Our Top Travel Resource - You Won't Believe What You're Reading!
The low cost airline, launched by Southwest airlines in the 80s, is no longer an American phenomena. Low cost airlines are popping up around the globe. They are taking over domestic and international routes throughout Europe and Asia and select routes in South America, Africa and the Middle East. A few even operate international flights. And many are profitable.
Yet there is a flip side to cheap tickets. Travelers can spend a good amount of their time scouring the web for the best deal. Not all countries have a low cost carrier and not all airports are serviced by a discount airline.
Many low-fare airlines cannot be booked through on-line agencies or portals, such as Orbitz and Yapta. Promotional offers are almost always limited and expire on a daily basis.
And when you finally find a flight, it is difficult to compare the offering. The following airfare secrets will reduce your search time and prepare you for any additional travel time.
Research
- Determine which carriers service the route you wish to fly. Many airport web sites include a route map as well as a list of carriers. Alternatives will only become apparent if you check the web site of both airports, arrival and departure.
- If you are traveling abroad or within a foreign country or continent, identify local on-line agencies and consolidators of discount airfares.
- Low cost carriers often use secondary airports. Make sure you know where you’re going and can get a rental car before you book. Most low-fare carriers and many consolidators provide such information on their web sites.
- Many low-cost airlines offer point-to-point service. It may not be possible to check-in for a second flight at a transit desk. Thus you may need to build-in time between flights to accommodate any passport formalities, claim your luggage and check-in for the second leg of your journey.
- Security precautions introduced by major credit card companies may limit your ability to book flights on foreign web sites.
Getting the Best Deal On Airfare
- Initiate your search with on-line agencies and consolidators.
- Subscribe to the airline and to the consolidator’s newsletter.
- Utilize services that enable you to set a price, such as the Orbitz “Deal Detector”. Orbitz will send an email if fares on the route you select drop to the price level you set. They provide the service for free.
- Use the consolidator as a tool. Book directly with the airline. This may reduce the service charge without affecting the fare.
Comparing Fares
- Low cost fares are often quoted on a one-way basis.
- Taxes, surcharges, and handling fees are not always included in the original price. Click through to the final page to effectively compare cost.
- Airfare may be quoted in the airline or consolidator’s local currency only. Converting airfares to USD will facilitate comparison.
Before You Depart
- Pack a lunch or a snack and drinks for all. Food and beverage are no longer included in the price of the airfare!
- Come to the airport early if you want to sit next to your spouse and the kids. Seating is likely to be open and boarding is often based on the order in which passengers check-in.
Learn More Airfare Secrets, Get To AirfareSecrets.net to find out more.
