If you need to fly, the cost is likely to be a turn off. Watch the news and read financial reports; you will see that airline companies are in financial trouble. Many are barely staying afloat. What does this mean for you? It means higher airfare. If you want to save money and find a cheap flight, you may wonder whether you should book your trip in advance or wait until the last minute. Each option has their pros and cons.

The greatest benefit of booking a flight early is the preparation. If you are planning a vacation, you not only need to make your airline reservations, but reservations for a car rental and hotel too. For some travelers, it is too nerve-wracking to wait until the last minute. And, the price difference varies from airline to airline. Some airlines offer $100 or more discounts for last minute travelers, some offer a measly $25 discount, and others actually increase the price. If you are the type of person who needs to plan, go ahead and do so.

Another benefit to booking your airline reservations early is that you are guaranteed a seat. As previously stated, most airlines are in financial trouble. To save money, they have not only increased fares, but cut flights. There are now fewer airplanes in the air. The planes that are flying are usually booked full. If you wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations, your flight options may be limited. This will not happen if you book early. In fact, you should have a number of flights to choose from. Are you traveling with kids? Choose the trip with the fewest and shortest layovers, so you aren’t stuck in an airport with bored kids, and so forth.

As for waiting until the last minute to book your airline reservations, you may find good deals. It all depends on when you look. Towards Saturday morning, you are likely to find the best deals on last minutes flights. Airlines just reviewed their flight lists. They are trying to fill all empty seats. To increase appeal, they offer better discounts. This is your chance to save money and get a cheap flight.

Your reasons for travel should also be considered. If you are traveling and staying with friends and family, you can be flexible with when you make your travel plans. However, if you are looking to attend a special event and must make hotel reservations, keep these in mind. You do not want to wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations only to find that nearby hotels are booked solid. Yes, you may have gotten a good deal on the tickets, but now your entire trip is thrown out of order.

So, should you book your flight early or wait until the last minute? Honestly, it all depends on your personal preferences. If you have to plan ahead for your sanity, do it. If you don’t want to take any chances, book your flight early. If you wish, monitor the airfares for your flight. Although airlines are under no obligation to refund you the difference, you can attempt to get that refund.

Since it is risky to book your flight too early and too late, it is best to familiarize yourself with other moneysaving tactics. For starters, price compare. Unusually, multiple airlines can get you to your destination. Price compare to find the best deal. Next, avoid flying on the weekends and holidays. Flights departing on Wednesday to the same destination are usually $100 cheaper than flights that depart on Monday or Friday. Also, consider other ways to save. Do not fall victim to the high fees passengers are charged for snacks, drinks, pillows, and blankets. Bring your own. Even if you pay $2 for a 20-ounce bottle of soda at the airport, it is still a better value than buying an in-flight drink.

Post from: Vacations Destinations

Cheap Airfare Should You Book Early or Late

Are you in the process of planning a good, relaxing vacation? If so, you want to reduce your costs. Right? After all, who wants to pay more for a vacation than they need to? If you are looking to reduce the cost of your vacation airfare, please continue reading on for how you can do so in five easy steps.

1 – Be Flexible

You are at an advantage if you are planning your vacation in advance. You should have the ability to play around with your travel dates and times. If you have yet to put in for your vacation time at work, play around for a little bit with airfare quotes. Did you know that wisely choosing the day and time that you depart for your trip could save you hundreds of dollars? In some cases, it can.

So, when is it the best time to travel? You are likely to find the best deals in the off-season. For example, if you live in the Northeast, you are not the only person who wants to go to Hawaii to escape the cold winter. Thousands of others travelers do too and airlines know this. If you want to save hundreds of dollars on your flight, travel in the off-season. For you, this would be spring and fall. Another simple way to avoid paying extra is to avoid weekend travel and holidays. The best days to fly are on Wednesdays.

