Tag Archives: vacations

Get Cheap Vacation Airfare in 5 Easy Steps

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Get Cheap Vacation Airfare in 5 Easy Steps

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

Vacation Packages: Do They Save You Money

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Vacation Packages: Do They Save You Money

If you are planning your next family vacation, you may have heard that booking your trip in the form of a vacation package is the way to go. Yes, it can be, but do you really get the best deal? Yes and no; it depends on a number of factors.

One thing you need to remember about vacation packages is that they are sold through third-party travel websites. These websites are essentially the go-between. They aren’t helping you book your vacation out of the kindness of their heart. They are getting paid to help you. Who pays them? The airline, hotel, and car rental companies do. Where do you think this money comes from? It essentially comes out of your pocket. So although third-party travel websites do boast they can get you a good deal for your next vacation, it does not mean that good deal is the best available.

Another factor to consider is hidden fees. Third-party travel websites are known for tacking on extra fees and taxes for travelers. Unfortunately, rarely do they disclose these fees upfront. With some, you don’t know until after the payment is processed. Luckily for you, these fees are outlined somewhere on the travel company’s website. If you want to gain insight into these fees ahead of time, search the website. You want to look for sections that outline fees, rules and restrictions, or terms and conditions. By actively seeking this information, you won’t be surprised when it comes time to make payment.

One of the most common questions travelers ask is “how do I know if I am getting a good deal with a vacation package?” Unfortunately, many mistakenly believe it is impossible to tell. Some just accept the word of the company selling them the package. Do not do this. It is easy to tell if you are getting a good deal with a vacation package. In fact, it will only take you minutes to check and you can do so right from your computer. How?

Visit an online travel website, like Orbtiz.com. Search for the travel package of your choice. For example, at the time of this article, there was a package available for a 7-night stay at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, with a car rental, and tickets through Delta Airlines for $753 a person. This is departing from Syracuse, New York. You now have the name of the airline and hotel. Visit these websites. For the same travel dates, it costs $514.94 for a 7-night stay at the Luxor hotel in Vegas. The lowest fair available for a Delta flight is $419.90, including taxes and fees. A car rental for the same time costs about $125 a week. So, your total is $1,059.84. Do you save money by booking your trip through Orbtiz.com? Yes. In fact, you save over $300!

Although the Las Vegas travel package highlighted above did result in a savings through a third-party travel website, there are no guarantees. That is why you are encouraged to verify this information ahead of time. Luckily, it will take you less than 15 minutes to do. If you aren’t getting a good deal, move on to the next travel package. If none of them save you money, bargain with the car rental, airline, and hotel, occasionally you can get the price reduced by being polite and convincing.

Author: Sara Wells

Save Money by Avoiding Extra Luggage Fees

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Save Money by Avoiding Extra Luggage Fees

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

5 Ways to Get Upgraded to First Class

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5 Ways to Get Upgraded to First Class

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