How to Save Money on Air
Fares By John Mussi
How to Save Money on Air Fares
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. You may
freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:
About The Author John
Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best
available loans via the
http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk
website. Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/
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