2 – Compare the Rates of Airline Companies

Online, there are many ways to book a flight. You can go directly through the airline in question or a third-party travel website. Start with the airline. Perform a standard internet search with the airports you will be departing from and arriving to. Visit these websites and you will find a list of airlines that service the airport. Now, find these websites, also with a standard internet search. Request a free quote. Remember, you can experiment with your travel dates and times to find the best deals.

Make note of the airline that will get you there the fastest and the cheapest.

3 – Compare the Rates of Third-Party Travel Websites

Typically, you get better discounts by booking your flight directly through the airline company. There are however, instances in which third-party travel websites get you the best deal. These websites include Priceline.com and Orbitz.com. Perform a search to see. Compare the rates to those offered by the airline company. Who is it cheaper to make your reservations with?

While on the website of a third-party travel website, also consider vacation packages. If you are in need of a hotel or car rental, play around with the websites features. Well-known websites, like Priceline.com, are known for offering convenient and moneysaving travel packages. With just a few clicks and one payment, you cannot only get cheap airfare, but a cheap hotel and car rental too.

4 – Compare Your Findings

As previously stated, you want to compare the airfare rates of different airlines. You want to find the cheapest company to fly with. Then, you want to compare the rates of online travel websites. Is it cheaper to book your flight through these websites or the airline? Compare your findings and then make your reservations. Most passengers benefit from opting for the cheapest and shortest flights. To increase your chances of getting a good seat, book early.

5 – Monitor Your Flight

Unfortunately, there are some risks involved in booking a flight too early. If an airline notices a flight is still empty in the weeks leading up to departure, they are likely to offer discounted tickets. In most cases, an airline or third-party travel website is under no obligation to refund you the difference, but it won’t hurt to call and ask. So, if you can monitor your flight. If you notice a significant savings, place a phone call. It is a long shot, but it may reduce the cost of your airfare.

Author: Sara Wells

Post from: Vacations Destinations

Get Cheap Vacation Airfare in 5 Easy Steps

If you want to save money on the cost of air travel, a good place to start is with your airline reservations. The less you pay for a ticket the more you save. With that said, many airlines are now increasing their fees and even creating new ones. You will see this with luggage. At first, airlines started charging passengers for a second bag of checked luggage. Now, some are even charging for the first. If you are taking an extended vacation, these extra fees can quickly add up. So how do you eliminate them?

For starters, you must know that the fees exist. An increase in fees is not something an airline wants to shout from the rooftops. Most travelers showed up for their flights to learn, for the first time, it would cost $30 roundtrip for their only suitcase. Imagine the anger. Although these fees are well-known now, you still need to look for them. Know if your airline charges you a fee for your first or second suitcase and how much.

As for how you can avoid or lessen the impact of these extra baggage fees:

Pack your carryon bag full. Most airlines outline rules and restrictions for carryon bags on their websites. You should know ahead of time how big your bag can be and how much it must weight. Use a ruler and a bathroom scale to ensure you are just under. If traveling for a two to three day trip, you can get away with using your carryon bag alone, provided you pack wisely.

Speaking of packing wisely, do it. Only bring what you need. Having four pairs of shoes for your trip to Hawaii is nice, but do you really need them all? You should be able to get away with a pair of sandals and sneakers. Also, research your hotel or resort ahead of time to see what you are supplied with. Is there a curling iron and hair dryer in your room? If so, don’t waste valuable space by bringing yours from home.

Watch the weather. Knowing the weather forecast for your vacation destination makes it easier to pack wisely. If you are traveling to Hawaii, see what the weather is forecasted to be like. If rain is predicted, bring a raincoat. If the temperatures will be above 70 your entire trip, live the winter coat at home. Pack only what you need, especially in terms of clothes and accessories.

Opt for large suitcases. Most airlines have strict rules on carryon luggage, but they are more lax on checked luggage. Do you need two suitcases to hold all your clothes? Are they small suitcases? Head to your local department store and purchase a bigger suitcase. Most airlines charge $25 one-way for a second suitcase. For $50, you can easily purchase a larger suitcase that you can reuse, making it a wise investment.

