Miami Beach FL - January 27, 2009 --- With the economy the way it is, it can be difficult to get away for a reasonable cost. Airfare has skyrocketed with the fluctuations in fuel prices over the last year. Many people relegate themselves to the mercy of the larger airlines that have increasingly cut back services and increased prices. Here is a big secret about getting to Miami Beach on the cheap -- fly via Fort Lauderdale. In my search for ways to visit my family in South Carolina, I’ve run across a very reasonable airline that gives you no-frills transportation to and from your destination on the cheap.

Allegiant Airlines, based in Las Vegas, is a small airline that flies to various destinations such as Phoenix, Orlando, Palm Springs, San Diego and others. My flight took me to Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina. On a larger airline, I would have paid nearly $600 round-trip to fly to the regional airport. However on Allegiant, my round-trip ticket cost me only $88. You read that right, only $88 for a round-trip ticket. Bus fare would have been more. Driving from Miami Beach to S.C. would have definitely been more costly. If you live near Chattanooga, Tennessee, you can fly non-stop to Fort Lauderdale during Winter Party Festival (dep. 2/26/09 return 3/5/09) for just $29 each way. The cheapest price found on Orbitz.com for the same time period was $148 (plus nearly $50 in taxes) round-trip with one stopover.

For those that do not live too far away from one of Allegiant’s service destinations, you can save a ton of money and still have your get-away you so desperately need. In these hard economic times, airlines such as this can be a lifesaver.

You might ask yourself how this airline can stay in business with such low airfares. For the month of December, Allegiant saw a 10.5% increase in revenue in 2008 compared to 2007. And over all, the airline saw a 23% increase in revenue in 2008 compared to 2007(1). I guess they may know more than the larger companies or at least have a secret they’re not sharing with them.

These airlines unfortunately don’t always go exactly where you want to go but in many cases you can rent a car and still come out much cheaper than flying the big-named airlines. Prices aren’t always as cheap as what I got, but usually can be much cheaper compared to the other major airlines.

Spirit Airlines is another that has flights on the cheap. I’ve recently seen advertised flights to the Bahamas for $2. Yes, $2! You can go from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin, Colombia or Cancun, Mexico for only $18 round trip. Although to get these unimaginable discounts, you will need to join their $9 club. Even without being a member, you can fly from New York/LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale on Spirit for Winter Party Festival for as little as $164.20 R/T including taxes (Departing February 27 Returning March 3, 2009 - *price search on Spirit's website 1/27/09).

You should be warned that anything other than a ticket to fly will cost you extra on Allegiant. If you want to have a reserved seat, you get charged. If you want to check a bag, you get charged. If you want something to drink on the flight, you get charged. Priority boarding, you have to give them an extra $5. As of this writing, using the lavatory is still free.

For quick weekend trips, this shouldn’t be a problem since you can generally pack everything you need in a carry-on bag; for which there is usually no charge. And even if you do have to pay $35 to check a bag, at these prices, you can afford it. These flights also may not always leave on the day you wish to depart. For example, Allegiant departs to Greenville/Spartanburg only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Fort Lauderdale.

As for getting from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Beach, for only $21 per person you can use GO Airport Shuttle & Executive Car Service or if you are a resident and have a car, you can drive yourself to the Fort Lauderdale Airport and park at the Park N Save lot for only $9 a day.

So the next time you’re looking to get away, make sure you are searching the smaller, regional airlines as well as those online search engines. You might just fly for about one-third what you normally would have paid.