Act quickly to find the best deals on fall travel

by Ed Perkins
(mercurynews.com)

With all the doom and gloom about fuel prices and airline financial problems, you'd think that ordinary travelers would never again find any good deals. Fortunately, that's not true. But to get them you'll have to keep on top of the marketplace and act quickly when you see something you like.

As I'm writing this column, three transatlantic airlines are promoting "sales" for fall or winter travel to Europe: Air France (fall travel), United/Lufthansa (winter travel) and Alitalia (winter travel). All require purchase by July 8, seven days in advance. Alitalia also has a $1 companion-ticket offer on a few routes (but always check the price of the ticket you have to buy before deciding whether a companion offer is really a good deal).

Watch for exclusions

The best deals on European airlines often exclude the line's home country: The lowest prices on Air France, for example, are to Germany by way of France. Clearly, taking advantage of this kind of rate may require that you make a connection in Europe rather than fly non-stop.

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