Share luggage with family. If you are traveling with your romantic partner or with your entire family, condense luggage. This is best when charged for each checked suitcase. Does your ten year old really need to have his own suitcase, especially if it is only half full? Have all members of your family condense luggage into as few suitcases as possible. Depending on the size of your family, this could save you $100 or more a trip.

Use space saving bags. Because the commercials for Space Bags appear like infomercials, many consumers believe they don’t work. They actually do. Not only that, but they have bags designed for air travel. With these bags, you place your clothes inside and apply pressure by leaning. Watch your clothes as they shrink in size. You can use this approach to eliminate a second suitcase. For short trips, use these space saving travel bags in your carryon; you may not even need to check a suitcase!

Author: Sara Wells

Post from: Vacations Destinations

Save Money by Avoiding Extra Luggage Fees

If you want to travel, but are turned off by the rising costs of airfare, you may consider flying with a budget airline. These airlines come in many different formats, but most operate by a “what you see is what you get,” standard. That is usually a cheap flight with little perks. If your one and only goal is to save money, flying budget may seem like a good choice, but is it really?

The Pros of Flying Budget Airlines

You usually get good rates. As previously stated, most budget airlines have cheap flights, but offer very few perks to travelers. This is an easy way to save money. If your goal is to cheaply get from point a to point b, you should have no problem flying on a budget airline. As for how much money you save, it depends on the airline in question, your travel dates, and your destination. On average, most travelers save at least $100 a trip by flying budget instead of well-known.

You have a number of airlines to choose from. For the most part, budget airlines were a well-kept secret in the United States. Most air travelers were familiar with the big carriers, such as American Airlines and Delta. It wasn’t until airfare skyrocketed that passengers started examining their options more. Most were pleased to see that not only did budget airlines exist, but there were quite a few to choose from. In the United States, just a few of your options include Southwest, Spirit, Virgin American, JetBlue, and Horizon Air. With a number of budget airlines to choose from, you have a good chance of saving money.

The Cons of Flying Budget Airlines

There are little to no perks. When most of us think of perks, we think of in-flight movies, drinks, and snacks. On occasion, some budget airlines forego these extras, but there is more. Some budget airlines allow you to make your reservations, but you don’t choose your seat until you arrive at the airport or board the airplane. For most travelers this is okay, but it may be risky if you are traveling as a family. Since budget airlines focus on cheap travel, many completely forego first class. If you want to have your perks, it may be best to avoid flying budget airlines.

You don’t always get the best deals. For example, JetBlue was mentioned above as a good airline. If you search for a flight between Syracuse, New York and Orlando, Florida, a big $114 pops up on your screen (at the time of this article). You think great, as Northwest Airlines quoted you $156 for that same flight. That is until you see the $114 isn’t for a roundtrip flight, even though you selected roundtrip from the options. You must scroll down the page and select your return flight, which also has a price tag of $114. This “budget,” airline is now $72 more expensive.

Some budget airlines load you down with fees. Southwest Airlines is well-known for being a good budget airline. Their website and commercials say “what you see is what you get.” This means the price you see is actually the price you pay. Not all airlines are like this. Many have hidden fees and taxes, which you may not see until you are ready to pay for the flight. Always read the fine print of a budget airline. After doing so, you may see that their deals aren’t so good after all.

You have a limited number of airports to choose from. As previously stated, there are many budget airlines in the United States. Unfortunately, they service a limited number of airports. The reason why budget airlines are able to offer discounted flights is because they wisely choose their destinations. They know where travelers want to go and when. Unfortunately, if you want to travel to Kansas, it will be hard to find a budget airline that services state airports. On the other hand, if you want to travel to Florida, your options are virtually unlimited.

As you can see, flying budget airlines does have its pros and cons. If you opt to give these airlines a try, price compare to ensure you really are getting the best deal, make your travel plans in advance, and arrive at the airport early.

