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bookviaus · 5 months

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Grab Epic Deals on Flights to Bangalore from USA!

Make your dream a reality and snag exclusive deals on cheap flights from USA! But with so many options, navigating the airfare jungle can feel overwhelming. Here's your ultimate guide to booking the perfect (and affordable) flight to Bangalore from USA:

When to Book: Fly Like a Savvy Sparrow:

Peak Season (October to March): Book 3 to 4 months in advance for deals at cheap prices. Diwali and Christmas holidays peak further, so plan early!

Shoulder Seasons (April to May, September): Flexibility is key! Look for last-minute deals or book 2-3 months ahead.

Off-Season (June to August): Monsoon magic! Enjoy the lowest fares with 1-2 months' notice.

Which Airline to Choose: Soar with the Right Wings:

Direct Flights: Multiple airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Air India, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways offer nonstop comfort, ideal for families or time-pressed travelers. Expect slightly higher fares.

One-Stop Options: Carriers like Qatar, Etihad, and Turkish Airlines often have budget-friendly options with convenient layovers.

Pro Booking Hacks: Travel Like a Mastermind:

Tuesday & Wednesday Flights: Fly midweek for potentially lower fares.

Be Flexible: Consider alternative airports near your destination (e.g., Chennai or Hyderabad) for better deals.

Embrace Incognito: Airlines track cookie behavior. Use incognito mode to avoid inflated air ticket prices.

Bonus Tip: Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport offers a prepaid taxi service for hassle-free arrival. Book yours online before you fly!

With these tips and the magic of exclusive deals, your Bangalore adventure awaits! Remember, flexibility, planning, and a little travel savvy go a long way in scoring that dream flight. So, pack your bags, embrace the vibrant chaos of Bangalore, and let your Indian odyssey begin!

#cheap flights #flight booking #international flight booking site #flight tickets #air ticket booking #bookviaus #flightdeals #internationalflight #flights to india #flight to Bangalore from USA #flight to Bangalore

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tour-company · 2 years

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Book The Best Holiday Deals At An Affordable Price At Adotrip

It is all about being savvy when it comes to securing the best holiday deals with in-depth knowledge and research for bagging serious bargains and using the right booking hacks. With global borders opening up after a brief lull of a couple of years, travel has surged at a surprising pace. People are raring to visit exciting and exotic destinations. If you are planning to visit an exciting destination, the first thing that you need to do is book a trip. With the cost of living increasing and the money getting tighter, everyone looks to book the best holiday deals at an affordable price. Here are a few hacks that can help you book these trips at an affordable price at Adotrip.

1. Shop For the Best Deals

Although it may sound quite obvious still, it is important to reiterate that the best and quickest way to grab affordable holiday deals is to look around, explore travel companies, and look for the one that has carved a niche for itself for its amazing deals. Chances are, your search will lead you to Adotrip, a travel company that offers an attractive array of affordable flight deals, offers, holidays, tour packages, and more. One word of caution worth mentioning here is that deals get quickly snapped up and may also change with little or no notice, so it is advisable to grab them fast. You may not find the same deal the next day.

2. Look For Special Hotel Offers

The next travel hack to make your holiday affordable is to look for offers and deals at the hotels you have shortlisted for your stay. You have a choice, either you speak directly to these hotels, find the best deal, and lock in quickly with reservations or rely on Adotrip staff to offer you exclusive deals on these hotels without you having to do anything about it. You will save a lot of time, money, and effort that goes into this activity. With tie-ups with an extensive network of hotels, Adotrip is in the best position to provide you with interesting deals and offers in the choicest hotels that may not be possible if contacted directly.

3. Subscribe to Newsletters

Subscribe to Adotrip Newsletters to stay updated about the latest flight deals, holidays, tour package offers, and more. Set up an alert for the Newsletter so that as soon as it lands in your inbox, you can open it and explore the offers available. You can also book bus tickets online with Adotrip at slashed rates.

4. Download the Adotrip App

The best, fastest, and simplest way to make bookings is by downloading the Adotrip app on your mobile phone. This way, you can book flight tickets, bus tickets, holidays, tour packages, and more even while on the go. As soon as you come across an exciting deal that meets your travel plans, go for it and book it immediately. It is the best way to make the most of the ‘lowest price guaranteed.’

5. Timely Bookings

Timely bookings are the key to affordable deals. Book domestic flights at the lowest airfare as soon as it is flashed to enjoy their benefits. Delayed bookings may result in losing the opportunity to book flight tickets at low airfares. It is natural for people to be tempted with last-minute deals in these uncertain times, but the chances of availing of the best holiday deals are bright only when booked in advance. 56 days prior to departure is the ideal time to book flight tickets since it fluctuates more than hotel or holiday deal prices.

Moreover, you can get a good bargain when buying on Tuesday evenings. Similarly, international flights must be booked at least six months in advance to secure the best deal. If you happen to miss this time frame, no worries, you can always rely on Adotrip to avail of the best deal in the travel business.

7. Plan Flexibility

Another hack that works wonders when it comes to grabbing the best holiday deals is being flexible over travel plans. Explore Adotrip and browse between different times and dates to select the best flight and accommodation deals. Instead of bookings on weekends, book on weekdays, preferably mid-week. Avoid peak tourist season, festivals, and holidays. If you skip these days, it will pay off.

8. Competitive Pricing

Booking exclusive holiday deals or flight tickets has become easier than ever, with Adotrip providing the best competitive pricing. There are no hidden taxes or charges, and the prices remain stagnant. Avail of the best prices and deals and look forward to enjoying a memorable holiday!

Adotrip is your go-to travel partner for availing of the best holiday deals at affordable prices. This information-rich platform turns a simple holiday into a dream vacation. Create the most memorable travel experiences while enjoying the best prices!

#book bus tickets online with adotrip #book domestic flights at the lowest airfare #best holiday deals at an affordable price

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travelcenter-uk · 2 years

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Top travel hacks and travel tips 2022: Are you ready to travel?

It’s an exciting time again for those eager Hodophiles! If travel is on your mind, you must go through these travel hacks and travel tips 2022, which will guide you and save you from burning a hole in your wallet.

With several overseas holidays getting back on track, and achieving high vaccination and letting off restrictions, one thing is clear: Travel in 2022 is coming back big!

Travel hacks and travel tips 2022

Ready to travel in 2022, but not sure about what’s new and where to start? There is nothing like a rock-solid plan when it comes to travel.

That’s why I want to share the top travel hacks and travel tips 2022 to make things convenient for you.

