Fly Southwest: LAS to Chicago, Illinois

Forgive me for being direct, but summer is inching closer and you've still not planned your vacation. Fear not, dear procrastinator, this blog will guide you on an adventure from (the currently undefined location of) Las Vegas to the hustle-bustle of Chicago. Not only, will I tell you how to bag the best airfare deals, I'll also arm you with insider tips to ensure your journey is as smooth as a mashup of velvety peanut butter and high-class Gucci silk.

For starters, let's talk flights. Was that a groan I heard? Fair enough, flights can be a nightmare, but they're the fastest way to get you from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the jazz and deep-dish pizza of Chicago. If you're not in the mood to deal with a pesky layover, why not consider a non-stop flight? Yes, they're like unicorns in the vast sky of connecting flights, but Southwest has got you covered like a snug blanket. Brace yourself though, you'll need to wrestle your mouse or touchscreen for these tickets as they sell faster than brownies at a weed festival.

The brilliant part about Southwest is their broad range of flight deals that could make your wallet do the jitterbug. It’s all about the fine art of booking at the right time. Now, you don't need a crystal ball to determine the best time to book, but if you've one lying around, by all means, consult it. Generally, Tuesday and Wednesday are the prime times for a bargain. It's when most frequent flyers are resting their wings and airlines throw out bait in the form of cheap flights. So, be a smart bird and swoop in.

Of course, a low price doesn't mean compromising comfort, not with Southwest at least. Their economy class seats are akin to a couch, minus the remote and your Labradoodle hogging the space of course. If your budget approves, you could even spring for a business class or premium economy seat. Trust me, your legs will thank you, and so will your tush. What's more, their generous baggage allowance won't let your shopping binge in Vegas weigh you down (though your credit card statement might).

After all that, if you're the sort who likes their 'me' time during flights, Southwest's in-flight services are a blessing. We're talking Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and top-notch humor from the crew. I mean, who doesn't appreciate a little comedy sprinkled across the skies? Besides, you can get your laugh-o-meter on before hitting an Improv in Chi-town.

Before I let you ogle at flight schedules and panic-pack your suitcase, here's one last piece of advice. If you need to cancel or switch your flight last minute, the Southwest flight cancellation policy is as sweet as a cherry pie on a hot summer day—flexible and a relief. Plus, lugging yourself onto the last-minute flights is significantly less heartbreaking when you know you'll be refunded (partially).

Voila! Now you're armed, sort of like a travel knight, ready to navigate the sometimes-daunting labyrinth of air travel. So, laugh in the face of pre-travel stress, grab yourself a one-way (or round-trip, we don't judge) ticket and enjoy flight travels from the undefined wilderness of Las Vegas to the bluesy streets of Chicago.