Fares drop to $19 as low-cost carriers roll out fare sales

Yesterday 3 of the nation's largest low-fare airlines introduced their fare sales for the fall season.   Fare sales by Southwest and its subsidiary AirTran cover flights through early December while Frontier's sale extends into February.  Frontier's sale fares drop as low as $19 each way on some routes, such as Milwaukee-Kansas City and Denver-Kansas City.

Sales by Southwest & AirTran are nearly identical. The sales, which include one-way fares as low as $59 each way (plus taxes and fees) cover travel between Sept. 16 and Dec. 14.

(our personal favorite, Virgin America, didn't announce sales)

Tickets require a 10-day advance purchase and must be purchased by the end of the day Thursday (Sept. 8). The lowest fares are for flights on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Saturdays, though higher sale fares are available on other days. Travel is blacked out from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28.

As for Frontier, its sale tickets also must be purchased by the end of the day Thursday, though Frontier's sale covers flights through Feb. 15. Frontier's fares, which require a 14-day advance purchase, are lowest for Tuesday and Wednesday flights, though higher sale fares are available on other days.  There are several blackout dates around the Thanksgiving and winter holidays.

Frontier's sale fares focus on its hubs of Denver, Milwaukee and Kansas City: Sample one-way fares on Frontier (not including taxes and fees): Denver-Kansas City, $19; Kansas City-Milwaukee, $19; Denver-Phoenix, $49; and Milwaukee-New York LaGuardia, $79.