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Specific ways to get cheap airfares

Here are some specific ways to get or find cheap airfares, varying from enrolling into a frequent flyer program, acquiring a frequent flyer credit card, using charter airline flights, traveling as courier to senior and student discounts.

Enroll in a Frequent Flyer Program

Pick one or two airlines that you normally fly. Often you can pick up frequent flyer miles by using credit cards or patronizing airline “partners” such as hotel, rental car agencies, and credit card and phone companies. Read the enrollment agreement carefully. Airline policies for frequent flyer programs vary. To avoid disappointment be sure you understand the agreement. Don’t get caught up in earning frequent flyer miles at the expense of forfeiting cheap airfares. The miles you earn may not be as valuable as the money you save.

Acquire a Frequent Flyer Credit Card

If you use a credit card for most of your purchases and travel fairly often, consider frequent flyer credit cards that earn you frequent flyer miles. Almost all airlines offer their own frequent flyer credit cards that let you accumulate frequent flyer miles for travel on their airline for every dollar you spend. Often, these credit cards offer double miles and bonuses for certain purchases. Sometimes you may be given the opportunity to purchase additional miles.

Charter Airline Flights

Charter airline flights are marketed to a certain group of travelers. Charters buy blocks of tickets in advance and resell them to consumers. For example, a tour company might buy a large block of tickets to accommodate a group that will tour France together.

Charters make their money by filling every seat. Be aware that charters are quite crowded and in flight service may be compromised. Charters can be found through travel agents and tour operators.

Charter airline flights do not operate under the same regulations as scheduled airlines. They have the right to change schedules at the last minute, to delay flights for up to 48 hours, and to cancel 10 days before the flight if seats aren’t selling well. To avoid disappointment, be sure you understand the imposed restrictions and that you know your rights.

Travel agents deal with charters all the time. They will be able to recommend reputable tour companies they trust.

Charter airline flights aren’t always priced less than the lowest published fares or consolidators’ fares, so compare prices. You could find cheap airfares.

Cheap Domestic Fares

If you are looking for cheap domestic fares, consider flying to another city. Travelers pay a premium for direct flights on domestic airlines so, it’s important to check airfares to all airports and cities in the vicinity of your destination. If you plan to rent a car for a tour of France, does it matter if you land at Brussels (Belgium) or Paris? If you are flying to New York, does it matter if you land at JFK, La Guardia, or Newark? Of course, you are the only one who can answer that.

Don't forget to check all airlines that fly to your destination for cheap domestic airfares. The reason for their success is that they move maximum people for minimum cost and therefore can offer cheap domestic fares. When searching for cheap domestic airfares on low cost airlines, don't expect to find many frills. There are no first class or business seats, and open seating is usually the rule. The airline typically serves only drinks and snacks, but you are usually allowed to bring food on board.

Low cost airlines fly to a limited number of destinations and not always into the most-traveled airport in cities with multiple airports. Expect, however, to find cheap domestic fares by saving 50%-60% on airfare. Be aware that these airlines are left out of the majority of searches done by travel sites.

Finding the Cheapest Online Fares

Obviously, the cheapest online fares are found on the internet! Even travel agents and airlines can't match them. And of course, the internet provides the convenience of shopping anytime. Shopping for cheap airfares is basically the same for domestic and international flights, however, there are a few differences. When searching for airfares, be sure to consider all airlines that fly from your departure to destination. Be as flexible as possible with dates and times. Flying just a few days later or earlier can increase your chances of finding the cheapest online fares. Shopping for airfares on the internet is fairly straight forward and secure. You can have your confirmation via e-mail in a few minutes.

Airlines estimate that it costs them $15-$25 each time a client books through an agent. So, understandably airlines encourage online reservations. Airlines usually won't sell you their least expensive over the phone. In fact, airlines don't even like to discuss them. Keep in mind that the less expensive fares come and go quickly, so, if you run across a bargain fare, don't wait too long to snap it up, or it could be gone.

Cheap International Airfares

Often, travelers pay a premium for direct flights, especially to less popular destinations. To get cheap international fares from e.g. the USA, consider flying to a major city such as London or Hong Kong and then taking a connecting flight to the Middle East, Africa, or another European or Asian city.

