December, in the last deal zone of the year || December treat: Amazing airfares to warm beaches

December, in the last deal zone of the year || December treat: Amazing airfares to warm beaches

December, in the last deal zone of the year || December treat: Amazing airfares to warm beaches

Let’s get selfish for a minute: What have you done for you lately? Now that the days are getting shorter (and a lot chillier), how’s a nice, warm beach sound? Don’t worry, at these prices, a beach trip is hardly selfish at all.


Just remember to travel in the first couple of weeks in December, in the last deal zone of the year, because that’s where the biggest bargains are. The fares you see below are round-trip in early December and were found late last week (but as always, fares can and do change without notice).


More: Amazing airfare deals during the holiday dead zones

Don’t have time to go too far? Try these domestic destinations:


• Boston to Fort Myers, $96
• Chicago to Miami, $63
• New York to Fort Lauderdale, $89
• San Francisco to Maui, $331
• Seattle to Daytona Beach, $274
• Los Angeles to New Orleans, $123 (well, beaches aren’t too far away)


Want something more exotic? Try:


• Chicago to Cancun, $169
• Los Angeles to San Jose Cabo, $192
• New York to Cancun, $241
• Seattle to Puerto Vallarta, $296


Want to fly further? OK, go here:


• Chicago to Manila, $635
• Los Angeles to Bangkok, $369
• New York to Dubai, $535
• Seattle to Sydney, $794





If you need further enticing, go to a comparison site and check out fares for travel through Dec. 15 or a few days beyond (try a deal-spotting tool like farecompare.com/maps, and yes, start shopping now.


While it is true that January is another cheap time to fly, it can be less of a bargain to warmer destinations because they attract snowbirds as well as others looking to escape the cold. The best time for a beach is now, if you can swing it.


Final tip: Whether you’re shopping for a warm beach or a freezing mountain to ski on, always compare airfares. No single airline always has the best deal — not Spirit, not Southwest, not anybody!