Transportation - Wander the Planet .net

CHEAP AIRFARE TIPS

Register with your favorite airline websites to receive e-mail alerts when bargain fares become available. Some airlines now offer discounted Internet-only fares, as do many hotels.

If you're quoted a fare that's too expensive and the flight connects through an intermediate city, price two separate itineraries, to the connecting city and to your final destination.

Traveling with someone old enough for a senior discount? The discount may apply to you as well.

Since most discounted round trip tickets require that you complete travel in 30 days, check out a pair of one-way tickets if you want to stay longer.

It can sometimes be cheaper to fly through the city you really want to visit to a farther destination, spend a short time there, and then fly back to your actual destination. Unlike the so-called "hidden city discount," where you never board the second leg, this is legal and works even if you're checking bags.

If you want to fly, always call the airlines on Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m. That's when they release all of their new fares and that's when you can get the cheapest flights." Wednesdays also tend to be when the e-mail airfare special bulletins come out.

Vary airports and departure dates to sometimes slash hundreds of dollars off airfares. For instance, if you want San Francisco, try Oakland or San Jose. Albany, Hartford, Philadelphia, Islip, and White Plains are all pretty close to New York.

When flying in the US, some of the least expensive flights are available on the smaller airlines which are subsidiaries the major airlines, for instance Delta Express and Metro-Jet.

Take advantage of overbooking when you can. By volunteering your seat when a flight is overbooked you can earn free flights and often even cash from the airline. Monday morning and Friday afternoon flights are the most likely to be overbooked. If you want to be bumped, arrive early to place your name at the top of the volunteer list, and don't check your bag.

Buying a ticket on the Internet is not the same as getting the cheapest price. As with any travel agent, you may be offered the lowest price, an average price, or a test price. You still have to make comparisons. A good strategy is to book the best-value, fully-refundable fare early, then continue looking for something better to pop up. You may find an attractive price on the main leg, but a high one on the connect. Try reversing the search, or book one leg at a time. Allow at least three hours between flights for international departures/changeovers.

Beware of travel scams.

Prior to booking your trip, ask yourself the following questions: Does the price seem too good to be true? Are you pressured to make an immediate decision? Is the carrier simply identified as "a major airline," or does the representative offer a collection of airlines without being able to say which one you will be on? Is the representative unable or unwilling to give you a street address for the company? Are you told you can't leave for at least two months (deadline for disputing credit card charge is 60 days)?

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