A SHOPPER’S GUIDE TO FLYING ON 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

People who plan to fly away for the July 4th weekend would do well to shop for airlines and airports. The thrifty traveler can save, depending on the destination, airport and whether the flight carries any restrictions.

The following chart illustrates round-trip air fares to Acapulco, Chicago, Houston, Reno and San Francisco from John Wayne/Orange County, Los Angeles International, Long Beach, San Diego and Ontario airports. The fares are for departure on July 1 and returning July 4.

Two quotes are listed for each destination. The first quote is the unrestricted coach fare. The second quote is the lowest fare with various restrictions. See the notes at the bottom.

ACAPULCO

Orange Los Long San Airline County Angeles Beach Diego Ontario America West na na na na na American $752 $752 $752 $684 $752 $370 $370 $370 $370 $370 Delta na $500 na $500 $540 na $335 (c) na $335 (c) $383 (f) USAir na na na na na Continental $425 $425 na $425 $425 $242 $242 na $242 $242

CHICAGO

Orange Los Long San Airline County Angeles Beach Diego Ontario America West $790 $790 $790 $790 $790 $78 $216 $244 $244 $264 American $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,100 $1,000 $358 $304 $304 $324 $324 Delta $790 $632 $820 $608 $790 $288 (a) $256 (a) $256 (a) $274 (a) $264 (a) USAir na na na na na Continental $395 $395 na $395 $395 $338 $284 na $322 $322

HOUSTON

Orange Los Long San Airline County Angeles Beach Diego Ontario America West na na na na na American $850 $790 $870 $790 $790 $254 $298 $298 $274 $298 Delta $790 $632 $820 $608 $790 $244 (a) $228 (d) $258 (a) $258 (a) $258 (a) USAir na na na na na Continental $395 $398 na $395 $395 $294 $395 na $338 $358

RENO

Orange Los Long San Airline County Angeles Beach Diego Ontario America West $244 $238 $268 $296 $238 $134 $138 $118 $152 $118 American $244 $238 * $238 * $296 $238 $134 $138 $118 * $154 $148 Delta na $178 na $266 $278 na $148 (a) na $162 (a) $218 (e) USAir $244 $238 $248 $296 $238 na na na na na Continental na na na na na

SAN FRANCISCO

Orange Los Long San Airline County Angeles Beach Diego Ontario America West na na na na na American $288 $288 $268 * $288 * $288 $108 $108 $98 * $98 * $108 Delta na $208 na na na na $98 (b) na na na USAir $248 $248 $248 $268 $248 $98 (b) $98 (b) $98 (b) $98 (b) $98 (b) Continental na $235 na na na na na na na na

Notes: * American Eagle-American Airlines commuter partner; United Airlines first rate is full coach; (a) three-day advance, ticketing within 24 hours of reservations, Saturday night stay-over, fare non-refundable; (b) two-day advance purchase, non-refundable, Saturday night stay-over; (c) seven-day advance, 60-day maximum stay, fully refundable; (d) seven-day advance, Saturday night stay-over, ticketing 14 days after reservation or seven days before departure, whichever comes first, 10% penalty for changes; (e) 14-day advance, 24-hour ticketing, Saturday through Thursday departure, two-day minimum stay, non-refundable; (f) three-day advance ticketing, Saturday night stay-over, 60 days maximum stay. n/a: Route not available.

All fares subject to change without notice, and price quotes subject to availability at time of purchase.

Source: Selected airlines