least seven days in advance, and require a round-trip purchase and an overnight stay.

Even with all the requirements, the fares are worth it, said Parsons, who tracks ticket prices for his Web site.

“What’s good about this fare sale is Southwest is giving us almost a whole month to get our act together. This will be a great week to sit down and review your vacation time and talk to human resources about getting some time off,” Parsons said.