Air Travel Costs Are Down If You Are Flexible

The air-fares offered by most airlines today are influenced by scores of factors. But, saving on air-travel is easy, provided you are ready to devote a little more time and efforts.

Points Worth Remembering

1 Try to book a ticket in its country of origin. For instance, if you're planning a one-way flight from Paris to Rome, a France-based travel agency will probably offer the lowest fares.

2 Look into courier flights, where companies hire a courier (you) and use your excess baggage allowance for their time-sensitive business cargo.

3 Lowest-price fares often require one to three weeks' advance purchase, are nonrefundable, require a certain length of stay, and carry stiff penalties for changing dates and destinations.

4 Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts. Whether you are traveling for leisure or for business, here are 10 handy tips that could guide you to get the best bargains on your air travel and ensure that you make the most of your hard earned mullah.

1. Where All Should You Look?
Start by checking and compare the fares offered by all possible on-line travel providers, aggregator sites and consolidators.

This should give you a fair idea of the general range between which your air ticket should be priced. Booking sites also have alert features to inform you of any drop in air fare.

Equipped with this knowledge, you can now visit travel agencies to know about their offers. Since these agencies buy tickets in bulk and can forgo a part of their commission, the fares offered by them are much lower.

They could also provide you an entire package including return fares, accommodation and transfers at a much lower rate.

Don’t forget to check with airlines before taking the plunge. A few airlines offer their discounted fares on their web sites alone.

You could also check with the airlines for their packages if they are offering any. These packages could help save money on transfers and accommodation.

2. Check Budget Airlines
Flying one of the budget airlines can help save heaps. The budget or discount airlines that have mushroomed in recent times, offer some great discounts on air travel. They have their fares mentioned on highly frequented travel portals and booking sites.

Also remember to check the web sites of these airlines as they often offer special discounted fares.

3. Check for Special Round Trip Fares
Many airlines often offer special fares when itinerary includes many destinations and back. This is called a round trip.

Consider booking return journey in advance. This can go a long way in helping you save.

4. When to Stop Looking?
Before making the final decision, check sites such as Kayak.com, that offer predictions on whether the air fare for a particular itinerary is on upward or a downward trend.

They also predict the general price range within which your ticket should be priced given the time and destination of travel.

5. Be Flexible with Time and Date
The mantra to finding the best air fare is being flexible with respect to the time and date of your travel.

Often, a minor change in dates or time of travel can translate into huge savings. Flying in mid week or during off hours could also save you loads of dollars.

The most attractive deals are offered by airlines on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, when they announce their new ticket pricing. So, booking a flight on Monday could leave you fist clenching and exasperated.

Try to avoid traveling during season time. Also, don’t forget to check on standby fares. But availing standby fares during the peak season could leave you hunting for spare seat on the airline.

It would, however be best if you could wait and cash upon until a price war erupts between airlines.

6. Plan Your Travel Ahead of Time
Airlines price their tickets in accordance with the number of days left for travel. Hence, for domestic flights, they typically raise the ticket price 21 days, 14 days, 7 days and 3 days prior to departure.

The simple rule of thumb for air travel is - the sooner you purchase your tickets, the cheaper they tend to be. So, if you wish to do some savings, plan your travel much ahead of time.

In case you plan to fly international, you bookings have to be done much earlier, say about 6 to 7 months prior to your intended date of departure, in order to be able to save some money.

7. Last Minute Bookings
Last minute flying plans need not necessarily mean paying from your nose. In fact, it could some times be good news and get you some of the best bargains on air fare ever.

You could also check out web sites that specialize in last minute travel such as LastMinuteTravel.com.

For domestic travel you could also consider late night flights (Usually International Flights with a couple of stop-overs) called red-eye if the flight is a hopping one and stops at the destination of your choice.

If you decide to fly on the eleventh hour, you could go to the airport and inquire if a flight that is about to take off within the next couple of hours has any extra seats left. If you are lucky you could get them dirt-cheap.

8. Avail an Air Pass When Possible
When traveling to international destinations, remember to check about air pass. Many countries offer air passes on their national carriers, with an aim to promote tourism to specific destinations in their country.

If you plan extensive travel in a certain country, these air passes could help you save heaps.

9. Redeem Your Frequent Flier Miles
If you are a frequent flier with a specific or a few airlines, you could consider redeeming your frequent flier points now.

