Posts Tagged ‘airline tickets’

PostHeaderIcon Flying High

Traveling can be a wondrous experience that has the capacity to broaden one’s perspective about life through numerous new experiences and discoveries along the course of a journey. It can also be very taxing and costly which is why there are quite a number of people who just dream continuously about dream vacation they will never take.

A lonely planet

While the earth is essentially a lonely planet in it’s galaxy being the single planet that hosts the most diverse life forms and unique biodiversity, one need not be lonely in this lonely planet. Go out and explore the only world you’ve got, making the most out of life by seeing the bigger picture through extensive travels.

The book called Lonely Planet has a version for each country in the world that will help you, the adventurous traveler, a new world to explore at every turn– inexpensively.

A lonely bank account

Although the lure of adventure and discovery is strong, the pull of the reality that you may not be able to afford destinations despite the help of travel guides such as the lonely planet tends to rain on one’s parade. One of the biggest spends in traveling is actually the price of an airline ticket. Not to mention that purchasing one may prove to be a hassle if you have to buy one on your own and not go through a travel agent to be able to cut costs.

Fortunately, this need not be the case. With a little prudence and some flexibility, you can finally reach that dreamed of destination without having to take out a second mortgage on your loan.

Be Alert

So you’ve researched extensively on your destination and found the proper accommodations and have all the off-beat trips written down. While doing that, you should’ve kept your eyes and ears peeled for airline ticket promotions and chances are, you have found them. There are usually limited-time promotions from airlines and they advertise these in the papers and send email blasts.

The wisdom of the bamboo

Learn to be as flexible as the bamboo and get that airline ticket dirt cheap because of it. Find out what are usually the cheapest days to fly and book your tickets then. Also consider taking late night or very early morning flights with at least one stop and you can be sure that these will be discounted.
Check the package

Sometimes airlines will have travel packages that include accommodations and transportation bundled into the air line ticket price and these allows you to be able to save up on other expenses so be sure to ask your air line for these promotions.

The early bird

In this case, the early bird will not catch the worm but will land a discounted air line ticket by booking early. There are advance ticket discounts available if you reserve twenty-one days in advance.

Fly!

So you have everything in tow and have landed the best deals for your travel destination which includes a great bargain on your airline ticket. Don’t forget to make a checklist so as not to forget anything and avoid inconveniences. Remember that all you need to bring are the essentials: passport; airline tickets; traveler’s checks; a sense of fun and adventure. And if things don’t go as smoothly as planned during your trip, remember that it’s the journey, more than the destination that counts.

PostHeaderIcon Check Airfares Before Deciding To Fly Or Drive

In the days when gas cost 25 cents a gallon, it was an easy decision which was the cheaper method of travel, flying or driving. Driving was the standard mode of transportation, and flying was a luxury. However, with airlines in a cutthroat competition for customers, and gasoline becoming increasingly expensive, this may no longer hold true under all circumstances. The economy of both options should be evaluated for each planned trip. Don’t assume that flying is the most expensive option, especially if you use the following tips to get the cheapest fares.

In order to figure out how much gas you’ll need to reach your destination, find out the mileage both ways and then use an online fuel consumption calculator. Of course, how much gas you will use depends on whether you drive a Hummer or a Kia. For long trips, add on some money for wear and tear on your car and the tires.

In addition, add up the costs of food and beverages consumed en route, as well as hotel costs if the car trip lasts more than one day. Hotel costs alone can add up to a few hundred dollars for a two-way trip, and since cross-country airfares can be less than five hundred dollars, this expense alone may make it cheaper to fly. If you are travelling with a family, the hotel bill stays relatively constant while the airfare per person adds up quickly. However, for a single person or even a couple, air fare may very well be comparable.

Check out airfares with at least three online travel agencies. You will find a wide difference in fares, because each agency may have different specials, and charge different service fees.

When planning your trip, book as far in advance as possible. Economy seats on desirable flights sell out fast, especially during peak season. If possible, book your air travel during the off season, and avoid travelling at Christmas and New Years, spring break and the summer vacation season from July to August.
Airfare specials are often offered in spring and fall, making flying much more economical.

Students or a seniors should inquire for special rates. Airlines give student discounts, and seniors may be able to get a good deal on airfare from the AARP. If you belong to a club or service organization, ask if they are affiliated with any airlines or have a discount travel program.

If you are travelling in a large group and are contemplating using individual cars or a long bus ride, check the cost of charter aircraft. Sometimes it is cheaper to reserve an entire plane than buy individual tickets. It’s a lot more pleasant to take a short plane trip together than sit for an entire day stuffed together in a vehicle.

Last but not least, consider how much time you will save by flying. If you only have a week or two for your vacation, driving may cut into your free time significantly. It’s tiring, too, and you may need a day or two to recuperate after a day of driving. It may be worth a bit of extra money to save a lot of aggravation.
Airfares out of large airports can be more expensive than out of smaller municipal airports, so if you are travelling to a large city, check smaller airports nearby. The trip may be much cheaper with only a small detour. Be sure to consider cab fare or rental car rates to get to final destination.

Special …

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