This is typically the time of year when potential fliers bemoan the fact that cheap travel is impossible because no cheap airplane tickets are available for people who change their minds regarding holiday travel.
After following years of hiking up ticket prices for people who decide shortly before the holidays that they want to fly, the airlines are finally giving travelers a break this holiday season, according to AOL (American On Line).
Seven airlines (American Airlines, United, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, Frontier, AirTran and Midwest) announced that they will waive all advance purchase rules for tickets between today and January, 4, 2010.
This means that someone who wants to purchase a ticket on the same day that decision is made could purchase that ticket for as little as $300 vs. $1,800 under the previous purchase rules.
The least expensive tickets are available on December 16, 17, 25, and January 1and 4.
The second cheapest group of airfares is about 30% more than the cheapest fares. Travel for this group is on December 18, 20, 21, 24, 30 and 31.
The third least expensive group is around 55% more than the lowest fares, with travel dates of December 19, 22, 23, 26, 28 and 29.
Travel dates of December 27 and January 2and 3 have no been included in this sale and will most likely be much more costly.