| The no-frills airline, launched by Southwest | | | | Getting the best deal |
| in the 1980s, is no longer a U.S. phenomena. | | | | |
| Low cost carriers are popping up around the | | | | - Initiate your search with on-line agencies |
| world. They are taking over domestic and | | | | and consolidators. |
| international routes throughout Europe and | | | | |
| Asia and select routes in South America, | | | | - Subscribe to the airline and to the |
| Africa and the Middle East. A few even | | | | consolidator's newsletter. |
| operate intercontinental flights. And many | | | | |
| are profitable. | | | | - Utilize services that enable you to set a |
| | | | price, such as the Orbitz "Deal Detector". |
| Yet there is a flip side to cheap tickets. | | | | Orbitz will send an email if fares on the |
| Travelers can spend a significant amount of | | | | route you select drop to the price level you |
| time scouring the web for the best deal. Not | | | | set. The service is available for free. |
| all countries have a low cost carrier and not | | | | |
| all airports are serviced by a discount | | | | - Use the consolidator as a tool. Book |
| airline. Many low-fare companies cannot be | | | | directly with airline. This may reduce the |
| booked through on-line agencies or | | | | service charge without affecting the fare. |
| consolidators, such as Expedia, Orbitz and | | | | |
| Lastminute. Promotional offers are usually | | | | Comparing fares |
| limited and expire on a daily if not hourly | | | | |
| basis. And when you finally find a flight, it | | | | - Low cost fares are often quoted on a |
| is difficult to compare the offering. | | | | one-way basis. |
| | | | |
| The following tips will reduce your search | | | | - Taxes, handling fees and other surcharges |
| time and prepare you for any additional | | | | are not always included in the initial price. |
| travel time. | | | | Click through to the final page to |
| | | | effectively compare cost. |
| Research | | | | |
| | | | - Airfare may be quoted in the airline or |
| - Determine which carriers service the route | | | | consolidator's local currency only. |
| you wish to fly. Many airport web sites | | | | Converting fares to a single currency will |
| include a route map as well as a list of | | | | facilitate comparison. |
| carriers. Alternatives will only become | | | | |
| apparent if you check the web site of both | | | | Before you depart |
| airports, arrival and departure. | | | | |
| | | | - Pack a lunch or a snack and drinks for all. |
| - If you are traveling abroad or within a | | | | Food and drinks are no longer included in the |
| foreign country or continent, identify local | | | | price of the ticket! |
| on-line agencies and consolidators of | | | | |
| discount airfares. | | | | - Arrive at the airport early if you want to |
| | | | sit next to your companion and the kids. |
| - Low cost carriers often use secondary | | | | Seating is likely to be open and boarding is |
| airports. Verify distance and ground | | | | oftentimes based on the order in which |
| transportation before you book. Most low-fare | | | | passengers' check-in. |
| carriers and many consolidators provide such | | | | |
| information on their web sites. | | | | Find out who flies where |
| | | | |
| - Many low-fare carriers offer point-to-point | | | | European Travel Network |
| service. It may not be possible to check-in | | | | |
| for a second flight at a transit desk. Thus | | | | WhichBudget |
| you may need to build-in time between flights | | | | |
| to accommodate any passport formalities, | | | | Low-cost consolidators |
| claim your luggage and check-in for the | | | | |
| second leg of your journey. | | | | SideStep |
| | | | |
| - Security precautions introduced by major | | | | BravoFly |
| credit card companies may limit your ability | | | | |
| to book flights on foreign web sites. | | | | Copyright © more2explore S.r.l. All rights |
| | | | reserved. |