The deregulation of the European airlines in 1997 resulted in cheap international airfares between an ever-expanding number of European cities. To find the best deals on cheap international fares, book early. Within Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia you can book a flight with a low cost carrier. They are strictly no frills and usually even soft drinks are not free. Sometimes the airlines fly to less traveled airports farther from the city, so the cost of transportation to the city might be as much as you saved on airfare. Don’t be late for your flight. There are no refunds or changes allowed. All things considered, this is a good way to take advantage of cheap airfares.

Flight passes are a great bargain if you are looking for cheap international airfares. This is especially true if you would like to see a number of cities in a limited amount of time. They were introduced to promote foreign tourism and are usually only available to tourists. EuropeByAir.com offers flight coupons to 150 destinations on the European continent, with no blackout dates. Unlimited flight passes for 15 or 21 days are also available. Cathay Pacific specializes in cheap international airfares passes to the Asian market. You can travel from their North American gateway cities to Hong Kong and to any or all of sixteen additional cities within 21 days for one price.

Don't forget that for international flights you will need a passport or visa.

Cheap Last Minute Fares

What are your chances of finding cheap last minute fares? Sometimes you have no choice but to make plans on short notice. It's possible to find cheap airfares if you know where to look.

Check first for a courier flight if you are traveling to a foreign country. Last minute ones may be free. Visit the airlines' sites to see if tickets to your destination have been "dumped". If you signed up for airline newsletters, you may be notified of cheap last minute fares by e-mail. Check the consolidators and airfare auctions to see what late seats are available for bidding.

Courier Flights

Flying on air courier flights is a great way to find cheap international airfares. You can save 20-50% traveling on courier flights. As courier, you give up all or most of your baggage allowance in exchange for a discounted round-trip ticket. You may carry on as much luggage as the airline allows. So, you need to be good at packing lightly. You meet the courier agent several hours before take off. He gives you an airline ticket and receipts for the cargo he has already checked through. When you reach your destination, a courier representative will meet you and collect the receipts necessary to retrieve his cargo.

Businesses use couriers because passenger baggage is processed immediately by customs upon arrival. Unaccompanied cargo is warehoused and processed as custom officers get to it and sometimes mysteriously disappears.

Reservations to destinations in demand usually need to be made a few weeks in advance. As the date approaches, courier flights become cheaper until the courier position is filled. Occasionally, if you are willing to fly on short notice, your trip may be free. Length of stay varies, but generally the farther you travel the more time is allowed for your stay. Usually you will serve as a courier on the return trip. Courier flights usually need only one courier per flight. If you’re traveling with a partner, you may be able to arrange a courier position for your partner on a consecutive day. Or, it might be possible for your partner to take the same flight, but for a different courier service. If this doesn’t work, at least one of you has saved on airfare.

Air courier companies are legitimate businesses and are well known by customs officials. You won't be asked to carry anything illegal. All cargo is x-rayed and inspected before departure. You are not allowed to touch the cargo; all you carry is the paperwork. Although courier companies are reputable, there is always a chance you could run into one that is not. So, check them out just like anyone else you do business with.

If you are interested in courier flights, the International Association of Air Travel Couriers will provide you with courier flight listings for 12 months for a fee of $50. Or, alternately, visit the Air Courier Directory website. For a fee of $10, you will have access to the Air Courier Directory for a year as well as familiarize yourself with departure and destination cities. They also claim to have more timely information on available courier flights.

Discount Senior Airfares

Be sure to take advantage of discount senior airfares. One thing that does improve with age is the price of airfares. Mature travelers generally have more money to spend and the flexibility to travel when airlines are flying empty seats. If you are booking through a travel agent, remember to mention that you are eligible for senior fare, but don't assume these airfares are always the lowest fares available.

Age restrictions for these special airfares vary. Some airlines require travelers to be 62; others 65. Normally, senior airfares are 10% off published fares.

Another way to save is to purchase senior coupon books. Most airlines sell them. These are a great deal if you fly at least twice a year. Booklets are sold in blocks of four tickets. Each ticket is valid for a one-way trip, usually to destinations in North America, including the Caribbean.

Student Discount Airfare

Students may be eligible for student discount airfare. Restrictions on age requirements vary from airline to airline (Check with the airline). If you are a student, considering studying abroad or traveling extensively overseas, check out StudentUniverse.com. They offer student fares with additional advantages for student travelers. These student fares are usually valid for six months to a year. Sometimes students are allowed free stopovers in airline hub cities.

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