Super Bowl flights show how to save on airfare

Going to Phoenix for The Game? I hope not, unless you're in that fabled 1%, because Super Bowl flights are usually super-expensive and it's way too late to find anything remotely like a deal. We've seen coach fares from New York as high as $1,600 round-trip and these are not non-stops (those are long gone).

Face it, airlines treat Super Bowls as holidays and price tickets accordingly. But there are holiday strategies that can save shoppers from paying too much.

1. Keep flights short

During holiday or other peak periods, the craziest price hikes hit longer routes, while flights of 90 minutes or less with plenty of airline competition are less likely to go nuts. Check out these fares for the long 4-1/2 hour flight between New York and Phoenix.

• Super Bowl price: $1,321 (with stop)
• Late February price: $351 (non-stop)

The price of this long-haul flight nearly quadruples. Now see what happens to fares for the short, half-hour flight between Tucson and Phoenix.

• Super Bowl price: $415 (with stop)
• Late February price: $243 (non-stop)

This "holiday" fare doesn't even double, so it can pay to try creative itineraries.

2. Add a stop to a flight

This can save shoppers money year-round, but it's a windfall during holidays. Look at these Super Bowl flights between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

• Non-stop flight: $969
• One-stop flight: $595

3. Fly the cheapest days

The cheapest days to fly are almost always Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and Super Bowl flights are no exception. Look at these non-stops between L.A. and Phoenix.

• Thursday-Monday flights: $969
• Saturday-Tuesday: $402

Bottom line: Whether you're flying to a big game, or traveling in July or at Thanksgiving, try these savings strategies and chances are very good your ticket won't be super-priced.

FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick (@rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.