With a little forethought and some flexibility, you can reach your favorite destinations without breaking the bank.
Instructions STEP 1: Keep yourself updated on airfare wars by watching the news and reading the newspaper. Look for limited-time promotional fares from major airlines and airline companies just starting up.
STEP 2: Be flexible in scheduling your flight. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly; late-night flights ('red-eyes'), very early morning flights and flights with at least one stop tend to be discounted as well.
STEP 3: Ask the airline if it offers travel packages to save money in other areas. For instance, is a rental car or hotel room available at a discount along with the airline ticket?
STEP 4: Find out whether the stated fare is the cheapest, and inquire about other options when speaking to the airline reservations clerk. If you're using the Internet, check more than one Web site and compare rates.
STEP 5: Inquire about standby fares if you're flying off-season. High season is a bad time to fly standby because most airlines overbook flights, making it difficult to find a spare seat.
STEP 6: Purchase tickets through consolidators, who buy blocks of tickets and sell them at a discount to help an airline fill up all available seats. Check the travel section of the newspaper under 'Ticket Consolidators.'
STEP 7: Book early. You can purchase advance-ticket discounts by reserving 21 days ahead; book even earlier for holiday flights, especially in November and December. Keep in mind that holiday 'blackout periods' may prevent you from using frequent-flier miles.
STEP 8: Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts.
Tips & Warnings - Note strict refund and exchange policies on tickets bought through name-your-price sites.
- Once you've shopped around, consult a travel agent to find out if he or she can ferret out a cheaper ticket.
- If you take at least two trips a year, you can get discounted fares by joining a travel club.
- If you will be visiting different countries on the same trip, you can save by asking the agent to arrange open-jaw flights, in which you arrive in one city but depart from another.
- Ask about student, senior and military discounts.
- Consolidators may delay in delivering your tickets, don't allow refunds or exchanges, and don't take reservations.
- To protect yourself, purchase through a travel agent, pay by credit card, and consider buying travel-cancellation insurance.
Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_1181_buy-cheap-airline.html
Costs of taking a cruise heading up
Chicago Tribune - Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:24:57 GMT
If you're hoping for another year of dirt-cheap cruising, I have news for you: That ship has sailed.
On the rebound
Ventura County Star - Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:01:00 GMT
CANCUN, Mexico — Mexico ’s spring break king, Cancun, is rebounding quickly from last year’s triple blow to its tourism industry caused by the country’s swine flu epidemic, drug violence and a global economic crisis.Those worries couldn’t compete this year against Mexico ’s cheap airfare from the United States and phenomenal package deals that include the popular all-you-can-drink enticements ...
Searching for airfare deals in Missoula? Be patient
Missoulian - Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:00:47 GMT
Missoula is a notoriously expensive town to fly in and out of,but with a little planning and a little know-how, it is possible tofind a cheap flight.
Watch — and wait — for deals on summer airfares
Seattle Times - Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:52:54 GMT
Start watching for deals on summer air travel
Quick searches for cheap fares
Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:22:54 GMT
Booking a trip online can be fast and efficient, but comparing the cost of those trips can also be frustrating and time-consuming. Several new websites hope to streamline that process.
SOPRIZ.com Announces the Successful Launch of the Industry's Only “$500 Travel – Cash In 3 To 5 Business Days” Giveaway
PRWeb - Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:11:35 GMT
Global online travel agency SOPRIZ.com announces the successful launch of the industry’s only “$500 TRAVEL-CASH” Program to reward customers who purchased low cost airfares, cheap hotels and discount car rentals from the website and boost the travel industry. (PRWeb Mar 7, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3696014.htm
SOPRIZ.com Announces the Successful Launch of the Industry's Only “$500 Travel – Cash In 3 To 5 Business Days” Giveaway
PRWeb via Yahoo! News - Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT
Global online travel agency SOPRIZ.com announces the successful launch of the industry’s only “$500 TRAVEL-CASH” Program to reward customers who purchased low cost airfares, cheap hotels and discount car rentals from the website and boost the travel industry.
Aria, Bellagio coexisting just fine, MGM Mirage says
Las Vegas Sun - Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:02:34 GMT
During MGM Mirage’s fourth-quarter earnings conference call last month, the company’s executives attempted to address questions that have dogged them since the recession began. Would Aria have to use extremely low rates to keep rooms occupied?
UDems set to lobby at Capitol Hill
The Daily Texan - Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:26:08 GMT
By: Vidushi Shrimali Members of University Democrats prepared for their trip to Washington, D.C, where they will urge lawmakers to lower the cost of tuition for higher education, with a rally in the Union on Sunday....
What’s good for one can be good for another
Philippine Daily Inquirer - Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:40:32 GMT
ONE of the few good things that came out of the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s is the increased travel activity within Southeast Asia.