Covid Fare Trend: If You Have Firm Travel Dates or Could, Now Is the Time to Book Domestic Premium Flights to Save 52%
If you’re the type of traveler who can plan ahead, this is a golden opportunity for you. Do you have set travel plans this year to visit family/friends over the holidays, for special family gatherings, to celebrate a birthday or a missed milestone due to covid? If so, there are tremendous opportunities to book now and save BIG.
Finally, Premium Domestic Fares Are Coming to the Party
We’ve been seeing a bunch of low flash fares lately in coach, but very little in the premium cabins. You might think of the new deals as a covid kickstarter and a short-term stimulus for new lower premium domestic fares.
Here are some examples of great new fares for premium cabins:
In mid-May, FCF found new lower transcontinental First Class fares starting at $597 round-trip for travel in June from New York to Seattle, and Los Angeles to Orlando or Boston for $737 for travel in July. Amazing stuff.
Then, on May 27, JetBlue added New York to Seattle for $621 in First Class, for travel July and August.
And then, on June 3, we found even more lower transcontinental First Class fares for June through November travel, starting at $621 on the Boston-to-Seattle route for travel in July, $641 Raleigh to Seattle for travel July through November, $737 San Diego to New York for travel June and July, $742 Tampa to Los Angeles for travel June and July, $746 San Jose to New York for travel June and July, and much more. For details, go here.
Plus, the most expensive transcontinental routes, non-stop New York to San Francisco or Los Angeles are seeing a fare drop of up to 35% in Business Class on American, Delta, JetBlue, and United.
BTW: Fares work either direction for all routes mentioned.
In fact, one deal offered domestic First Class tickets for travel in June for the same cost as coach on Delta once you add in extras such as preferred seating and checked bags (see details below).
Free Upgrade for June Travel:
Cabin Comparison on Delta’s $597 Fare New York-Seattle
Although this Delta deal in First Class just expired, it is still worth mentioning, as the new lowest fare is not much more at $621 for travel on JetBlue.
Delta’s lowest domestic First Class fare is $597, but its Comfort+ section, which includes preferred seating and priority boarding, is $537. So the domestic First Class fare is only $60 more, or $30 each way. That’s even less, or the same cost, as domestic First Class once you factor in the cost of a checked bag ($60 round-trip).
Don’t Get Fooled by an Airline Upsell Option
Airlines know that it’s often easier to up-sell than sell directly. Once you’re booked in coach, they offer little incentives with sneaky price tags attached. You know what we’re talking about: window seats, extra legroom, and checked bags. They may seem small at first glance, but they all add up.
Often, we go into a different state of mind once the seat is booked: “Now that I’ve got my low-cost seat, I might add a few creature comforts, because it’s still going to be way cheaper. Right?”
“Right…?”
Depending on the route and airline, upsell options can cost as much as a domestic First Class seat, and that’s a real value killer–especially when you consider the miserable experience of coach.
The lesson, of course, is to always check the cost of a domestic First Class seat, because all the upsells and extras can add up in economy.
Time to Book Known Travel Dates
JetBlue’s New York-to-Seattle fare for $621 for travel July and August is not much more if you need to travel September through December, ranging from $797 to $814. So, if you have set travel plans to see family or friends later in the year for birthdays, family gatherings, or maybe even to celebrate missed milestones during covid, now is the time to book low domestic premium fares.
The Price of Elite Status
Currently, we’re seeing JetBlue undercutting United on the New York-Seattle route. The fare difference is $621 on JetBlue while United’s fares start at $925. That’s a difference of 33%. That’s the cost of being an elite-focused traveler. If you are a United elite who’s locked-in then you’re likely missing out.
Should You Use Miles or Points
for a Transcontinental Flight?
Miles are great to have, but there’s no need to use them for free awards or upgrades when domestic fares are this low. If you have miles, save them for another time when ticket prices are high.
What a Difference a Month Can Make
An example of a covid-kickstarter fare and a short-term stimulus is Boston-Seattle on JetBlue, which goes for $621 round-trip in July. Compared to the August fare starting at $821, that’s a savings of $200 (24%). Not bad.
The Risk of Booking Domestic Travel with Cash
American, Delta, United, and JetBlue all have a cancellation/change waiver policy for new tickets purchased by June 30. The waiver does not give a cash refund on non-refundable tickets, but you can change your flight for free.