Yesterday, Southwest Airlines announced that it would run ten non-stop flights out of Boston Logan International Airport to Chicago Midway and Baltimore/Washington for low fares. With five flights at $89 one-way to Chicago, and five at $49 one-way to Baltimore, New Englanders now have access to more convenient non-stop flights.

Other carriers are reacting, but some don’t equal Southwest’s competitive rates. As the trend catches on though, Bostonians may see a fare war that could ultimately result in super low fares from a selection of different airlines, making cheap flights to Chicago and cheap flights to Baltimore an easy find.

We checked out other airlines to see how their prices compared to Southwest’s Boston flights to Baltimore departing August 17th, and arriving August 24th. Delta Air Lines matches Southwest’s $49 one-way fare first, with its $98 round-trip deal, but others are still behind. United Airlines still has rates high in the sky at $268 round-trip, and while US Airways offers a $49 fare on the way there, the return trip costs $106. Continental Airlines offers a $98 round-trip fare, but beware – a three-hour layover in Newark is hidden in between.Will other carriers continue to follow Southwest’s trend? Keep your eyes open to see who has the cheapest Boston flights before August to find out.

Southwest Airlines has launched a new nationwide sale with cheap air fares starting as lows as $49.Sample one-way prices include Burbank flights to Sacramento for $49, Denver flights to Oakland for $69 and Chicago flights to Manchester for $89.These sale fares are must be booked from the airline’s website no later than April 6th. Travel must take place Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays before August 14th.

(more…)

Booking flights and hotels together will almost always guarantee a cheaper travel rate. But, if you can find airlines and hotel partners to offer additional bonuses, you can end up with a free night’s stay or free airline ticket.Southwest flyers needing a few extra miles to make a ticket can earn extra points with a stay at Best Western.Best Western Rewards members have the option of earning half of one point for each stay at any of the 4,000 hotels worldwide.

(more…)