Book your trip at the correct time

If you book your trip during the optimal window, you could save a considerable amount, mainly on airfares.

Domestic flight prices usually spike 35 days before departure, while prices for international flights start to increase 28 days before.

The best time to book an internal trip is between 28 and 49 days in advance, and purchase tickets for international flights at least three to four months in advance to obtain the lowest prices.

Book your flight on off-peak days of the week. For example, the best day to purchase air tickets is Sunday, with savings of 15% on domestic flights and 10% on international flights.

Travel on specific days and times

Experts say that flying costs are significantly less on some days than others; thus, it is best to skip travelling on Fridays and Sundays.

However, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the most affordable days for air travel.

For specific departure and arrival times, taking off early in the morning or landing late at night generally results in cheaper prices.

PRO Tip :

Be flexible and consider travelling during off-peak periods. If you decide to travel in January, it is almost 30% cheaper than December for international flights and 15% cheaper for domestic trips.

Book accommodation wisely

You could save a lot of money by being smart when booking accommodations. The lowest average daily rate for hotel bookings tends to happen on a Tuesday, where you could save as much as 10%.

Do plenty of research about your accommodations before booking your trip. Once you select your hotel and make sure to check the reviews as well.

You can stretch your cash further by booking a lower star-rated hotel for your trip. You might be able to save up to 45% on average by opting for a lower-star hotel.

Be flexible when making a booking

International holidays are a choice now; however, there can be travel restrictions still in place. So, you should look for a holiday where you’ll have zero hassle if the need occurs to change dates or cancel for a refund or voucher without charge.

It’s vital to check the rules and regulations on your travel destination and check the entry requirements for the destination you wish to visit.

Look for flexible bookings that allow you to cancel or change your mind or the date easily.

NOTE: If you’ve booked a flight and it has been cancelled due to the pandemic, many airlines offer flexibility if you choose to change your flight or dates of travel.

Opt for package holidays for added protection, and you can make a refund or change the dates if you can’t go because your destination has closed its borders.

Check for the hotel’s cancellation policy when booking a hotel, as many offer free cancellation, usually 24-48 hours before arrival.

PRO Tip :

Always check the Foreign Office country advice before making any travel plans.

Get travel insurance

Get travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday or else; you won’t be covered for cancellation or any hindrance to your holiday.

If you travel to different destinations multiple times a year, annual policies are generally cheaper.

Use the downloaded NHS app to your device to show their vaccination status

You can download and register the NHS app on your Android and iPhone to show your vaccination status when travelling internationally.

NOTE: If you don’t have a smartphone, call the NHS helpline on 119 and request a letter at least five days after you’ve been fully vaccinated, as the letter may take up to five days to arrive by mail.

Check if your passport’s up to date

Remember to check your passport’s validity before you book your holiday to avoid being denied boarding. Many countries only accept passports that are valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.

Renewals of passports can take up to 10 weeks, so make sure to renew them in advance to save the hassle.

TIP :

To get more details on the travel requirements and updates, go to Gov.uk

NOTE: If you are visiting the EU, you’ll need at least six months left on your passport until expiry and less than 10 years old on the day you travel, which can vary based on the destination.

Use a familiar travel agent to gain cheaper rates

The UK has a plethora of ethnic travel agencies, and using an agent such as Travel Center UK can be a great advantage when it comes to booking a holiday for cheap.

Research local travel before you go

If you plan to explore your holiday destination, find out about local tourist attractions and transport methods before you go.

Search on Google or TripAdvisor for reviews of holiday attractions, activities, nightlife, and shopping for ideas. (Travel guidebooks can also offer valuable local knowledge)

There you have it! Some of our top travel hacks and travel tips 2022 that can help you on your next trip.

Related read:

What’s Going On? All Trending Travel Questions Answered!

BONUS

2021/2022 Travel trends you need to know about

It’s safe to say that the pandemic prevented us from travelling as much as we would like to. We are now more than ready to explore since there is a boom in travel on the horizon.

There is excitement rolling up as travellers prepare to make up for the lost time. However, recent studies show a profound change in how future holidays are shaping.

Staycations

Multi-generational travel

Group travel

Cruises

Wellness retreats

Nostalgic travel

Off-the-beaten-track travel

If you are planning to get out there once again, this guide of our top travel hacks and travel tips 2022 will surely help you out! If you need more information, please give us a call or drop us a line, and our travel experts at Travel Center will be glad to assist you.

Read More:- Top travel hacks and travel tips 2022: Are you ready to travel?

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright):- Travel Center UK Blog

#Travel #Travel Center UK #Traveller #Travelling #Holiday Makers #Travel Blog #Travel Blogger #Travel Tips #Travel Hacks

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burningsoulpainter · 3 years

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Best way to Flight Booking Hacks For Finding Cheapest Tickets

People spend a large portion of their travel budget only on flight tickets. But is there any way to get a flight ticket at the cheapest price? Yes! There are some ways. Let's go through some of the clever flight booking tips that will help you in finding the cheapest way to book flight tickets. Try to get the early-hour flights of the day as the tickets are comparatively less costly for morning flights. Another benefit of early hour flight is less commute time as there will be fewer cars and vehicles on the road so less chance of traffic congestion. Don't just stick to a famous website and book your ticket. Instead, expand your research and look for the flights on different websites and offers provided by them. By comparing the total fare you can book open flight ticket online at the lowest price. Booking a cheap flight ticket is not a difficult task if you know how to do it. Using these hacks you can save a fortune. You can visit MyMoneySeva, the cheapest flight ticket booking website that provides low-budget air tickets. You always get the cheapest price with the best in the industry. So you get the best deal every time you visit MyMoneySeva.

#cheapest flight ticket booking website #flight booking domestic India cheapest #cheapest way to book flight tickets #book open flight ticket online

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backpackeress · 5 years

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How to travel on a budget?

Today I want to take time and answer a question I am asked quite frequently: How am I able to afford travelling the world?

Well, let me tell you that I do recommend to save up a little money even if just to keep it as a prudent reserve while you are on the road having fun. One never knows what can happen while we are out exploring and let‘s get serious here for a minute – safety first, guys!

While you are backpacking around the globe there are however several life-hacks on how to safe money that are worth knowing and that I was able to learn through my own wandering.

1.) Do your research, know your stuff – hacks on flights & visas ✈

Saving money starts early on with booking a flight and applying for your visas. You do not need a travel agency to book your flights for you. There are countless websites out there allowing you to book online from your couch. Some of them even offering you to make up your own route so you don‘t have to fly back from the same country you arrived in.

