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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Affordable Bay Area flights a rarity Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I'm hoping to fly to the Bay Area in March, but I looked at the fares today and it was rather depressing. United is the only one with a direct flight to San Francisco, and its cheapest fare was $487. Alaska had one that required acrobatic reflexes for $250, but I was hoping to spend my time in the Bay Area, not another airport. Delta, what can you say for a $360, five-hour and 20-minute excursion via wherever to get to San Francisco? I don't really mind driving, but I don't have the extra time, and parking costs are enormous. Any ideas on how I can avoid draining my checking account? — Judith R., Eagle Point   Anyone who has lived in the Rogue Valley for more than a decade knows that cheap flights to the Bay Area are a rarity, and when reasonable fares do come along, they don't last long. Whenever another airline has challenged United, and now United Express, with lower fares to the Bay Area, United drops its price to fend off the competition. When the competitors throw in the towel, United rates go back up. Unless there is another player waiting in the wings, you'll have to make do with the status quo. In the meantime, we consulted our buds at Airfare Watchdog, who passed along some suggestions: Search for fares well before you plan to travel and check continually, fares do fluctuate, and if you see the routine fare, you'll know a good one when you see it. You're not going to find great fares during peak travel days — Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring vacation — so being flexible about your flying dates can work in your favor. Friday and Sunday are usually departure and return dates for a lot of people, so those may be more spendy, as well. Check different travel sites, you'll find the same flight will vary in cost from site to site, and take the time establish alerts for airports and routes you desire to fly. If you find a great deal on a travel site, read the fine print, it can save you untold headaches.  Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501