Timely deal: Ski-season flights to Colorado for less than $200 round-trip
Skiers, get excited: Southwest Airlines is having a 30%-off sale on flights to Colorado Springs and Denver in Colorado during ski season.
There are some blackout dates over prime times, like Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's. However, for flights to the slopes from all over the country for less than $200, you may be able to compromise where you spend the holidays — or take a longer trip and fly on bookend days of the blackouts.
Don't forget to use the promo code SAVE30 when searching flights to see discounted rates and blackout dates.
Oh, and act fast. It's not clear when this sale ends, but it might be Wednesday. Southwest didn't advertise this sale on its site, but in a social media advertisement for the discounted fares to Colorado Springs, the company lists Aug. 3 as the end date.
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Deal basics
Airline: Southwest.
Routes: Flights to Colorado Springs and Denver.
How to book: Directly through the airline using the promo code SAVE30.
Travel dates: Aug. 23-Nov. 16 and Nov. 30-Dec. 15, 2022; Jan. 3-Feb. 15, 2023.
Book by: Aug. 3.
Read more: Southwest Airlines: Reviews, guides and news
Sample flights
There are a lot of routes in this deal, with all flights to Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and Denver International Airport (DEN) at 30% off.
We sampled a few potential routes to show the kind of options up for grabs. All the routes we sampled were available for less than $200 with Southwest's Wanna Get Away fare.
For example, this flight from Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) to COS is just $135:
The departure flight is nonstop, but the return has a two-hour layover in DEN. While this may seem like an unnecessarily long layover, it gives you enough time to find your new gate and a cushion in case of delays (which are more likely to occur for flights later in the day — like this 5:15 p.m. option).
We also found this option from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston to DEN for $165:
This option has a 50-minute layover at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on departure, but because it leaves so early in the day, you may be able to cut it a little closer. The return flight has a one-hour, 30-minute layover a little later in the morning.
Related: Tips for taking your first ski trip as an adult
This option from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) COS option will take a little longer, but for the $165 price tag, it could be worth the extensive travel time.
Miami International Airport (MIA) has some great options, like this nonstop flight to DEN for $147:
Maybe you're closer to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and prefer this $163 option to Denver:
Or maybe you're in California.
Then this nonstop option from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to DEN for $147 might appeal to you:
If you're a little farther up the coast and prefer to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to COS, there's a $151 option for you:
Keep in mind that all of these prices are for the Wanna Get Away fare — which includes two checked bags free of charge, no cancel or change fees and flight credit if you cancel. However, the fare is nonrefundable and will not score you any priority treatment.
Read more: These are the checked bags carried by TPG's staff
If you'd prefer to fly in a higher fare class, this sale applies to those fares too, but check out your options to be sure.
Maximize your purchase
When booking airfare, don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on those purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, which earns 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). The Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees), and Chase Sapphire Reserve both earn 3 points per dollar on airfare. You could also use the American Express® Gold Card, which earns 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which earns 2 points per dollar on travel. For more ways to get the most out of your airfare purchases, see this guide.
Bottom line
This 30%-off sale from Southwest has some great rates for travel to Colorado Springs and Denver this ski season. If you're looking to hit the slopes while saving some cash, we recommend checking out this deal.
Don't forget that it only applies to travel on dates from Aug. 23-Nov. 16 and Nov. 30-Dec. 15, 2022, and Jan. 3-Feb. 15, 2023. Make sure you search using the SAVE30 promo code. This sale likely ends Wednesday, so act fast.