Make sure to always use the ‘incognito window’ when browsing for flights as websites will be able to know what flight prices you have been shown before by using their cookies. Also, flight prices are at their lowest when you fly in and out on a Wednesday and if you book on a Thursday around midnight. One of the best websites to check for the cheapest offers out there is skyscanner. If you found and offer for a direct flight (where you don’t have to change the airline) it can also pay off to book the flight on the airlines website directly as you can save up on commission.

As for visas, depending on where you are going and what passport you hold it might not be necessary to get a visa in advance. If you are looking to get ETA (Canada) or ESTA (USA) make sure to only apply for these visas on the official government website and don’t let yourself be tricked into buying over an agency. Current prices (2019) should be a maximum of $7 for ETA and $14 for ESTA. If you are traveling in central or south America as well as south east Asia you do not have to get visas for every country in advance just make sure you have one for the country you are flying into. Crossing the borders from one country to another in south east Asia (exception for China) and central/south America is usually quite easy going and all you need is your passport and a couple of spare passport photos of yourself to put on the forms. You usually won’t have any problems crossing the borders on both plane or bus.

2.) Save money on accommodation

Finding the right hostel is usually an easy business. Countless platforms offer millions of options for cheap backpacker hostel’s around the globe. Trust me, I must know, I run one. I personally mostly use booking.com as they offer the best conditions for customers when it comes to flexibility of modifying or terms of cancellation. If you already know where you are heading and are certain your plans won’t change it is worth booking the non-refundable rate as it is usually 10% cheaper than the standard rate but as the name suggests, you cannot cancel your booking free of charge. Another little insider tip is to book on the hostel’s website directly (if there is one) as you can usually save up on booking commission that would be charged through a platform. Also, if you are intending to stay at the same place for a longer period (at least a week) it might be worthwhile to drop the hostel a direct message and ask for an offer and a reduction. Usually they are happy to give 10% off if you are staying longer and book directly.

If you are traveling as a group (at least 2 people) and also if you are traveling in areas such as south east Asia or south/central America it often is quite worthwhile to check out options on http://www.Airbnb.com. Apart from sometimes coming across rather unique accommodations (such as tree houses or igloos) you will often find double rooms for the same price as two bunks in a hostel and if you are traveling as a group you might even be able to rent an entire apartment for a really good price.

If you are an absolute low budget enthusiast you can check out couchsurfing, a social network where youngsters offer their couch or a spare room to travelers for free. Or, especially if you are travelling in warm countries, you might want to bring your tent or a hammock. Many hostels in warmer regions are used to people just paying to use the shower rooms while they set up their tents in the garden or yard.

3.) Get around cheap

When in Rome do as the Romans do. This also goes for getting around. Avoid tourist traps by taking the local bus (in comparison: crossing the border from Costa Rica to Nicaragua cost us about 3,50 $ on the local bus and would have been around $50 on the official bus bookable online). However, in countries where you have to cover hundreds of miles it might pay off to book tickets online and in advance. Buses are generally cheaper than trains. Affordable long distance companies would for example be Tiki bus (all of south and central America) or Greyhound (USA, Canada, Oz).

If you do not know how to start finding any options to get from A to B check out www.rome2rio.com. Some countries, such as Australia or New Zealand also tend to have a very organized backpacking-community and it is easy to hitch a ride with someone leaving a hostel to go see a national park or drive to another city. If you are staying long term it is always worth checking out the notice board in hostels to find a ride to share or just boldly ask around in the common room (yes, it actually works).

4.) Working abroad

Whether you are able to acquire a working visa or not there is always a way to find work abroad.

Workaway & WWOOFING: Both Workaway and WWOOFING (=working on organic farms for free) are online portals that allow you to connect with people around the world in order to find work in exchange for accommodation and sometimes a little pocket money. Unfortunately, both platforms require you to pay a fee, it is however worth investing if you are intending to stay in a country for a longer time and therefore need to look after your finances. Workaway requires an annual fee of around 35 EUR and enables you to surf profiles of users worldwide while WWOOFING gives you the opportunity to buy a list of addresses of farmers of a specific country. None of the jobs offered on such platforms should require any particular work experience nor a working permit as you are not getting paid. However, some individuals might still require the applicants to hold a work and holiday visa nevertheless so make sure to talk this through with a possible host in advance. Workaways are not only a nice way to save up on some money but are also often quit an experience in itself, whether you end up planting trees, saving turtles or working on a ranch or in a surf camp, they can be worthwhile just for the experience itself.

If you want to take a gap year it might be of interest to check out whether your country is allowed to apply for a ‘work & holiday visa’. Such visas give you both a one year permission to stay as well as a permit to work. Personally, I applied for this when I was staying in Australia and New Zealand. It was a great way to afford travelling for a year. With a ‘work and holiday visa’ you are able to apply for any workaways as well as every regular paid job and you pay taxes like everyone else (so make sure to apply for a tax return before heading home).

In countries that are used to seeing a great amount of working backpackers you are able to find work via notice boards in Hostels, through platforms such as ‘gumtree’ or in case of Australia, by calling the national fruit picking hotline. As countries like Australia rely on backpackers for most of their farm work it is super easy to get placed at a farm in need of more hands by ringing up the hotline within a few days.

If you feel I have left out on some information or you want to add some more travel-life-hacks please leave a comment and until then, happy wandering, folks!

#travel #travelonabudget #travelhacks #wanderlust #gapyear #workaway #workingabroad #globetrotter #travelblog #travelcheap #lifehacks #seetheworld #backpacking #viajar #reisen #auslandsjahr

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soysudan6 · 2 years

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How to Find Cheap Flights: A blog on how to find cheap flights and the best ways to do so. Since this is a service, the blog will feature 'how-to' and discussion posts.

