How can I get a better rate on
my Airline tickets?
- Make your reservations as soon as you have decided
on travel plans. Airlines give discounts for early
bookings at least 21 days in advance. The best rates
are often those that include a Saturday night stay
and have travel dates during the week.
- Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and easiest
way to compare many different Airlines & agents
rates to find the best deals.
- If you can be flexible about when you travel, do
so. It can bring big savings. Even changing a flight
time during the same day can affect the rate. Often
the less popular early morning or late evening flights
have lower rates.
- The best rates tend to be found during the off-season
and at other times when the Airlines are flying at
less than capacity.
- Check into splitting your trip into two roundtrip
sections. A stopover at a midpoint could save you
over flying a direct route. Although, make sure the
saving are large enough to warrant the extra hassles
of the stopover.
- Check into booking your travel plans as a package.
You might be able to save by booking your Airline
tickets along with your hotel room or rental car.
- Ask if this is the best rate that they have available
when you are booking your reservation.
- Apply any special discount programs for which you
are eligible.
- When you reach check-in, ask to see if any special
upgrade deals are available.
- Take some time to look for the best rate; a little
research can bring big savings. Airline ticket prices
vary wildly and you want to be the one that paid $200.00
roundtrip, not the guy in the next seat that paid
$600.00.
What types of special discount
programs are available?
- Check for special deals with your membership in
associations or clubs.
- Memberships in premium or loyalty clubs and frequent
flyer programs can offer discounts.
- Some credit cards have special discount agreements
with certain Airlines.
- Discounts are available for some age groups, young
and old, as well as, students.
- Discounts are often available for large groups
traveling together.
- Discounts are often available for government, military
or corporate employees. Some Airlines will even extend
these discounts during leisure travel.
How can I find
other businesses that have partnered with my Airline
to provide me even greater rewards for using their services?
Check out your Airline¡¯s web site. They should have
a list of other businesses they have partnered with
that can reward you with bonus points or miles and
discounts or other special offers. These other businesses
are usually found on your Airline¡¯s web site in a
special travel partner¡¯s section or they can be listed
under their membership program section as participants
or partners.
How can I beat the best rate
flying into my destination?
Check into another destination. You might be able
to fly into a nearby neighboring city at a much lower
rate. Remember to allow for other costs when you consider
this option. You could lose the airport shuttle, and
your rental car costs, gas, etc., may change. This
might also take a little more travel time.
Should I buy someone else¡¯s frequent
flyer awards, vouchers or unused tickets?
No, there are lots of ways you can get burned doing
this. Most Airline programs have rules against this
activity and you¡¯ll be denied boarding if you are
caught. With computer checking systems and rules requiring
proper I.D., your chances of getting caught and losing
your money are good. Many of these items are also
easy to copy or fake and you might just end up the
victim of fraud.
How will I know which is the
best Airline for me?
If it¡¯s a onetime flight, you can probably see who
flies the route for the cheapest rate. If you are
looking for more of a relationship, you¡¯ll want to
consider some of the factors listed below:
- You¡¯ll still want to consider ticket prices.
- See if you belong to any groups that entitle
you a special deal with a particular Airline.
- Investigate the Airline¡¯s on-time, safety and
customer service record.
- Evaluate frequent flyer programs to see which
will allow you to earn free tickets or upgrades
the quickest.
- You might want the Airline with the more lenient
luggage policy.
- Pick an Airline that has strong routes and flight
options available for the area where you¡¯ll be doing
most of your traveling.
- Find out what Airline partnerships they have
to see if they will provide you further flight options.
- Find out what other partnerships they have that
could save you money in other areas. Many Airlines
have agreements with hotel chains, rental cars or
credit card companies.
- Find out, which Airline is most willing to help
with your special requests.
|
