Not All Cheap Flights Are Good
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 offer cheap fares have made air flight not only possible for many, but also far more assessable. However, there are some downsides to consider, as well. One hassle is simply not knowing how to go about an effective search. There is a plethora of low-fare sites on the Internet these days, and they are all just a little different. Do not assume the stipulations that govern one, will apply to the others. If you want to find a travel site that fits your needs, you need to plan to do some searching. This can be quite time consuming. Hopping from one site to another searching out the best bargain, means you are going to spend some significant time in front of your computer, and it does not guarantee you will wind up with the best deal out there.
Keep in mind that some cheap fare sites will not confirm your airline or flight times, until after you have committed to purchasing a ticket. If you have the luxury of flexibility, you may not find this challenging.
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.
It is very common for travel deals to have a number of restrictions attached. Do not count on using your frequent flyer miles or a standby option. You need to familiarize yourself with all the pertinent information available, but this isn’t always easy. It is not that the information isn’t out there, the problem is that it’s often hidden in pockets all over the site. You may need to dig a little.
As a final point, remember that you will not be dealing with a real person when you book online. If you have problems or questions, you will not find much in the way of help. Online, you are on your own.