Save Big on Airfare: 8 Top Tips to Reduce the Cost of Your Airline Tickets
by www.SixWise.com
Airfare prices may be set to increase in 2006, as airlines
struggle with rising fuel costs and not enough passengers.
The hardest hit are the smaller, budget airlines, such as
Independence Air, which closed its doors in the first week
of January.
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It's common for passengers on the same flight to have
paid drastically different prices for similar seats.
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From that shutdown alone, airfare experts say fares in many
of the 30 cities previously served by Independence Air could
double or even triple.
"We're going to learn the true meaning of 'sky high,'
"said airline consumer expert Tom Parsons, CEO of Bestfares.com
in a USA Today report.
But there is good news for travelers -- with a little know-how,
you can save big on airfares.
Top Eight Money-Saving Airfare Tips
1. Use an ethnic travel agent if flying
internationally.
Travel agents in ethnic neighborhoods tend to cater to their
home ethnicity. They buy space on flights in bulk and get
the best deals for that crowd. So if you are flying to China,
for example, seek out a travel agent in Chinatown.
2. Be flexible.
The least expensive days to fly are typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Saturdays. You can save even more if you're willing to
take a red-eye or very early morning flight, or one with a
stop or two. If you can risk not being able to find tickets,
you can try waiting until the very last minute. Many airlines
offer last-minute promotional rates ... but only if seats
are left open.
3. Opt for e-tickets.
Whenever possible, always choose the electronic ticket option.
Most travel agents charge a fee to deliver paper tickets.
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Try booking your next flight online and you could save
10 percent or more.
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4. Buy tickets through a consolidator.
Consolidators buy blocks of tickets and sell them at a discounted
rate in order to help airlines fill up seats. You can find
"Ticket Consolidators" in your newspaper's travel
section or online at sites like Hotwire.com, Onetravel.com
and Lowestfare.com. Be aware that these tickets may have more
restrictions than others.
5. Use an alternative airport.
Flying to an airport that is 30-40 minutes away from your
destination can save you up to 50 percent on a flight. For
instance, flying into Baltimore instead of Washington D.C.,
Oakland instead of San Francisco, or Rockford instead of Chicago.
6. Check fares on low-cost airlines.
Although they may not be featured on major travel Web sites,
airlines like JetBlue, Southwest and American Trans Air often
offer lower fares and better promotions than competitors.
Fly eight round-trips on Southwest, for instance, and the
ninth is free. However, the disadvantage is that their travel
areas are much more limited.
7. Check online.
Ticket prices can be cut by 10 percent or more when purchased
online. Many online travel sites also offer package deals
for vacations that include flights, hotel and car rentals.
Be sure to shop around though, as prices vary widely by site.
Check online specials not only for individual airlines but
also at sites such as Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, and Orbitz.com.
8. Do your homework, then act fast.
Once you get an idea of what a good price is for your
particular flight needs, be prepared to act fast. Airfares
change dramatically, even from day to day, so if you see a
price you like, buy it!
Recommended Reading
Six
of the World's Grimmest Tourist Destinations
How
to Travel Abroad Safely: Six Important Tips You Need to Know
in an Emergency
Sources
USA
Today January 3, 2006
How
to Buy Cheap Airline Tickets
A
Guide to Booking Air Tickets Online