- Reserve Cheap Airline Tickets - Jacob Lodwick
Although airlines have collapsed the difference between the costs of checking bags in online versus checking bags in at the airport, consumers can still secure cheap airline tickets and save money. Smart travelers can also yield savings when they check their baggage in online.
People who travel with two or more bags at least eight times a year, might consider getting a premiere baggage account with airlines that offer the service. For example, United’s premiere baggage account cost $249 for a year. With the cost of checking in three bags averaging $100, this account could yield annual savings for frequent flyers.
Use Airline Credit Cards
Pay for cheap airline tickets to get thousands of instant frequent flyer bonus miles. For people who use credit cards anyway, reserving airline tickets with an airline credit card can yield savings. Continental Airlines credits travelers with 25,000 frequent flyer bonus miles when they use their credit card for the first time. Checked baggage fees are also waived when passengers use the card to reserve airline tickets. This alone could equal $50 in roundtrip baggage check fees.
After account holders use the card for a year, they receive two President’s Club Passes worth $90 in savings. Be sure to read the fine print, as some airline credit cards charge an annual fee. For example, Continental charges an $85 annual fee. However, true frequent flyers could more than triple this cost in savings each year.
Northwest and Delta also credit flyers with 25,000 frequent flyer bonus miles when they use their Delta American Express credit card to make airline reservations. 20,000 of those miles are credited after the card holder’s first purchase. The remaining 5,000 frequent flyer bonus miles are credited after the traveler adds two additional card members to their account. There’s no annual fee the first year that the card is used (a $95 savings).
Combine with Vacation Deals
Consumers who are flying to major vacation sites like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Octoberfest, the Olympics, NBA or NFL All-Star games or the Egyptian Pyramids, can check with the airline or the vacation site to learn about cheap airline reservations that they can make by combining the price of their airline ticket with the cost to enter the event.
For example, Southwest Airlines has a Disney World vacation package from El Paso, Texas to Orlando, Florida for $108. The price includes one roundtrip airline ticket and three free hotel nights (on a 7-night hotel stay) at Walt Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Fees for the first two bags checked in at the airline on the trip are waived.
Reserve Early
This one almost goes without saying. Yet, so many travelers wait until the last minute to book their airline reservations, a habit that could cost a frequent flyer hundreds of dollars a year.
As much as possible, avoid traveling during early mornings and evenings (when business travelers fill up seats) as cheaper airline fares are typically limited during these high demand times. Reserve airline seats early, on the right days and at the best times of the day.
Price Compare
Check out prices on tickets at various airlines with cheap travel price comparison websites. It only takes a few seconds. Travelers should provide the departure locations, dates, times and the number of adults and children they want to reserve cheap airline tickets for.
They can also call these companies directly using their 1-800 telephone numbers to reserve cheap airline tickets. Most price comparison travel sites no longer charge booking fees. Be sure to check whether the tickets are refundable or non-refundable.
Book a Non-Refundable Ticket
Sure. Travelers would be taking chances with this one, but the savings can be several hundred dollars or 50% off the cost of a regular roundtrip ticket. Should travelers have to make a change to their flight due to an emergency, etc., they can.
There is usually a change fee ($74 to $150 depending on the airline) that they have to pay. They also might be required to pay the difference in the original non-refundable ticket they purchase and the ticket they actually end up using. Businesses use this one to realize steep price savings.
Using cheap travel websites to compare airline ticket prices saves time and money. Travelers can also land cheap airline tickets by reserving non-refundable tickets and using airline credit cards. Of course, travelers should always use their frequent flyer accounts to gain the best price deals. Smart travelers take their time, research current airline deals, book their tickets early and take advantage of price specials.
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