1. Intro Spirit Airlines is the largest U.S. carrier to launch a low-cost carrier with nonstop flights to its destinations. Spirit’s fares are also among the lowest in the U.S., and in some cases, the lowest in the world, including flights to many of Spirit’s international destinations. 2. Finding Spirit airline Flight Cancellation allows you to search for flights by price, transaction history (APR), and distance. I love KAYAK because it makes it easier to find the best deal on your next flight: You can quickly see what all of your favorite travel sites are offering — and how much they are charging for their flights. KAYAK also allows you to narrow down specific searches, like finding your favorite travel destination, or the cheapest flight from your city to the destination you want to go. Just click on a country and then click on “Travels” in the top left menu for more options. And if you’re not familiar with KAYAK, I suggest that you start by downloading the app from iTunes. Once you’ve downloaded it, launch it and sign in with your KAYAK account. 3. Booking the Flights Spirit Airlines is the best way to fly to America, Europe, and Asia. It's a low-cost airline with no fees or restrictions. You can book your airfare online and pay ahead of time. Being a low-cost airline, Spirit Airlines has very few restrictions on its fares and can be booked with any credit card. The only restriction is that you must be at least 18 years old to travel with them. 4. Travel Tips & Hacks for Cheaper Plane Tickets "Cheap flights are not always easy to find. But if you follow a few simple rules, you'll be sure to save money, time and frustration." "The most common way to find cheap flights is by searching for flight deals on KAYAK.com." 5. Conclusion Spirit Airlines is a low-cost airline that started its operations in 2006. The company had its first success when it was named the “Best Low Cost Airline” by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine in 2007. Since then, Spirit Airlines has grown quickly, and managed to become the largest low cost airline in the world with a fleet of more than 300 planes. Its headquarters are located at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. Spirit Airlines offers flights from more than 70 domestic cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It currently flies to over 60 destinations in 20 countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia and Mexico; and Alaska (inbound) and British Columbia (outbound) from Vancouver International Airport in Canada.

#Spirit Airlines Official Website- New Bookings

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coolsmartflyer-blog · 5 years

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If you fall under the bracket of lazy and procrastinators, then let us help you making all the boring but necessary parts of travelling easier for you. Here is a list of travel tips for lazy people:

DO NOT UNPACK

Yes, we know you might think we are crazy. But hear us out and you will know exactly what we are talking about. The things that you need only while you are on a plane or travelling somewhere, should be stashed in your suitcase, even when it`s at home. You can leave your neck pillow, adapter and travel-kit of toiletries inside your bag only, so that when next time you have to pack, you don`t rummage around home to find them.

USE FARE COMPARISON SITES

Checking out more than 50 travel sites and local agents is a huge task. Lots of time and efforts are involved in it. So if you are looking to get best fares, then use a travel comparison site like Smart Flyer. Smart Flyer will give you the cheapest flight options by comparing thousands of travel sites and airlines in just one click.

ENTER LAST, EXIT LAST!

No! We definitely don`t want you to miss your flight. All we are saying is that instead of nudging people or elbowing your fellow travelers, it is a perfect idea to sit and relax at the gate. This will give you some time to send few important work mails, while everyone else struggle to enter first.

When your flight lands and it is time to get down from the plane; relax in your seat, while other flyers stand in the aisle for twenty minutes trying to deplane. But make sure that you attempt this only when you are in a window seat, otherwise, you might be delaying those who genuinely are in a rush. Use this travel tip and you can thank us later!

CREATE A PACKING LIST

There are few things in our packing suitcase that go everywhere with us. For instance, toothbrush, facewash, body wash, moisturizer, sanitizer, slippers and other essentials. So make a list of these general things and click a picture of it so that you can have a look at it whenever you required. You may have to swap out few things, but that is bearable and you will know exactly what you need to pack. Tested and tried travel tips make your journey fail-proof, especially for lazy people.

USE ROOM SERVICE

Most of the people think that the room services are costlier as compared to dining-out. But, the fact to be told, the prices are almost the same. The menu is same and there is only a little difference when it comes to prices. So for the lazy bums, use room service, if you are too tired to go out and dine out. A travel tip that never fails!

HOP ON- HOP OFF!

If you feel you are not the adventurous types, then always go for hop-on, hop-off bus services that lets you explore the city without having to make much efforts, that too at your own pace. It will save you time and money in a foreign country, and least to mention, your EFFORTS!

So all those lazy birds who really don`t like to move a finger, must try out these travel tips. These hacks will help you do the maximum things with minimum efforts. Before booking tickets, compare it at Smart Flyer, where you can get the cheapest and lowest airfares after comparing more than thousands travel websites. Visit www.smartflyer.co.uk now!

#best holidays packages #holiday packages #family holiday packages #international holiday packages #holiday tour packages #Book discounted flight tickets #flights booking at lowest airfares #top travel destinations #best travel destinations #best holiday destinations #holiday destinations #best travel sites #top holiday destinations #best vacation spots

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toldnews-blog · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/lifestyle/airline-booking-hacks-what-works-and-what-might-get-you-in-trouble/

Airline booking hacks: What works, and what might get you in trouble

Finding the lowest airfare has become a favorite frugal pastime, and there are websites to help you nail down cheap fares. Some strategies, however, are dicey. (Alex Citrin/The New York Times)

Elaine Glusac

(Frugal Traveler)

Between bargain-shopping travelers and airlines flashing ephemeral prices, searching for the lowest airfares can feel like a game of cat and mouse. Sometimes, the game carries real-world risks, including the recent news that Lufthansa is suing a passenger whom the airline contends intentionally skipped a flight leg using a largely prohibited budget-booking practice known as hidden city.

Bargain hunting has led to a rise in cheap travel websites and rules of thumb for booking, such as flying at off-peak times and on slower days.

“People would like a simple rule, but in practice, there isn’t a single day or time to buy,” said Patrick Surry, chief data scientist for Hopper, an airfare prediction app. Factors most impacting airfares, he said, are “the day you travel, how long you stay and the airport you’re flying.” How far in advance you book can also determine the price you pay.

Airfares reflect the adage that time is money; for bargain-hunters, the less money you spend, the more time you’re likely to spend in the airport. Hopper found that fliers can save 5 per cent on airfares by changing from direct to one-stop fares, and 2 per cent above that for moving from a one- to a two-stop ticket. Of course, those non-direct fares will mean spending more time stuck in airports. Long layovers will also save you money: A layover of more than 12 hours means an average of a 6-per cent savings on your airfare.

Having flexibility in travel is one sure way to get the best fare. Many search engines, including Kayak and Hopper, allow users to register for price-alert tracking that recommends whether to buy now or wait for future price drops. The app HitList allows users to track a route with unspecified dates or lengths of travel.

Other booking ploys, surveyed below, may or may not get you into trouble with the airlines.

— Hidden city fares

Hidden city fares are one-way tickets through a connecting city where passengers intentionally stay in the layover city. For example, a flier from New York City to San Francisco may find it cheaper to book a one-stop flight to Seattle connecting through San Francisco, disembark there and not take the last leg to Seattle. The practice is known as skiplagging.

Finding these fares required a lot of scattershot searching and knowledge of airline competition until the website Skiplagged.com automated it in 2013. Its founder, Aktarer Zaman, was sued for deception by United Airlines and the online travel agency Orbitz in 2015, but that lawsuit was dismissed based on jurisdiction, and the website is still going strong.

