Flash sales offer cheap summer and fall flights from Spokane, elsewhere

Looking for a cheap getaway?

Some airlines are holding flash sales for domestic and international flights this week at drastically reduced prices.

Southwest Airlines, for instance, launched its biannual three-day sale Tuesday that features one-way flights starting at $49. That’s in addition to a Southwest promotion selling one-way nonstop flights to the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos that start at $59.

Flights from the Spokane International Airport were a little pricier, with the exception of one-way flights to Boise or Sacramento for $49. Other advertised one-way flights from Spokane were $94 to Las Vegas; $99 to Oakland, California; and $129 to Phoenix.

Southwest also is offering discounted fares for various domestic routes for travel between Aug. 22 and Dec. 13. Some examples of fares starting at $49 include flights from Washington, D.C., to Providence, Rhode Island, and from Chicago to Memphis, Tennessee. Travelers need to book by Thursday.

The Southwest fares include two checked bags. Flights are nonrefundable, but people who cancel their reservations at least 10 minutes before departure can use the money for a future trip with the airline.

Alaska Airlines also has deals on flights. From Spokane, the airline was advertising one-way fares of $62 to Boise; $74 to SeaTac; and $89 to Portland.

For the Alaska specials, fares must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, and at least 21 days prior to travel. The rates applied to travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 27 through July 19. Fees may apply for checked baggage.

Most fare specials are either for a limited time or have limited availability, so travelers may need to act fast and then cancel the trip within a day if they can’t make it work. Airlines are required by federal law to let travelers cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking in exchange for a full refund.