NOTE:
Due to the recent spate of terrorist attacks
to international flights, there may be changes
within each airline in relation to the number
of flights, hand luggage permitted, as well
as increased security in airports.
Airline ticket prices can depend on where
you are going, when you are going and how
long you stay. You may need to sacrifice
convenience for cheaper fares so be flexible
and always check for different options.
BUYING A TICKET
* Try to buy your ticket
about 2-3 weeks ahead. * Be as flexible as possible
and check if flying on a different day is
cheaper. For example Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
and Saturdays are low-demand days for flying,
and airfares tend to be cheaper, as are
late evening flights or early mornings.
Sometimes staying over on a Saturday night
also results in cheaper fares. * Try to travel in off-season
periods * Check the fare prices
at different airports in the cities of your
departure and destination * Save airline discount
coupons, check newspapers for promotional
fares (restrictions may apply). * Don’t book directly
with the airline. Visit their websites and
sign up for newsletters. Airlines can make
last minute discounts via email or on their
website. * Travel agents are useful
but are not always the cheapest option.
Keep notes on flight prices so you can compare
your options. * After you buy your ticket
keep checking prices. Some airlines will
refund the difference if discounts are made. * Many airlines offer “compassion
fares” if there has been a death or
serious family illness. These are about
50-70% off the usual fares. Ask what kind
of documentation is needed. * Return tickets are usually
cheaper and are a good defence against immigration
officials who want to be assured that you
are going to leave the country. Get a ticket
with an airline that allows you to make
changes to the ticket without any problems.
If you are working or studying for more
than one year you may wish to get a one-way
ticket (if you are in Europe you can utilise
the cheap tickets out of London to come
home).
STUDENTS
Students or travellers under 26 years should
always ask for youth / student fares. Sometimes
there are further discounts for passengers
12 or under. Places to check for studying
abroad or travelling extensively overseas
are StudentUniverse.com, and Smarter Living.
SENIORS
Senior travellers should always ask about
discounts which can be 10% off published
fares. Age restrictions will vary, sometimes
they require travellers to be 62, sometimes
65. Airlines also sell coupon books to mature
travellers for selected destinations.
CREDIT CARDS AND
FREQUENT FLYER POINTS
Buying tickets with a credit card can double
your frequent flyer points and is an insurance
against dodgy travel agents. This way you
have time to check you have a ticket and
can cancel the charge if there is a problem.
Enrolling in a frequent flyer program is
also a good way to earn points towards further
travel. However don’t get caught up
in earning points at the expense of forfeiting
cheap tickets. The points earnt may not
be as valuable as the money saved.
AIRPORTS
If you are arriving late or departing early
check to see if the airport is open all-night
so you can catch some sleep on comfy sofas
before heading off again. Some places can
close down and public transport services
stop for the night. Most airports have shuttle
buses, trains or some cheap means of transport
from the airport to the centre of town.
Taxis do not have to be the only option.
CHARTER FLIGHTS
Charter airline flights can be a way to
find cheaper airfares, but they aren’t
always priced less than published fares
so make sure you compare prices. Charters
buy blocks of tickets in advance and resell
them to consumers and make their money by
filling every seat. This means the flights
can be crowded and inflight service compromised.
Travel agents and tour operators can direct
you to reputable charters.
Charter airline flights do not operate
under the same regulations as scheduled
airlines. They can change schedules at the
last minute, delay flights up to 48 hours
or cancel 10 days before if seats have not
sold well. Make sure you understand the
restrictions and know your rights. We have
compiled a list of charter links on our
links pages.
COURIER FLIGHTS
Flying on air courier flights is a great
way to find cheap international airfares.
You can save 20-50% on tickets but there
are restrictions. Couriers give most of
their baggage allowance in exchange for
a discounted round-trip ticket. So you must
be good at packing lightly.
Usually the procedure is to meet the courier
agent several hours before take off. He
gives you an airline ticket and receipts
for the cargo he has already checked through.
When you reach your destination, a courier
representative will meet you and collect
the receipts necessary to retrieve his cargo.
If you are willing to fly on short notice
your trip may be free, but the length of
stay can still depend on how far you travel.
Usually you are required to serve as a courier
on the return trip. However if you are travelling
with a partner it can get more tricky. Courier
flights are usually for one courier per
flight so your partner will need a position
on a consecutive day, or fly for a different
courier service on the same flight. If none
of this works at least one of you has saved
on an airfare.
Courier companies are legitimate businesses
and you won’t be asked to carry anything
illegal. All cargo goes through the usual
procedures and paperwork. To check them
out go to the International Association
of Air Travel Couriers who will provide
you with courier flight listings for 12
months for a fee of $50. Or visit the Air
Courier Directory website who for $10 will
give you access to the Air Courier Directory
for 12 months. This has timely information
on available courier flights.
CHEAP DEALS
Many of the cheap airlines cut their prices
by reducing services i.e you will not be
served meals or drinks. They also offer
online reservations which cuts out the commissions
normally paid to travel agents. Most travel
agents as a result will boycott booking
for these airlines.
Auto Europe
Auto Europe can offer bookings from USA
to Europe.
Ryan Air
Ryan Air flies to locations all over Europe
and the United Kingdom from London Stansted.
For flexible travellers these cheap flights
are a big saving. However special deals
are offered only during certain periods,
check their website regularly for details.
Flights can be booked by credit card and
tickets are picked up at the airport. Ryan
Air does not refund cancellations and only
20 kilograms are allowed as weight allowance.
Usually one piece of hand luggage is permitted.
easyJet
easyJet also operates out of London but
has more limited flights than Ryan Air throughout
Europe. easyJet is a ticketless airline,
so all you need at check-in is your confirmation
number and positive proof of ID (a passport
for International flights). Further information
is available on the easyJet web site. http:/easyJet.com
To contact the easyJet reservation centre
by phone, please call:
in the UK, 0870 6 000 000
in Spain, 90 229 9992
in Switzerland, 0848 888 222
in the Netherlands, 023 568 4880
in France, 0825 082 508
in Greece, 967 0000.