Clearly, airlines don’t like skiplagging, which prevents them from selling the empty seat. Delta, United and American now explicitly ban exploiting fare rules in their contracts of carriage. For example, American Airlines states that “reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare and ticket rules are strictly prohibited.” This includes purchasing a ticket “without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city).”

Some also argue the practice is unethical. “For every dollar someone scams, and I do think it’s a scam, that dollar is going to be placed back into the airfare structure of the airlines that everyone else pays,” said George Hobica, the founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, a site that monitors airfare deals.

Zaman looks at the practice differently. “When you go to the store and buy a bag of chips, is it unethical to finish only half of it?” Zaman said. He notes that Skiplagged.com is for the average American flyer — who flies two times a year, according to the trade association Airlines for America — not for someone who intends to book hidden city routes often.

“Our mission is to make it easier to experience the world,” Zaman added. “We make flying more accessible, so we’re fighting against price discrimination and the way airlines try to take advantage of everybody.”

Some airlines would beg to disagree. In the recent Lufthansa litigation, the airline sued a passenger, claiming a contract violation when he skipped the last leg of his flight on a one-stop ticket from Seattle to Oslo via Frankfurt. The airline’s conditions of carriage stipulate that a fare is only valid if flown in the booked order (the order of flights listed in the itinerary), according to a spokeswoman for Lufthansa.

— Hacker fares

Many flight hacks are termed hacker fares, but Kayak popularised the term used in its search results on round-trip queries to show two one-way tickets, often on competing airlines, at rock-bottom prices.

For example, a recent search for fares from Chicago to Los Angeles turned up nonstop round trips on United from $321, versus $275 with an outbound on Delta and a return on American. Round-trip prices for the same itinerary turned up fares of $372 on Delta and $312 on American, both more expensive than that $275 combination of two one-way fares.

“Hacker fares are what Kayak does to discover cheapness, but also more diversity in results in terms of flight schedules,” Giorgos Zacharia, the chief technology officer at Kayak, said. “Domestically, if you fly out with one airline and return with a different one, you can create a lot of savings.”

Other search engines will also show one-way ticketing results for savings. Skyscanner, for example, calls them mash-ups. In most cases, fliers must click out of the search engines and into booking ones — either an online travel agency or the airline itself — and make the two bookings in quick succession to ensure the deal doesn’t disappear.

— Resident fares

Sometimes a ticket purchased from within a foreign country costs less than the same airfare in the United States. That’s because airlines price their flights based on competitive factors in local markets, including the wealth of consumers and their willingness to fly.

Airline search engines can tell where you reside based on your computer’s internet Protocol or IP address. Users can mask that address by subscribing to a VPN or Virtual Private Network, which allows you to search anonymously (plans at NordVPN, one provider, start at $2.99 a month). Some travel strategists believe this works.

From my own experiment comparing search results for international flights using a VPN and an internet address in Chicago, I got mixed results. Using the VPN, Air China asked me to identify my country and language, and then gave me the same $739 search result for a flight between San Francisco and Beijing that I found when using my office computer. However, when I searched for internal flights in a foreign country — flights between Buenos Aires, for example, and Bariloche in Argentina — I found the same itinerary for $302 on my office computer in Chicago versus $249 (after converting from pesos) using the VPN (in this instance, one would want to buy any foreign ticket using a credit card without exchange fees).

VPNs are legal in the United States. Though often associated with dark uses of the web, they can also protect you when using free public Wi-Fi.

An easier approach may be to use a foreign travel agent. Tierra Hotels, which operates lodges in Chile’s Atacama Desert, Patagonia and Lakes regions, often refers North American guests to the Santiago-based travel agency Cocha for flights from the capital to its properties. Cocha recently found round-trip tickets between Santiago and Punta Arenas in Patagonia for $262 versus results I received searching Latam Airlines from my office in Chicago at $324.

— Open-jaw tickets

Open-jaw tickets, often called multi-stop bookings on airline sites, are for round-trip flights that arrive at one destination and leave from another. For example, you may wish to fly from New York to London, then take the Eurostar train to continental Europe and later fly back home from Paris.

Open jaws can save you money, especially on international itineraries as one-way flights outside the United States are often costly. Most airlines and search engines offer multi-stop search options, making the practice easy.

Better yet, use open-jaw fares to expand your airport searches to get more results. While both are London airports, flying into Heathrow and back from Gatwick, for example, is technically an open-jaw booking. To ensure you get results from all possible combinations, search using a generic destination like London or an option for any airport in the area rather than a specific airport, bearing in mind that budget airlines often use secondary airports.

A recent search for flights between London and Paris, cities with multiple airports, turned up a round-trip fare of $182 on British Airways, flying from London City Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and returning to Heathrow, versus $197 on an Air France flight between Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle. One of the cheapest fares was on the low-cost carrier easyJet: $170 round trip, from Charles de Gaulle to Heathrow, and back to Paris from London Southend Airport.

The Takeaway

HIDDEN CITY FARES Most airlines prohibit exploiting these pricing loopholes, though few have prosecuted.

HACKER FARES Another term for two one-way tickets and perfectly legal.

RESIDENT FARES Masking your computer’s address to get fares reserved for local residents may not be illegal but it is technically complex. Try using a foreign travel agent.

OPEN-JAW TICKETS A good approach for surveying itinerary and pricing options.

#cheap flight fare #cheap flight money #flight cost #flight fare #indian express #indian express news

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safaritravelsindia · 1 year

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"Unlocking Affordable Travel: Secrets to Finding Cheap Domestic and International Flight Tickets"

Dreaming of jetting off to exotic destinations without breaking the bank? We’ve got your back! In this blog post, we will reveal the secrets to finding cheap domestic and international flight tickets, enabling you to travel more while spending less. Plan ahead and be flexible: Planning your trip well in advance can help you secure the best deals. Airlines often release their flight schedules and…

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#Affordable Travel #Book Cheapest Flight Ticket #Cheapest Flight Ticket Booking Tricks #Domestic Flight Booking #International Flight Booking #Lowest Flight Ticket Booking Hacks #Secrets to finding Cheap Domestic Flights

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mytravelbay-blog · 6 years

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TRAVEL HACKS: Low Airfare Tips & Tricks!

youtube

It’s time to share one of my favorite travel hacks! And it’s all about where to find cheap flights, how to score cheap airline tickets and how you can use any of these tips to even grab last minute airfare at an affordable price! So here are a bunch of my low airfare tips & tricks! ↓↓↓↓ CLICK SHOW MORE ↓↓↓↓

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel here: It’s free! I’ve got a lot of other Travel Tip Videos coming in the future, since I couldn’t fit them all in this one video.

PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

Travelzoo: If you aren’t already on their VIP email list, sign up here: It comes out every Wednesday and is an email I actually sit around and wait for when I am looking for an awesome travel deal.

Fly.com: Use their FARE CALENDAR to search for the lowest dates to fly.

HitList App: Just search for it on your phone and download it! Tell it the places in the world you want to fly to and your hometown. It will notify you when any amazing deals pop up! My Tip? Be ready to book right when you get the heads up. The flights sell out fast!

Skiplagged.com: Enter in your destination city. This website will find flights that go PAST your destination city, but allow you to get off the flight during one of the layover stops. It’s genius!

Google Flights: Just search for it on Google. You can check out a chart to see lowest and highest prices for each destination throughout the year. It will even tell you which days will save you extra money if you are willing to fly out or come back a day or two earlier.

MOST of the Furniture & Decor from this video is actually from IKEA! No joke! They have lots of sales going on right now. Plus, sign up for IKEA Family and get exclusive offers sent to your email:

Want to “Live the Ultimate Life for Less”?? Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my channel by clicking here ➞ ➞ That way, YouTube will let you know when my next video goes up live! (Don’t worry, it’s free!)

For more deals & money-saving tips and tricks, visit my full site at No matter WHEN you visit, you will find crazy deals and freebies available for THAT day. It’s the easiest way to always save money.

FOLLOW ME:

Instagram ➜

Periscope ➜ for LIVE Videos: @Freebies2Deals

Facebook ➜

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Twitter ➜

Tune-In Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am MST (9am PST, 11am CST, 12pm EST) to watch a new video!

XO,

Melea The next post was originally seen on TRAVEL HACKS: Low Airfare Tips & Tricks! and is courtesy of My Travel Bay. Read more on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVQn3B3HTA

The post TRAVEL HACKS: Low Airfare Tips & Tricks! appeared first on My Travel Bay.

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tamboradventure · 4 years

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5 Myths About Booking a Flight that You Need to Ignore

Posted: 6/1/2020 | June 1st, 2020

Let’s talk about cheap flights. We all know airlines are out to screw us over — and no one wants to be the person who gets stuck paying the highest fare. That’s why we spend hours upon hours in front of the computer, researching articles on airfare, and trying to game the system like we’re attempting to outsmart a used car salesman.

I’ve written about finding a cheap flight before — and even my process for booking a flight — but today I want to talk about some persistent and inaccurate myths about booking a flight that have stuck around through simple inertia and lazy journalism.

There’s a lot of articles out there that will list “secret hacks” that will save you thousands. “If you book a flight on a Tuesday during a blood moon while standing on one leg, you’ll get the cheapest flight possible!” Ok, that’s an exaggeration but I read a lot of articles that are straight-up inaccurate and outdated that, today, I want to explain which “rules” are straight-up lies so you don’t follow them, save hours of time, and still end up with a cheap flight!

MYTH #1: You Should Search Incognito

This is the worst myth of them all. It makes sense. We all know that every company in the world uses cookies to track our online habits. So why wouldn’t airlines track us? There’s a belief that airlines are watching our browsing habits and then raising ticket prices when they see us looking at the same route(s) over and over again.

Lots of websites will tell you to use a browser’s “incognito mode” to avoid this. Turn them off, stop being tracked, and trick the system, right?

Except this is not true at all.

There’s no evidence that airlines behave that way and numerous studies by booking companies have shown there is no variance in pricing when you use incognito mode.

And, typically, when you abandon your cart, businesses discount prices to get you to complete your purchase not raise them higher.

According to Scott of Scott’s Cheap Flights, one of the most popular bargain-flight websites,

“There’s no evidence that airlines are showing you a different price based on your cookies. We are mistaking airfare volatility for a Truman Show–esque interpretation that the airlines are out to raise fares on us. Airfare is constantly changing, often by the hour if not by the minute these days. When a flight you’re looking at goes up in price, there’s a temptation to think that it’s because of your cookies, but Occam’s razor is that the price went up because airfare is constantly changing.”

They searched the same Denver to London flight 100 times in a row, and on the first search and the hundredth search, the price stayed exactly the same.

Another study by CheapAir found the same thing.

The average economy fare changes 61 times each day. Airlines use sophisticated software to change prices based on demand. Additionally, they put their inventory not just on their own website but also on hundreds of third-party websites so millions of people are looking at the same flights at any given moment. The system is constantly updating itself based on ticket sales and demand.

After all, there are only so many seats on a plane. You just can’t add more!

That’s why prices change.

Searching in incognito mode is simply not going to help you find a cheaper flight.

MYTH #2: It’s Better to Book on a Tuesday

Back in the day, most airlines used to drop flight deals on Tuesdays and that would lead to other airlines following suit. Thus the old adage to book on Tuesdays.

But Hopper, a popular cheap-flight app, analyzed the data and found that only 1.6% of flights were cheaper on a Tuesday.

These days, as I mentioned above, airlines use dynamic pricing and artificial intelligence to constantly change their pricing. The algorithms consider a variety of factors: historical and current demand, seasons, weather, particular events, etc.

According to Scott,

“Some websites still claim there is a single predictable time each week when fares are cheapest. When airfare was first sold online, airlines and online travel agencies would often load their fares just once a week, say, Tuesday at 2pm. There were a limited number of the cheapest fares available, and so if you were one of the first people to book right after the new fares were loaded, you really could get a great deal. Nowadays airfare is changing by the hour if not by the minute, driven less by humans plugging in fares each week and more by complex computer algorithms.”

So there’s no “best day to book.” Waiting for a Tuesday likely won’t save you any money.

Book your flight on whatever day you want.

Myth #3: There is a Perfect Time to Book

Airfares don’t actually change that dramatically. Until about 21 days before a flight, they are pretty steady. I remember talking to the Google Flights team once and they found there’s only typically a $50 difference between the highest and lowest price point.

That doesn’t mean it couldn’t swing more radically. As I said, airlines change prices based on a lot of factors. Sometimes that $50 swing could be $100 or $200 — but, barring an event that drives up demand, airfares tend to be in a narrow range up to 21 days before a flight.

After that, thanks to antiquated rules, the system thinks that a “last-minute” flight — three weeks away or less — must mean a business traveler and so fares rise. (So never book less than 21 days before leaving!)

