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How To Save Money On Air Fares
By: John Mussi
Unless you are a frequent business flyer and have your air fares paid for by a
company you will need to consider how to save money on air fares.
There is a wide variety of air fares available to travelers. Here are some
useful tips on how to save money when booking air fares:
Be flexible
Be flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals
may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (often Tuesday through
Thursday, or Friday night through Sunday morning) or particular hours of the day
for example, late-night departures.
Plan Ahead
Plan as far ahead as you can. Most airlines set aside only a few seats on many
desirable flights at the lower rates. The real best bargains often sell out very
quickly. On the other hand, if a particular flight is not selling as well as
expected, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available for a
particular flight just before the advance purchase deadline expires.
Search for Bargains
While planning ahead is a good general rule, if you can bide your time you might
encounter a "fare sale." Many airlines put seats on sale for brief periods
several times a year. It is difficult to predict when these sales will occur,
although they often fall during times when people are less likely to buy airline
tickets for example; early autumn or right immediately after the New Year
holiday period.
Select Airport
Air fares can vary depending on which airport you depart from. Always check on
alternate airports and routings when pricing a ticket.
Low Cost Airlines
Look into all airlines that serve the destination you are interested in,
including low-cost carriers that offer low fares. On a low-cost carrier, find
out what you get for your money: baggage transfers from one carrier to another,
meals, advance seat assignments, etc.
Use a Travel Agent
Consider using a travel agent. Agents usually do not charge a fee (they get a
commission from the airline), and they can tell you about sources of discounted
seats that are not available directly from the airline.
Check Air Fare
After you buy your ticket, you may wish to call the airline or travel agent once
or twice before departure to confirm your reservations and check the fare. Fares
change all the time, and if that same fare goes down before you fly, some
airlines will refund the difference. But you have to ask.
Restrictions
Ask about all restrictions on your fare. Typical requirements for discount fares
include purchasing a round-trip ticket, buying the ticket a certain number of
days before departure for example, at least 14 or 21 days before you leave,
purchasing the ticket within 24 hours of making a reservation, staying over a
Saturday night, traveling during a certain time of the year, staying no more
than 30 days, and refund/change restrictions.
Ask about your ability to change or cancel your flight if you need to. Even if
you get sick, you cannot assume you will get a refund. In fact, most discount
tickets now are non-refundable.
About the Author:
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the
best available loans via the
www.directonlineloans.co.uk website . |