Author: Sara Wells

Post from: Vacations Destinations

The Pros and Cons of Flying Budget Airlines

If you rarely fly, you may mistakenly believe that first class seats, also commonly known as business class seats, are only for the rich. They are expensive, so only the rich must be able to afford them. This is not true. Did you know that many of the people sitting in first class did not pay full price for their ticket? In fact, some are relaxing in first class with a free upgrade from coach. How does this happen? How can you get an upgrade to first class?

1 – Pay for an Upgrade

When it comes to paying for an upgrade, you have two options. Most airlines enable flyers to upgrade their seats to first class on their website. If you monitor your flight and know that first class is quickly filling, you may want to upgrade your seats in advance. You can usually do this on the airline’s reservation website or over-the-phone with a representative. You can also upgrade at the airport ticket counter. When checking in, ask if there are first class upgrades available for sale. If there are, purchase an upgrade. They are usually cheaper at the airport and at the last minute.

When it comes to paying for your first class upgrade, you have two options. You can pay the traditional way with a credit or debit card. If you are an avid flyer and have accumulated frequent flyer miles, use these to pay for the difference. While it seems like a hassle, you save more money than just using your miles to buy a first class seat.

2 – Ask for an Upgrade

Whether you want to pay for a first class upgrade or not, just ask. It all depends on how you ask, who, and when. If you ask the airline representatives at the check-in counter, you will likely have to pay for your first class ticket. These individuals specialize in making and changing reservations. If you want a free upgrade to first class, wait until you are inside airport security. This group of airline workers takes your tickets. Before the flight boards, just ask if there are any additional first class seats available. If there are, you may get a free first class upgrade.

3 – Be Nice

When it comes to asking for a first class upgrade, whether you pay for it or want it free, be polite. You must be on your best behavior. Even if first class seats are available, flight attendants are under no obligation to provide upgrades, especially free upgrades. The key is to be polite. Right now, most airlines have low approval ratings. Customers are upset with the long lines, airport security, rules and restrictions, and high airfare. Many take their anger and frustration out on flight attendants and ticker counter representatives. Being polite not only puts a smile on their face, but it may get you an upgrade.

4 – Volunteer

This approach is hit or miss, but there are times when flight attendants must scatter the weight on a plane to balance it. This is a safety issue. In small flights with first class, this can result in passengers from coach being put in first class for free. Many times, flight attendants ask for volunteers or seek out passengers flying alone. If this happens on your flight, be one of the first to volunteer. Since you are doing the flight attendants a favor by volunteering to relocate, you get a free first class upgrade.

5 – Get Bumped

Most times, getting bumped from a flight is an air traveler’s worst nightmare. Not everyone is traveling to relax or see friends and family. Many travelers are on a strict deadline. These individuals may be flying to attend an important business meeting, see a sick relative, or attend a special event. If you are traveling just because, offer to be the person bumped from an overbooked flight. With that said, state you want something in return. That is a free upgrade to first class. Most flight attendants and ticket counter representatives will quickly accept your offer.

Author: Sara Wells

Post from: Vacations Destinations

5 Ways to Get Upgraded to First Class

No matter what air travel company you choose, you will have to endure the security at the airport. That has nothing to do with the carrier. That means you should focus your security concerns on how the airport is run, but think about airline ratings when you wonder how comfortable your flight is going to be. This is very important when you are going on a very long flight, but you want the best for you even when you are only going to be in the air for an hour or two.

There are certain things you should think about when you look for airline ratings. One of the most important, after air fares, might be leg room. This is something that has plagued airline travelers for years, and some airlines are better than others. You can’t expect to stretch out full in coach seats, but you don’t have to fly with your knees in your chest either. Other considerations with airline ratings are reliability, how they distribute their air travel tickets, food quality, and the type of entertainment options they may have. These may not apply to your flight, but they do say something about the carrier that you should know.

