The Real Deal: Includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Arizona and four nights' accommodation at a luxury hotel, from $862—plus taxes and fees of $58 per person.
When: Valid for travel from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, 2007.
The fine print: Hotel taxes and an Online Vacation Center booking fee are included, along with fuel surcharges and airline taxes. You can add a midsize rental car with unlimited mileage for $50 per person. Rental car taxes and fuel are additional.
Gateways: Los Angeles; add $35 for New York City; $45 for Baltimore and Hartford; $75 for Chicago and Fort Lauderdale; $89 for Boston; $129 for Philadelphia; $269 for Atlanta.
Contact: Online Vacation Center, 888-801-8808, eleisurelink.com.
Why it's a deal: A recent search on Kayak found the lowest round-trip airfare in mid-October between Los Angeles and Phoenix of $119 (Delta). As a result, it is not such a great package when traveling from L.A. But it's a better overall value for departures from the other gateway cities, despite the slightly higher additional costs. Rooms at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess cost upwards of $259 a night, which means you are receiving airfare, a car rental, and four nights' accommodation at a notable discount, especially when traveling from destinations other than L.A. How so? We recently found fares on Kayak that include $239 from Philadelphia (Northwest), $260 from New York (Northwest), and $293 from Fort Lauderdale (Continental).
Trip details: Package includes round-trip airfare to Arizona, plus 4 nights' accommodation at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a AAA-rated five-diamond luxury hotel that boasts a world-famous spa, five outdoor pools, three restaurants, and two 18-hole championship golf courses. Room amenities include one king or two double beds, high-speed Internet access, and an outdoor patio.
Before you go, visit the official tourism Web site.
To help you plan your trip, check the weather forecast and the local time at BudgetTravel.com.