Generally speaking, the best time to book a flight is about 2-3 months ahead. Why?

Most people book about 2-3 months before they go away. If you’re a family going on vacation, you don’t just do it on a whim. You take time off work and plan months in advance. So airlines know that and about 2-3 months before a trip is generally when prices reach equilibrium between supply and demand.

MYTH #4: Websites Can Predict Prices

Websites that predict prices are just taking an educated guess based on historical pricing. Don’t put too much stock in these predictions. The past is not prologue and a spike in demand or a concert or other event can change the price of a ticket outside its historical range.

I like the price meter on Google Flights because it lets me know the general historic price range of this fare. But any website that says “wait to book because prices are going to go down” is full of shit.

Airfare is incredibly volatile. There are a limited number of seats on planes and dozens of variables — from overall economic conditions to the price of oil to competition from new budget airlines to the difficulty of predicting travel interest for a specific flight 11 months from now. No one knows what the future holds. The recent pandemic is proof that modeling the future doesn’t work.

These websites have no idea what future airfare will be and are just guessing.

As Scott echoes:

“It’s important to distinguish between when is cheapest to travel and when is cheapest to book. We know a lot about when it’s typically cheapest to travel: January through March and September through November. That’s not to say there are never cheap flights in June. Think of it like an NBA game: just because one team is favored doesn’t mean there’s never an upset. This is all to say that anyone who claims to have cracked the code and be able to predict with certainty whether a flight six months from now will go up or down in price is doing you a disservice.”

MYTH #5: There is One Best Booking Website

Why do you see prices vary from website to website? Third-party websites often buy tickets in bulk and the prices depend a lot on what booking class they’ve purchased (usually they buy the cheapest and most restive fares which is why those flights are always unchangeable). Plus, again, thousands of people could be booking at once and so as the cheaper seats go, the prices go up!

That’s why, while I love Skyscanner and Momondo, I check lots of other websites before I actually book.

But, while I love them, remember: there is no single best website out there for flights.

Prices vary among all these platforms. That’s why you have to search multiple websites and meta-search engines.

There’s no single best booking website, only the best one at the time of booking.

***

Any article that claims to show you the “secret” to cheap airfare is probably too good to be true — because if it worked so well, airlines would have put an end to it a long time ago. You can’t outsmart the airlines. You can only bend the system to your advantage.

There’s simply no magic bullet to finding cheap airfare.

As much as we all want there to be one.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use — and they’ll save you time and money too!

The post 5 Myths About Booking a Flight that You Need to Ignore appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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burningsoulpainter · 3 years

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Secrets to Book Cheap Flight Tickets Revealed

We have to spend a large share of our travel budget only on flight tickets. But the question is - is there any way to get a flight ticket at the cheapest price? Yes! There are some ways. Let's go through some of the secrets to find flight booking tips that will help you in finding the best cheapest flight booking site. Try to get the morning flights as the tickets are comparatively less costly for morning flights. Another advantage of early hour flight is less commute time as there will be fewer cars and vehicles on the road so less chance of traffic congestion. Don't just stick to a famous website and book your ticket. Instead, expand your research and look for the flights on different websites and offers provided by them. By comparing the total fare you can flight tickets on the cheapest domestic flight booking website at the lowest price. Booking a cheap flight ticket is not a difficult task if you know how to do it. Using these hacks you can save a fortune. You can visit MyMoneySeva,ranked among the top 10 cheapest flight booking websites in India that provides low-budget air tickets. You always get the cheapest price with the best in the industry. So you get the best deal every time you visit MyMoneySeva.

#best cheapest flight booking site #cheapest domestic flight booking website #top 10 cheapest flight booking websites in India

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businessliveme · 5 years

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Five Backdoor Hacks to Win Elite Status at Hotels and Airlines

(Bloomberg) – First-class and suite upgrades. Club-lounge entry. Access to priority services. The perks of elite status are harder and harder to come by as airlines and hotels continue to evolve their loyalty programs.

Many airlines have instituted both flight and spending requirements that can annually top 125,000 miles and $15,000 in airfare purchases. Likewise, several major hotel loyalty programs have implemented more stringent stay requirements to reach the highest strata of status, thinning the ranks of elites even further.

However, just because it seems more difficult does not mean it actually is. In fact, it might be easier than ever to achieve a lofty level of status, thanks to unique partnerships among airlines, hotels, and credit cards—and knowledge of the right strategies to use them to advantage. Here’s how.

Tactic: Airline-Hotel Alliances

Frequent travelers can leverage elite status they already earn with a hotel or airline into elite status with its partner, all with little or no additional effort.

One of the newest of these affiliations is between American Airlines and Hyatt. Now travelers who have elite status with either the airline or the hotel can earn frequent-flier miles and hotel points on both flights and stays.

“As we talked to our elite members in particular, the ability to earn points when flying and miles when staying, in addition to the respective program benefits, was something that we heard loud and clear,” says Amy Weinberg, World of Hyatt senior vice president. “The new partnership is a way to offer more rewards throughout the travel journey.”

Hyatt elites at the mid- and top-range Explorist and Globalist levels are also being offered 90-day grace periods of American Airlines AAdvantage elite status, plus the chance to extend this status through January 2021 by completing “challenges.” These deals involve flying a certain number of miles or segments and spending a predetermined amount of money on airfare within 90 days, rather than having to complete the normal requirements over the course of a calendar year.

AAdvantage’s invitation-only ConciergeKey elites are being offered outright Globalist Hyatt status, which comes with benefits such as free breakfast during stays, club-lounge access, points bonuses, and dedicated customer service. AAdvantage elites at other levels have been extended trial periods of Hyatt status and offers to earn ongoing status, based on stay activity within a 90-day period.

RewardsPlus is a similar link-up between Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus. The hotel program’s Titanium and Ambassador elites receive automatic United Premier Silver status, the airline’s lowest level, which is usually achieved by flying 25,000 miles or 30 segments and spending $3,000 on airfare in a year; perks include free checked bags, seven miles per dollar earned on airfare instead of the normal five, priority service at the airport, and access to Economy Plus seating at check-in. United elites with Premier Gold status or higher, meanwhile, enjoy complimentary Marriot Gold elite status. That usually requires staying 25 nights in a year, and includes such benefits as a decent shot at room upgrades and check-in points bonuses.

Tactic: Automatic Status With a Hotel Credit Card

These days, most hotel credit cards grant at least a basic level of elite status to those who simply carry a specific product in their wallets.

