Travel Corner
I welcome you to link to this article. If you'd like to reproduce it, please keep all attribution and copyright information intact, include a link to my web site (www.judywolf.com) and let me know:
Judy Wolf
315-853-6993 (phone & fax)
pr@judywolf.com
Cheap
Air Tickets - Where to Look &
What to Consider
by
Judy Wolf
One of the most popular topics among budget travelers -- one that yields endless hours of conversation -- is where to find the best deals on air fare. Before I go into this topic, let me add a caveat: while I absolutely agree that it makes sense to comparison shop and look for bargains, my first and foremost goal is travel. Period.
If research becomes an all-consuming time vacuum and wheel spinner such that you never actually get on the road, then what's the point of saving $100? If researching bargains numbs your brain, but money stands in your way, then find a part-time job to make up the difference and get moving!
That said, under the topic of cheap flights, there are four key resource categories for you to consider: comparison shopping web sites, last-minute deals, consolidators (including "name your price" sites), and courier flights.
Price shopping
Comparison shopping web sites include some well-known names like Expedia and Travelocity, but your best deals tend to be found on competitive new sites like Orbitz, Qixo, and ITA Software.
Be aware that some sites require you to register with them before you can access their search capabilities. This means you're selling your personal information in exchange for the use of their search engine. Depending on your feelings about privacy and the quality of the resource offered, you should decide for yourself whether to support sites that require registration.
Another important factor when it comes to using comparison sites is the fact that most of them are affiliated with only certain airlines. So it's worth checking a few sites for the same flights to make sure you get a broad representation of your options.
How about a last-minute deal?
If you've got a sudden travel itch, last-minute deals may be the way to go for a weekend getaway. As airlines get closer to flight dates with seats still empty, sudden drops in price may occur.
One of the best ways to stay on top of these deals is to register for e-mail updates with the airlines themselves. Once a week, you'll get sent a list of fare deals, often personalized to reflect your preferred departure cities and favorite destinations.
If this sort of last-minute opportunity appeals to you, keep an eye open as you're researching other travel deals online. Several travel sites have sections dedicated to last-minute bargains, including flights, cruises, and vacation packages (a few are noted in this article's resource section of my web site).
What about consolidators?
Consolidators are companies that buy large blocks of tickets at discounted rates directly from the airlines. The savings they pass on to travelers can be substantial.
Be aware that the restrictions on these flights vary, since they're governed by the consolidator's contract with the airline, but tend to be less flexible than regular or discounted fares. You'll find that most consolidators sell through retail agencies rather than directly to the public. (A few of these sites are listed on my web site for your convenience.)
The best-known "name your price" site is PriceLine, where you can pick your destination, travel dates, how many tickets you need, and how much you're willing to pay. You provide a credit card number, and the company searches for available fares at that price. If they have one, you've bought it. You can't control the choice of airline or flights, and the tickets can't be changed, transferred, or cancelled.
Keep in mind that "name your price" is really just a pricing scheme. PriceLine is a consolidator, and you may be offering more than the tickets are worth. Be sure to do your research before tapping into this resource!
A note on international travel deals
When it comes to international travel, destination specialists (also known as "bucket shops") will probably have the best deals available at any given time. Since they're concentrated in a few major cities (e.g., London, San Francisco, Bangkok), it's worth keeping an eye out for specials. In the USA, for example, you'll find most bucket-shop advertising in the Sunday travel sections of gateway city newspapers (e.g., the Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, New York Times, and San Francisco's Chronicle/Examiner).
Becoming a courier
Courier opportunities are still out there for flexible travelers who want to travel light. The best way to become a courier is to join one (or both!) of the two air courier travel clubs: the Air Courier Association and the International Association of Air Travel Couriers (IAATC). An annual membership fee gets you access to online updates of available flights, last-minute deals, and agency hotlines.
A quick background explanation on courier services: companies with time-sensitive documents or shipments would prefer to avoid sending this cargo as freight (which is more likely to get bumped from a flight and will be warehoused upon arrival and subjected to lengthy customs release procedures).
Instead, courier agencies purchase regular seats on airlines and use the associated luggage allowance to ship these time-sensitive shipments with priority treatment. Because luggage cannot travel without a passenger, the agencies then find people willing to travel with only carry-on baggage in exchange for low ticket prices (up to 85% off).
The main drawbacks to this arrangement are the lack of baggage allowance and the fact that most flights leave from (and fly to ) only a few select gateway cities. This isn't a good option for people looking for specific times, flights, or destinations, but if you've got a flexible schedule and sense of adventure, this might be a great option for you to see interesting new parts of the world without spending much money.
Destination opportunities have dwindled somewhat since September 11 and the downturn in the economy, but both courier travel clubs say they still have regular flight listings available for their members. For more detailed information, check out the FAQs on the air courier sites themselves.
CAUTION: When it comes to any discount or bargain offer, you can help protect your investment from fly-by-night operations by dealing with a known entity and/or getting references before purchasing anything (in the USA, you can also check with the Better Business Bureau). Be sure to ask about all taxes, service fees, and charges for ticket delivery and other incidentals. Confirm the total before you hand over your credit card number.
For web resources and recommended links that accompany this article, please visit the airfare comparison resource section of my web site.
Copyright (c) 2002 Judy Wolf
About
the Author:
Judy Wolf (www.judywolf.com)
is a world traveler, freelance writer, speaker, and whitewater kayak instructor.
She's taken numerous, extended solo journeys around the world, traveling
by foot, bus, jeep, camel, truck, boat, train, plane, elephant, and bicycle
to over 30 countries on five continents. She currently lives in upstate
New York with her husband and border collie, where she's working on a
book-length travel narrative about her most recent adventures…that is,
when she's not plunging off waterfalls or entertaining the dog.
FREE Newsletter
Sign
up for my free newsletter
Adventurous Life
and get
monthly updates on tips, links, stories & resources to inspire you to
lead the life you envy!
home
| travels | workshops
| college programs | speaking
| voice & acting | resources
| newsletter
profile | contact &
media kit
site
map | privacy policy
Copyright © 2001-04 Judy Wolf
