Airlines set discounted rates in place for holiday season

Travelers who are in debt counseling and trying to find a cheap way home this holiday season may be in luck, as both Southwest Airways and AirTran Airways introduced sales for many flights on Tuesday.

Southwest’s discounted rates will be available over a 48-hour period until midnight on October 29 and for flight from any of the airline’s terminals from December 2 to December 16, 2009 and January 5 to February 10, 2010. Sunday travel is excluded from the deal.

Rates will be as low as $25 for any flights up to 375 miles in length, and increase to $50 for flights between 375 and 549 miles, $75 for flights between 550 and 999 miles, and $100 for flights over 1,000 miles.

AirTran’s special will feature reduced airfare rates for all of its travel destinations through February 10, 2010. With the lowest rates available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, customers can find prices as low as $39 for Boston-Baltimore flights and trips to Aruba at $169 each way.

However, travelers can only take advantage of the AirTran sales until November 10, and all flights must be purchased at least 10 days in advance.