| Make your reservations as soon as you have decided | | | | with my Airline to provide me even greater rewards |
| on travel plans. Airlines give discounts for early | | | | for using their services? |
| bookings at least 21 days in advance. The best Fares | | | | - Check out your Airline's web site. They should have |
| are often those that include a Saturday night stay | | | | a list of other businesses they have partnered with |
| and have travel dates during the week. | | | | that can reward you with bonus points or miles and |
| - Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and | | | | discounts or other special offers. These other |
| easiest way to compare many different Airlines' rates | | | | businesses are usually found on your Airline's web site |
| to find the best deals. - If you can be flexible about | | | | in a special travel partners section or they can be |
| when you travel, do so. It can bring big savings. Even | | | | listed under their membership program section as |
| changing a flight's time during the same day can | | | | participants or partners. |
| effect the rate. Often the less popular early morning | | | | How can I beat the best rate flying into my |
| or late evening flights have lower rates. | | | | destination? |
| - The best rates tend to be found during the off | | | | - Check into another destination. You might be able |
| season and at other times when the Airlines are | | | | to fly into a nearby neighboring city at a much lower |
| flying at less than capacity. | | | | rate. Remember to allow for other costs when you |
| - Check into splitting your trip into two roundtrip | | | | consider this option. You could lose the airport |
| sections. A stopover at a midpoint could save you | | | | shuttle, and your rental car costs, gas, etc., may |
| over flying a direct route. Although, make sure the | | | | change. This might also take a little more travel time. |
| saving are large enough to warrant the extra hassles | | | | Should I buy someone else's frequent flyer awards, |
| of the stopover. | | | | vouchers or unused tickets? |
| - Check into booking your travel plans as a package. | | | | - No, there are lots of ways you can get burned |
| You might be able to save by booking your Airline | | | | doing this. Most Airline programs have rules against |
| tickets along with your hotel room or rental car. | | | | this activity and you'll be denied boarding if you are |
| - Ask if this is the best rate that they have available | | | | caught. With computer checking systems and rules |
| when you are booking your reservation. | | | | requiring proper I.D., your chances of getting caught |
| - Apply any special discount programs for which you | | | | and losing your money are good. Many of these |
| are eligible. | | | | items are also easy to copy or fake and you might |
| - When you reach check-in, ask to see if any special | | | | just end up the victim of fraud. |
| upgrade deals are available. | | | | How will I know which is the best Airline for me? |
| - Take some time to look for the best rate, a little | | | | If it's a onetime flight, you can probably see who flies |
| research can bring big savings. Airline ticket prices | | | | the route for the cheapest rate. If you are looking |
| vary wildly and you want to be the one that paid | | | | for more of a relationship, you'll want to consider |
| $200.00 roundtrip, not the guy in the next seat that | | | | some of the factors listed below: |
| paid $600.00. | | | | - You'll still want to consider ticket prices. |
| What types of special discount programs are | | | | - See if you belong to any groups that entitle you a |
| available? | | | | special deal with a particular Airline. |
| - Check for special deals with your membership in | | | | - Investigate the Airline's on-time, safety and |
| associations or clubs. | | | | customer service record. |
| - Memberships in premium or loyalty clubs and | | | | - Evaluate frequent flyer programs to see which will |
| frequent flyer programs can offer discounts. | | | | allow you to earn free tickets or upgrades the |
| - Some credit cards have special discount | | | | quickest. |
| agreements with certain Airlines. | | | | - You might want the Airline with the more lenient |
| - Package discounts can be found when booking your | | | | luggage policy. |
| Airline ticket along with a certain hotel, cruise line, or | | | | - Pick an Airline that has strong routes and flight |
| rental car company. | | | | options available for the area where you'll be doing |
| - Discounts are available for some age groups, young | | | | most of your traveling. |
| and old, as well as, students. | | | | - Find out what Airline partnerships they have to see |
| - Discounts are often available for large groups | | | | if they will provide you further flight options. |
| traveling together. | | | | - Find out what other partnerships they have that |
| - Discounts are often available for government, | | | | could save you money in other areas. Many Airlines |
| military or corporate employees. Some Airlines will | | | | have agreements with hotel chains, rental cars or |
| even extend these discounts during leisure travel. | | | | credit card companies. |
| How can I find other businesses that have partnered | | | | |