When you are planning a vacation it is of paramount importance to travel cheaply and comfortably. Most people will agree that you should not pay more than you have to for your vacations, particularly if you are a frequent flyer. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as there are many tricks and tactics that travel agencies and airlines have used to gouge you during your travel planning stage. If you learn and use the correct strategies you will have minimum strain on your wallet and maximum freedom on your vacation plan.
Learn About The Airlines Before You Travel
Most people believe that all airlines are created equal. This may be true when you are comparing the big international carriers to a low-cost carrier, such as Ryanair or Easyjet. However, in reality, not all airlines are created equal, especially when it comes to the fare structures and hidden fees that can pop up along the way. If you want to travel cheaply and comfortably by air, it is essential to be well-versed in the strategies and tricks that the major airlines have used to drive up their prices. It is also important to check with the authorities to make sure that your travel agency is not committing fraud by hiding secret fees and charges in the fine print of your contract. A little knowledge can go a long way in ensuring that your vacation is as inexpensive and trouble-free as possible.
Be Flexible About The Date And Time Of Your Travel
You may be thinking that because it is summer now, people will be traveling more. While there will be more people on the move, this does not mean that there are more cheap flights available. As a general rule, the farther in advance you book your travel the cheaper it tends to get. Because flights are less needed in the summer, there are fewer bargains to be had. If you are looking for truly discounted airfare, you will need to be flexible about the date and time of your travel. Sometimes it is not possible to be flexible, but you can always ask the question “Is there anyways that I can change my dates or time of travel without having to pay a lot more?”
Shop Around For The Best Deals
When you are booking your airfare it is important to do a little research and see what the competition is offering. You can visit websites such as KAYAK or Travelzoo, which are just two of the many travel search engines that you can use. Also, do not be afraid to comparison shop online. You can find literally hundreds of websites that will compare prices and features of all the major airlines. You can find this information easily online and even print out the comparison charts to take with you on your travels.
Use An Airline Credit Card
If you are planning on using credit cards to book your airfare, it is a good idea to sign up for an airline credit card. These types of cards give you additional perks and incentives for travelling, such as free snacks and drinks, sometimes even free rooms if you meet the right conditions. One of the best airline credit cards is the Delta SkyMiles credit card, which gives you 75,000 bonus miles when you make your first flight booking and spend $5,000 on car rentals and travel related purchases within the first year of being card-members. You can also earn 1.5% cash back on all your travel-related shopping. There are a variety of credit cards that offer similar perks if you are planning on using them to book your airfare.
Use An Upgraded Ticket
Sometimes it is possible to get a better deal by paying a little more for your ticket. Airlines and travel agencies will sometimes give you an upgraded ticket if you pay for it yourself rather than paying their high fares. For example, if you pay for a first-class flight rather than a coach ticket, you can sometimes get a better deal. Most airlines will not always give you an upgraded ticket if you paid cash for your ticket, but it is worth asking. The key is to be flexible and keep asking until you get what you want. If you see a better deal, it is usually because someone has sold their ticket at a discount, and you can either buy it or use their offer to get a better deal for yourself.
Check The Hidden Fees
Airlines will try and gouge you as much as possible during your travel planning stage, particularly if you do not use their preferred booking website. Some of the hidden costs that you may need to be aware of include:
- seizure fees – if you have unpaid cheap flight tickets after the 3rd flight on your itinerary, they may pull your passport and detain you for up to 3 days
- change fees – if you are changing your flight plan at the last minute, airlines will usually charge you a change fee
- denied boarding fee – this is commonly applied if your flight is overbooked and you are not willing to give up your seat
- early bird/late bird fees – some airlines will charge you more if you book at the last minute or early bird, respectively
- seizure of baggage fees – if you are exceeding the weight limit for the plane, you will be charged for each additional bag
- change fees – if you are changing your flight plan at the last minute, airlines will usually charge you a change fee
- extended stay fees – if you are planning to stay in one location for more than a day, you will be charged for each additional day
- pre-authorization/post-authorization fees – if you are planning on using a credit card to book your ticket, these will be charged at the time of purchase
- anniversary/birthday fees – if you are booking a flight as a present for someone, you will need to pay extra
- government fees – if you are a citizen of Singapore, you will need to pay a departure tax
Even though there are many strategies and tips to help you travel cheaply and comfortably, it is still important to do your research and make sure that you are not being fooled by any agencies or airlines that try to gouge you. If you use these tips and tricks to plan your trip, you will have a pleasant and exciting experience and come back with some great stories to tell.