Patriots fans headed out to California for the Super Bowl have had to make some last-minute travel plans to see the big game.
This late in the game, flights and hotels will not be cheap, but there are still ways to save money.
“We always talk about Thanksgiving as the Super Bowl of travel. Well, now we’re really coming into the Super Bowl, and we want people to take advantage of sort of the prices that we’re seeing now, because they could end up going well into $700-$800 round trip,” said travel expert Katy Nastro from Going.com.
She wants fans to take advantage of the three airports in the Bay Area.
They are San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK) and San Jose Mineta International (SJC). Travelers may save money by flying into a smaller, regional airport.
The same advice applies for New Englanders. Consider departing from Rhode Island’s T. F. Green International Airport or the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Travelers who can extend their trip even later may see bigger discounts and less crowded airports.
“We want them to try, if they can, to target leaving on the Saturday and then coming back on the Tuesday,” Nastro said. “We’re seeing roughly 10 to 20% difference in round-trip fares versus trying to get out on the Sunday and then come back on that Monday.”
Tickets to watch the Patriots and Seahawks in Super Bowl LX are not cheap, but they are the most affordable of the last five Super Bowls on the resale market.
With so many airport options, there might be opportunities to save a little on air fare with connecting flights.
“Round-trip fares with connections — one-, two-stop, even — are going to be slightly cheaper than if you’re looking for a nonstop,” Nastro said. “But you also need to keep in mind — with this unexpected severe weather that we can have during these winter months — that things can go wrong.”
As hotel prices spike ahead of the big game, Airbnb says there are listings available for different budgets. Data shows that 86% of its area listings in East Bay, South Bay and San Francisco are available for under $500 a night and 75% under $300 a night for stays between Feb. 6 and 9.
“Something that people should also consider when they’re looking to really maximize this pricey trip is also taking advantage of shopping portals that are associated with airlines,” Nastro said.
With road closures and high rideshare costs expected around Levi’s Stadium, local transit agencies are encouraging visitors to use public transportation.
Tailgating won’t be permitted at the Super Bowl, but if fans want to do some exploring around the Bay Area, some airlines offer rental car discounts at the time of booking a flight.
“We want people to take advantage of using their points, and using points for these big-ticket moments when cash prices are really high — it can be a great way to redeem them,” said Nastro.
Super Bowl tickets are averaging around $8,000. Add that to flights, lodging, rental car and all food, drinks and fun to be had, it’s going to be an expensive trip, but using credit cards that earn points or cash back help soften the blow.
It also offers purchase protection, if anything doesn’t go as planned.
Bianca Beltrán and Ale Zimmermann
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