Oddly enough, some of the same things that enable you to travel cost-effectively can be quite problematic. To begin with, establishing a baseline ticket cost means you may want to call the major airlines. This will enable you to do some comparative shopping, but it does take time, and you need to keep careful records.
Internet sites that provide inexpensive flying deals, have made air travel not only more affordable, but also more accessible for a lot of people. Despite this, there are some definite downsides. Not knowing where to start is one headache. There are numerous sites out there selling cheap tickets. Do not assume the stipulations that govern one, will apply to the others. In order to find the travel site that best suits your needs you will probably have to do some searching. Again, this can be a time-consuming process. Jumping from place to place, searching out a bargain, means you are going to spend a lot of time at your computer, and it does not guarantee you will find the best airfare.
Some travel sites won't confirm which airline you will travel with, or even your traveling times, until after you have made the purchase of a ticket. If your travel plans are flexible, then this will not be problematic. If they are not, you could be looking at significant inconvenience.
You can usually save some money on your ticket if you fly into an alternate airport, and some cheap fare sites actually require this before they accept a bid. However, this savings can be a double-edged sword. Not factoring in the added travel time, you need to think about the cost of hiring a taxi, car rental, and/or gas. Other things to weigh are weather conditions and familiarity with the vicinity. Icy roads, detours, or a wrong turn, can make that savings all but insignificant, not to mention the hassle involved.
Most flights purchased through a cheap-fare site, are non-refundable. You can reduce the cost of your ticket by booking the flight early, but that also means you are more vulnerable to unexpected changes in plans. If this happens, you may have to eat the cost of that 'cheap' ticket, not to mention the fee most sites will charge for a cancellation.
More often than not, travel deals on low-cost sites have some restrictions. You may not be able to use your frequent flyer miles or a stand-by option. It is important to inform yourself before committing your money, but sometimes, finding all the facts you need takes time and patience. Information on restrictions is available, but it is sometimes hidden in different niches throughout the website, making it very difficult to find.
Finally, keep in mind that when you go online to book that 'cheap fare' ticket, you are not going to deal with a real person. If you do run into problems or have questions that need answering, you are definitely on your own.
Internet sites that provide inexpensive flying deals, have made air travel not only more affordable, but also more accessible for a lot of people. Despite this, there are some definite downsides. Not knowing where to start is one headache. There are numerous sites out there selling cheap tickets. Do not assume the stipulations that govern one, will apply to the others. In order to find the travel site that best suits your needs you will probably have to do some searching. Again, this can be a time-consuming process. Jumping from place to place, searching out a bargain, means you are going to spend a lot of time at your computer, and it does not guarantee you will find the best airfare.
Some travel sites won't confirm which airline you will travel with, or even your traveling times, until after you have made the purchase of a ticket. If your travel plans are flexible, then this will not be problematic. If they are not, you could be looking at significant inconvenience.
You can usually save some money on your ticket if you fly into an alternate airport, and some cheap fare sites actually require this before they accept a bid. However, this savings can be a double-edged sword. Not factoring in the added travel time, you need to think about the cost of hiring a taxi, car rental, and/or gas. Other things to weigh are weather conditions and familiarity with the vicinity. Icy roads, detours, or a wrong turn, can make that savings all but insignificant, not to mention the hassle involved.
Most flights purchased through a cheap-fare site, are non-refundable. You can reduce the cost of your ticket by booking the flight early, but that also means you are more vulnerable to unexpected changes in plans. If this happens, you may have to eat the cost of that 'cheap' ticket, not to mention the fee most sites will charge for a cancellation.
More often than not, travel deals on low-cost sites have some restrictions. You may not be able to use your frequent flyer miles or a stand-by option. It is important to inform yourself before committing your money, but sometimes, finding all the facts you need takes time and patience. Information on restrictions is available, but it is sometimes hidden in different niches throughout the website, making it very difficult to find.
Finally, keep in mind that when you go online to book that 'cheap fare' ticket, you are not going to deal with a real person. If you do run into problems or have questions that need answering, you are definitely on your own.
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica's leading Flight Comparison portal, to book a flight, simply visit our website at: http://www.saflights.co.za
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