| Unless you are a frequent business flyer and have | | | | a ticket.Low Cost AirlinesLook into all airlines that |
| your air fares paid for by a company you will need to | | | | serve the destination you are interested in, including |
| consider how to save money on air fares.There is a | | | | low-cost carriers that offer low fares. On a low-cost |
| wide variety of air fares available to travelers. Here | | | | carrier, find out what you get for your money: |
| are some useful tips on how to save money when | | | | baggage transfers from one carrier to another, |
| booking air fares:Be flexibleBe flexible in your travel | | | | meals, advance seat assignments, etc.Use a Travel |
| plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals | | | | AgentConsider using a travel agent. Agents usually do |
| may be limited to travel on certain days of the week | | | | not charge a fee (they get a commission from the |
| (often Tuesday through Thursday, or Friday night | | | | airline), and they can tell you about sources of |
| through Sunday morning) or particular hours of the | | | | discounted seats that are not available directly from |
| day for example, late-night departures.Plan AheadPlan | | | | the airline.Check Air FareAfter you buy your ticket, |
| as far ahead as you can. Most airlines set aside only a | | | | you may wish to call the airline or travel agent once |
| few seats on many desirable flights at the lower | | | | or twice before departure to confirm your |
| rates. The real best bargains often sell out very | | | | reservations and check the fare. Fares change all the |
| quickly. On the other hand, if a particular flight is not | | | | time, and if that same fare goes down before you |
| selling as well as expected, air carriers sometimes | | | | fly, some airlines will refund the difference. But you |
| make more discount seats available for a particular | | | | have to ask.RestrictionsAsk about all restrictions on |
| flight just before the advance purchase deadline | | | | your fare. Typical requirements for discount fares |
| expires.Search for BargainsWhile planning ahead is a | | | | include purchasing a round-trip ticket, buying the |
| good general rule, if you can bide your time you | | | | ticket a certain number of days before departure for |
| might encounter a "fare sale." Many airlines put seats | | | | example, at least 14 or 21 days before you leave, |
| on sale for brief periods several times a year. It is | | | | purchasing the ticket within 24 hours of making a |
| difficult to predict when these sales will occur, | | | | reservation, staying over a Saturday night, traveling |
| although they often fall during times when people are | | | | during a certain time of the year, staying no more |
| less likely to buy airline tickets for example; early | | | | than 30 days, and refund/change restrictions.Ask |
| autumn or right immediately after the New Year | | | | about your ability to change or cancel your flight if |
| holiday period.Select AirportAir fares can vary | | | | you need to. Even if you get sick, you cannot |
| depending on which airport you depart from. Always | | | | assume you will get a refund. In fact, most discount |
| check on alternate airports and routings when pricing | | | | tickets now are non-refundable. |