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How can I get a better rate on my Airline tickets?

Make your reservations as soon as you have decided on travel plans. Airlines give discounts for early bookings at least 21 days in advance. The best rates are often those that include a Saturday night stay and have travel dates during the week.

If you can be flexible about when you travel, do so. It can bring big savings. Even changing a flight’s time during the same day can effect the rate. Often the less popular early morning or late evening flights have lower rates.

The best rates tend to be found during the off season and at other times when the Airlines are flying at less than capacity.

Check into splitting your trip into two roundtrip sections. A stopover at a midpoint could save you over flying a direct route. Although, make sure the saving are large enough to warrant the extra hassles of the stopover.

Check into booking your travel plans as a package. You might be able to save by booking your Airline tickets along with your hotel room or rental car.

Ask if this is the best rate that they have available when you are booking your reservation.

Apply any special discount programs for which you are eligible.

When you reach check-in, ask to see if any special upgrade deals are available.

Take some time to look for the best rate, a little research can bring big savings. Airline ticket prices vary wildly and you want to be the one that paid $200.00 roundtrip, not the guy in the next seat that paid $600.00.

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What types of special discount programs are available?

Check for special deals with your membership in associations or clubs.

Memberships in premium or loyalty clubs and frequent flyer programs can offer discounts.

Some credit cards have special discount agreements with certain Airlines.

Package discounts can be found when booking your Airline ticket along with a certain hotel, cruise line, or rental car company.

Discounts are available for some age groups, young and old, as well as, students.

Discounts are often available for large groups traveling together.

Discounts are often available for government, military or corporate employees. Some Airlines will even extend these discounts during leisure travel.

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How can I find other businesses that have partnered with my Airline to provide me even greater rewards for using their services?

Check out your Airline’s web site. They should have a list of other businesses they have partnered with that can reward you with bonus points or miles and discounts or other special offers. These other businesses are usually found on your Airline’s web site in a special travel partners section or they can be listed under their membership program section as participants or partners.

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How can I beat the best rate flying into my destination?

Check into another destination. You might be able to fly into a nearby neighboring city at a much lower rate. Remember to allow for other costs when you consider this option. You could lose the airport shuttle, and your rental car costs, gas, etc., may change. This might also take a little more travel time.

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Should I buy someone else’s frequent flyer awards, vouchers or unused tickets?

No, there are lots of ways you can get burned doing this. Most Airline programs have rules against this activity and you’ll be denied boarding if you are caught. With computer checking systems and rules requiring proper I.D., your chances of getting caught and losing your money are good. Many of these items are also easy to copy or fake and you might just end up the victim of fraud.

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How will I know which is the best Airline for me?

If it’s a onetime flight, you can probably see who flies the route for the cheapest rate. If you are looking for more of a relationship, you’ll want to consider some of the factors listed below:

You’ll still want to consider ticket prices.

See if you belong to any groups that entitle you a special deal with a particular Airline.

Investigate the Airline’s on-time, safety and customer service record.

Evaluate frequent flyer programs to see which will allow you to earn free tickets or upgrades the quickest.

You might want the Airline with the more lenient luggage policy.

Pick an Airline that has strong routes and flight options available for the area where you’ll be doing most of your traveling.

Find out what Airline partnerships they have to see if they will provide you further flight options.

Find out what other partnerships they have that could save you money in other areas. Many Airlines have agreements with hotel chains, rental cars or credit card companies.

Find out which Airline is most willing to help with your special requests.

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Where can I find information on an Airline’s on-time, luggage care and customer service record?

www.dot.gov/airconsumer/index1.htm
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report web page. This site contains information on flight delays, mishandled baggage, oversales or overbooking of flights, consumer complaints, and disability complaints for the ten largest U.S. Airlines. Each of these sections provides valuable information to assist the traveler in evaluating which major Airline would provide them the best service.


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