This is a good way of making your travel free. Sometimes your accumulated points should be enough to include the travel tickets of your entire family.

However, it would be prudent on your part to first check the availability of seats because a limited number of seats are assigned by each airline for such award travel, which sell off quickly.

10. Check Special Deals Wherever Possible
The key to saving money is to ask for something more, and more often you will get it. Find out about special deals for senior citizens, children, spouse, etc whenever applicable.

Have you ever tried ‘name-your-own-price’ tickets? Although there is a fair amount of risk in that as they reveal your exact airline, flight times and routes, they can save about 40 percent of your travel expenses.

You could also try to getting refund to an already purchased air ticket, the prices of which have subsequently gone down.

Here’s wishing you a bon voyage!

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Simplifying Senior Travel

How to Make Travel Simple for Senior Citizens
By Fred Rodriguez on April 11, 2010

Have you long wished to see the Golden Gate Bridge or the Arc de Triomph? Are you missing family from a far away place? Has the idea of traveling to Ireland or Scotland peaked your interest? As the saying goes, “Seize the day!” and start making plans now that will allow you to take a fun-filled trip that will provide lasting memories. Just explore your options and value the experience.

Staying healthy and maintaining energy levels can be challenging as we grow older, but research shows that staying active makes it easier to accomplish both. Taking a trip employs your mental and physical abilities, which helps you to stay active. Consider travel to places you’ve never been, to cultures that stretch your mind and spirit. More and more, travelers over the age of fifty are outnumbering younger travelers at popular destinations.

Here are some travel suggestions for those who may be advanced in years but remain young in spirit. When you are choosing a travel agency, ask if they specialize in working with and helping senior citizens with their traveling needs. Second, it’s safer to travel with someone than alone, like with a family member, a new or old friend, or even an member of a group you belong to.

Keep in mind when you travel with larger groups that can often mean discounted rates for both hotels and airlines. These days, there are many lightweight and compact travel cases available. You might consider the suitcases that have wheels on the bottom. If you must travel with a narcotic prescription, make sure you bring a note from your physician, as well as the paperwork for the medication. Having appropriate paperwork with you makes it easier to get through the airport security.

Traveler’s insurance may be a useful thing to invest in, depending on the details of your trip. Checking on medical insurance coverage abroad is a smart thing to do before you embark on your trip. There are a few policies that do not provide this coverage, so check to make sure. Finally, do some thorough research on your planned destination before finalizing your travel itinerary.

A little thoughtful planning beforehand will make your trip a much safer and enjoyable one. Here are some simple safety tips for senior tourists.

Be prepared to take along enough prescription medication to last the length of your trip and extra seven days. It’s better to err on the side of caution, as you never know what could delay you. Make an appointment with your doctor before hand to get a clean bill of health. Talk to your physician about the steps you should take in case the unexpected happens.

You should also carry a list of who you would like to be contacted in case of emergency. The list should include your name, home address, family members, primary care physician, any health concerns you have and any medicines you take. Have it on you at all times; in case of an emergency situation, make sure your travel companions know how to obtain it.

Your physician can advise you on when to take medications if you are traveling through time zones. Ask about possible food and medication interactions. Be sure to get all the immunizations you will need for diseases that may be common to the area you will be visiting. Depending on where you are traveling, you may need to get specific immunizations before you go–sometimes up to six weeks in advance. Also consider the conditions inside the aircraft. Air quality can be dry, so hydrate often. Drink plenty of water while in flight. Get up and move around during your flight. Stretch your arms and legs a few times. Sitting in one place during your flight will make you feel stiff and tired.

When packing your suitcases, try to limit your items to only those you know you will actually need; this prevents you from having to carry more than necessary. Pack clothes that mix and match, such as two or three tops that can be paired with slacks or a skirt. For men, trousers and a suit jacket can be worn with two or three long or short-sleeved shirts. Include an item or two for warmer or cooler weather than expected. Sweaters and shawls can be worn during cool evening temperatures and places where air is climate controlled. Clothing that can be continually washed and worn is the best option.

And don’t forgot comfortable shoes for walking, but be aware of the image you will be presenting to the local people. Wearing some traveler items can actually make you stand out for local criminals looking to take advantage of tourists. Losing baggage happens and it can take as much as several days to find them. Be sure to let other people know where you will be. Jot down your agenda, travel plans, hotel address and phone numbers with someone at home.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524