A Golden Alternative

Using alternative airports is a form of creative ticketing that airlines don't really object to, but they will not offer alternative airport options when you call for reservations or book online. If you tell them you want the lowest fare from Chicago to San Francisco, that's the route you'll be quoted, even if the fare to Oakland (11 miles away) is 40% less. If you're looking for a low one-way fare to Los Angeles and call the major airlines, they are certainly not going to tell you about a low-cost carrier flying to nearby Long Beach for just $99.

A reasonable change in departure or arrival airports (or both) can save you hundreds of dollars. This can be due to a price war in a certain market, a low-cost carrier that's causing prices to fall, or other market factors. Alternative airports can also get you to popular destinations at peak times, such as New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Baton Rouge is just 65 air miles away, but when most people think about booking Mardi Gras tickets, they don't give Baton Rouge a thought. If you're heading for the nation's capital, your best bet may be Baltimore, just 30 air miles away.

More distant alternative airports can still provide big advantages. You can save enough to pay for a private limo to your actual destination; you can use a commuter flight to get there; or you can rent a car and trade several hours' time for several hundred dollars in savings. Compare the savings against any possible inconvenience, then decide. Is $50 in savings worth an 80-mile drive? What about a $350 savings and an 80-mile drive? For example, Dallas-Cincinnati roundtrips are going for $450. Dayton, Columbus, Louisville, and Indianapolis are all approximately two hours or less from Cincinnati. The airfare to any of these cities could save you up to 80%.

Cities served by low-cost airlines including Southwest, AirTran, and (for long-haul service) America West offer potential alternative airport savings.

The alternative airport theory also works for international travel. For U.S. departure airports, check fares from major U.S. gateway cities. If you live in Philadelphia, for example, check the fares out of New York City. Be aware of U.S. departure cities for international low-cost carriers including CityBird, LTU, and Icelandair.

Bargain fares to London are almost always available. Consider using them, with rail travel or intra-Europe air tickets. Virgin Atlantic offers $69 rail or air travel within Europe when you purchase specific 21-day advance transatlantic tickets. El Al offers roundtrips from the East Coast to London's Stansted airport year-round at under $300.

For travel to Scandinavia, fly into Germany to be within 100 miles of Denmark with easy access by rail and ferry. Your ticket is likely to be a lot cheaper than if you booked a flight directly to the Scandinavian country. Icelandair flies into Luxembourg (near Belgium, France, and Germany). Its fares are almost always bargains, and the airline will even assist you in discount train travel to Paris or Zurich.

Find alternative airports by taking out a map and looking for nearby cities. Travel agents' computer reservation systems will list alternative airports. Check cities served by low-cost carriers. Don't forget to combine alternative airport fares with discount coupons for maximum savings.

The information that follows lists domestic alternative airports, with air mile distance from the primary airport in parentheses.

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