Another concern with carrier ratings is how friendly the staff seems to be. Some consider things like the prices of drinks, and what exactly they have to pay for. Don’t forget to think about customer service in the event you may need to change your flight or you miss one. You can find airline ratings on all of the above if you look around online for some reviews. Many take their travels very seriously, and that means they are willing to share the pros and cons of each segment of their vacation. This is helpful to you when you want to know you have chosen a great carrier for your next flight.

Post from: Vacations Destinations

How Does Your Air Travel Company Rate, And How Well Respected, Are They At Starting Your Perfect Trip

One of the most expensive aspects of traveling is often the cost of the flights. Many people look around for Cheap Tickets but are unaware of hidden charges and associated fees that could bump the price of the seemingly great value flight up by a considerable amount. However, by being vigilant and asking the right questions, you can make sure that your cheap flight will not end up costing you as much if not more than the regular price.

Since the Internet revolution kicked in over a decade ago, searching for and booking a great flight online has become one of the most popular ways of making travel arrangements. There are certainly many benefits to this. You can browse details, compare prices and book a great cheap flight in no time at all and without even having to set foot outside your front door. Secure booking systems mean that you can have peace of mind when paying for your transaction online as well. However, as this means that you are doing the leg work yourself, it is up to you to ensure that you are not going to be landed with an assortment of unexpected costs.

You should always check that the price of Cheaper Air Fares you are given includes taxes, VAT and any supplementary fees that may apply. If you are in any doubt about whether or not these charges have already been added to the cheap flight price, contact the online company via e-mail or phone and double check. Make sure that you keep a copy of the e-mail response or take a name if you speak to a staff member by phone in case you do receive any additional charges at a later date.

Most online travel companies are quite clear about the charges that have already been added and ones that are still due to be added. You should therefore have no problem estimating the total cost of your flight. You can get a cheap flight to almost any country in the world these days, and you will find a variety of sites offering some excellent deals and special packages.

Post from: Vacations Destinations

Finding Cheap Airfares

One of the most important air travel rules that you as a passenger must follow, is paying attention to what you may bring onboard the airplane. To be more exact, you will also need to learn which items are only prohibited from being in your carryon luggage and what is simply prohibited, period.

TIP: Learn more about Air travel advice here!

It is when you arrive at the airport that the actual implementation of air travel rules begin. For one thing, you will have to deal with several airport security checkpoints, as all passengers are required to pass through these.

This is where you will need to go through a metal detector and have your baggage sent through and x-ray machine. That may not be news to you, but did you know that this procedure has received a new component? Unless you are disabled or suffer from a serious medical condition, you are now required to remove your shoes. After baring your feet, your shoes will be scanned just like rest of your carryon luggage – just to make sure you haven’t hidden anything in them.

The air travel liquid ban

Since it is certainly not uncommon to have some sort of liquid with you – a bottle of water for example – there is a good chance that you will need to alter your packing habits. When it comes to the new liquid ban you should keep in mind that: liquids are primarily banned from being brought with you into the passenger area of the airplane, in your carry on luggage. This ban does not prohibit you from brining these items with you altogether, but you will need to put it in your checked baggage.

Some of the items that are now included in the liquid air travel ban, that many people would like to object to as being dangerous, include health and beauty products, especially those that are liquid or gel based. Skincare products such as hand lotions, hand sanitizers, and moisturizing creams also fall in this category.

The importance of following air travel rules

In order to fully appreciate the importance of following air travel rules, you need to familiarize yourself with them thoroughly. One good starting point is to simply ask the airport of your choice. In addition to contacting them directly, you can usually also find lots of helpful information on their websites.

Should you decide (or simply by mistake) defy air travel rules or fail to cooperate with airport security, you will find yourself facing a number of different consequences. Assuming you are not a terrorist about the vorst common consequence is that you’ll be grounded from catching the right plane.

While it is being detained by airport security or by local authorities is a definite possibility, it doesn’t happen very often.

Taking the time to educate yourself about contemporary air travel rules, new additions in particular, will make your airline traveling experience much more enjoyable.

Post from: Vacations Destinations

Air Travel Rules and The Logic Behind Them