By Katie Allie
These are my stories from the road and hard-won guidance from a thoughtful traveler. If I’m making you curious about getting lost and finding the good stuff in this great big world we all share, then I’m doing something right.
The most frequently asked question by far for a travel consultant is, “How do I get the best airfare?” Airline ticket pricing is based on so many different factors, it would make your head spin. Let’s assume you’re aware that flying on a Thursday, Friday or Sunday will usually be more expensive and that major hub airports will have the best selection in terms of connections and pricing. What next?
1. Use a third-party search engine while you’re looking for flights, but when you’re ready to book, do it directly with the airline.
If there is one rule I have when booking plane tickets, this is it. When you’re just poking around, use a third-party search engine. My favorites are Kayak and Momondo. Momondo is great for when you want to go somewhere but don’t have a set destination in mind. For example, if you don’t have a specific location in mind, use their “Flights” tab and insert your departure airport. Then choose “Take Me Anywhere” as your destination to see real-time pricing come up for destinations all over the world. Their “Trip Finder” tab can also be used to narrow the search down by activity, world region or month. It’s fun to play with and dream.
I also love Kayak for its user-friendly flexible date and airport search. Sometimes you’ll be shocked at what a difference a day or two can make, not only in terms of pricing but also connections and general flight availability. Always use their “+/- 3 Days” option, even when you think you’re locked in to firm dates. You can also check “Include Nearby” to see if any nearby airports offer a better option.
It’s important to know they will show you pricing from other third-party sites, including ones with impossibly low fares—don’t fall for it. There are real horror stories about third-party sites charging cards but never actually booking the flight, leaving would-be passengers hanging on the day they show up at the airport only to have their reservation denied. Furthermore, your fare won’t include the fine print from the airline regarding extra baggage, et cetera, which is particularly important with budget airlines. Examples of third-party airfare providers include Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, OneTravel, Orbitz and JustFly.
The reason I urge you to be cautious is simple: booking via one of these third parties creates an unnecessary middleman, especially if things go wrong—which they can and often do. If your flight is delayed, canceled or rescheduled, you may suddenly find yourself in an endless game of phone tag as each side points the finger at who should be handling the reservation. Airlines are also more willing to work with you should an issue arise if you book directly, if only because it’s much simpler for them. Save yourself the headache, even if it seemingly costs more. Usually, what the third party saves you up front, you end up paying back in spades in hidden fees and botched trips.
2. Utilize private browsing, and clear your cookies.
Let’s say you’ve searched and daydreamed and now you’re ready to book that flight—only the ones you’d picked out yesterday that were perfect are suddenly $100 more. What gives?
This is often due to dynamic pricing, a strategy utilized by airlines, usually through the cookies in your browser, to track your search activity. If you’ve been busily searching a particular route for a few weeks and the price starts creeping up, be suspicious. Airlines do this to make you feel that you must urgently buy the ticket before the price rises even more. To be sure you’re not being targeted by dynamic pricing, utilize the private browsing function, clear your cookies or use a different computer from a different IP address when you’re ready to book. You may see the price suddenly drop to its original status.
Of course, the price of your ticket may have simply gone up because of demand. Unbeknownst to you, a traveling field hockey team just purchased 20 tickets last night or it is just a busy route that sees its lowest priced seats quickly snatched up. Another thing to remember: there are no deals during peak travel times like Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s.
3. Be wise and realistic about budget airlines.
I am a big fan of budget airlines, but I am also aware of what I’m getting myself into. Europe and Asia have especially caught the budget airline bug, whereas North America lags a bit behind. It can be a great way to get around, but it is absolutely no frills.
For example, I once flew round-trip, non-stop on a weekend from Lisbon to Rome for $47. However, my luggage was carry-on only, and it had to meet some very specific size and weight requirements. There was no in-flight entertainment—not even a SkyMall magazine to leaf through—and there was a limited list of expensive food items for sale once I was on board. Passengers even had to pay for water. That said, I also once took a budget airline flight from Osaka to Bangkok, and my luggage came in at one pound over the weight limit, therefore incurring a penalty fee that cost more than my actual ticket. Suddenly, it wasn’t such a great deal.
My point is, read the fine print and be realistic about what kind of traveler you are. Every budget airline offers the option to purchase extra weight for your luggage, and it’s usually cheaper when you do it at the time of ticket purchase rather than waiting until check-in. Do they require you to stop at a counter and have your passport checked before proceeding through security? Are you required to check in online before arriving at the airport? Also, be very sure about which airport you’re flying into or out of. In cities where there is more than one airport, you are almost certainly flying in the smaller, more distant of the two. In some cases it’s a matter of a few extra minutes getting into town, while others can be a significant hassle. Do your homework to make sure it really is a good deal or get ready to feel the burn in your wallet.
Needless to say, these days when I’m on long-haul flights, I tend to pay the extra money for the standard comforts, although I have to say there is nothing remotely comfortable about an economy class seat after about two hours. Sometimes, being able to toss my heavy bag at the check-in counter, have a complimentary snack and kick back with an in-flight movie is completely worth the extra cost. Happy travels!
About the Author
Katie Allie is a West Virginia native who holds degrees in English and elementary education. A teacher by trade, she spent years in a classroom before branching out as a travel consultant and writer. With five continents under her belt and an affinity for noodle soup, it should come as no surprise that she loves to write about food and talk adventure. She may be reached at hello@acrossthelinetravel.com.