For example, instead of having to stay 10 nights or more each year, folks with the World of Hyatt credit card ($95 annual fee) receive entry-level Discoverist status in that program. The IHG Rewards Club Premier credit card ($89 annual fee) confers mid-tier Platinum status without the need to stay 40 nights in IHG properties each year.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card from Chase ($95 annual fee) and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant from American Express ($450 annual fee) both include automatic Gold status. Those with the Brilliant version can also climb up to Platinum status (normally achieved by hitting 50-plus nights each year) by spending $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.

With the launch of a new range of credit cards in 2018, Hilton even began offering its top-tier Diamond status as a benefit of the $450-per-year Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. It’s the only hotel credit card at the moment to offer top-tier status automatically. However, folks with the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend, whose annual fee is a mere $95, can spend their way up from automatic gold status to diamond by making $40,000 or more in purchases in a calendar year. Diamond status usually requires 30 stays or 60 nights a year and confers perks such as a 100% earning bonus on Hilton purchases (for 20 points per dollar vs. the normal 10), complimentary breakfast at all hotels, executive lounge access, and the chance to give elite status to another Hilton Honors member.

Tactic: Spending Bonuses With an Airline Credit Card

When it comes to airlines, the credit-card elite-status formula depends more on spending.

For example, Delta fields two cards that allow consumers to earn Medallion-Qualification Miles (MQMs), which count toward elite status, through both sign-up bonuses and everyday spending. The Platinum Delta SkyMiles American Express card ($195 annual fee) has offered as many as 10,000 MQMs, along with SkyMiles (miles you can use for award tickets), as part of its sign-up bonus. Cardholders can rack up an additional 20,000 MQMs by spending $50,000 on the card in a calendar year. The relatively more premium Delta Reserve card ($450 annual fee), which gets cardholders into Delta Sky Clubs when flying the airline, has offered sign-up bonuses that include up to 10,000 MQMs, along with bonus SkyMiles. Cardholders can earn as many as an additional 30,000 MQMs by spending up to $60,000 in a calendar year.

The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard ($450 annual fee) includes perks such as Admirals Club membership for lounge access at the airport. However, its most valuable benefit, for some, might be the opportunity to earn 10,000 elite-qualifying miles after spending $40,000 in purchases each year—just the bump certain fliers need to hit the next level of status.

JetBlue Plus cardholders ($99 annual fee), meanwhile, can attain the airline’s Mosaic status for a year after they spend at least $50,000 on purchases annually. Mosaic status typically requires earning 15,000 flight points (equivalent to spending $5,000 on airfare), or flying 30 segments and earning 12,000 flight points within a calendar year. Mosaic benefits include waived change and cancellation fees, additional bonus points for airfare purchases, priority treatment at the airport, and the opportunity to redeem points for Even More Space seats at a discount.

Tactic: Unbranded Card Programs

Apart from airline or hotel-specific credit cards, the product with perhaps the most lucrative elite-status potential is the Platinum Card from American Express. Cardmembers can enroll for automatic Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. That makes the Platinum Card an especially attractive prospect for premium travelers (its annual fee is $550, after all) who want to split their loyalty between two of the biggest chains in the world, without having to commit to one program or the other.

The FoundersCard, meanwhile, is a membership club with around 30,000 members, rather than a credit card. Designed for entrepreneurs who travel frequently, its benefits evolve over the course of each year and have included Hilton Honors Gold status, Caesars Total Rewards Diamond status, and a trial period of Marriott Gold status in the past, as well as outright Silver status with Cathay Pacific. Joining up costs $95, and the annual membership fee is $595, though discounts are easy to find online or through individual member referrals. Further benefits may include deals on certain airline partners such as British Airways and JetBlue, as well as on rentals from Silvercar and purchases at AT&T Wireless and UPS.

Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Tactic: Tap Your Corporate Travel Department

Just as you earn frequent-flier miles when on a business trip, businesses can also earn different types of points, based on spending with American Airlines, Delta, and United—points that can be redeemed for elite status, club passes, award flights, and upgrades for employees.

With American Airlines’ Business Extra program, for example, companies can redeem 3,200 points (equivalent to spending $16,000 on airfares) to confer AAdvantage Gold status on an employee. Delta Silver Medallion status requires 120,000 Delta SkyBonus points (equivalent to spending more than $4,000), depending on fares).

Hotel chains also reward travel planners who book meetings at their properties. For instance, through Hyatt’s Meeting & Events program, members who book 3, 10, or 20 meetings can earn Discoverist, Explorist, or Globalist status, respectively. With IHG Business Rewards, bookers can earn three points per dollar spent on accommodations, meetings, and events for participants. That means they can earn the program’s top-level Spire Elite status by spending just $25,000 on events.

Corporate travel planners and departments often do sufficient business with specific airlines and hotels that they are given complimentary elite statuses to bestow upon company employees. While these are typically reserved for senior executives or frequent travelers, employees can always check with company travel departments to determine whether they might be able to claim an unassigned status.

The post Five Backdoor Hacks to Win Elite Status at Hotels and Airlines appeared first on Businessliveme.com.

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mikebrackett · 5 years

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Expert Travelers Share Their Best Money-Saving Travel Hacks

If you’re someone who loves to travel, then you know it can be expensive. From the cost of food to accommodation expenses, it adds up quickly. If you’re wondering how to make the most out of your next adventure, here are some of the best money-saving travel hacks straight from the mouths of seasoned travel experts.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Plans

The more flexible you are with your travel plans, the easier it will be to find discounts and deals.

“Rather than selecting the destination and figuring out what it will cost, look for a bargain. I traveled to India when I found an outrageous special on Jetsetter.com,” says Janice S. Lintz, a consumer education and travel writer and a non-practicing attorney.

If you don’t have your heart set on a destination, sites like Skyscanner allow you to type in “everywhere” to your flight search and find the best rates by destination. Using this search option will give you an idea of the travel cost associated with each location.

Do Your Research

When traveling, it’s important to research not only transportation and accommodations, but also visa entry requirements, cultural norms, number of pages you need in your passport, travel warnings, local embassy contact information and more. You can find a lot of this information on the Travel page at the U.S. Department of State‘s website.

Even the savviest travelers can forget to read up on the countries they’re visiting. Having minimal knowledge of the place you’re visiting could leave you in a sticky situation and cost you a lot more than your budget allows.

Set Up Price Alerts

Setting up price alerts can help you monitor price fluctuations affecting your bookings. Sites like Kayak and Travelocity allow you to set up price alerts to keep an eye on the flights you’re interested in booking.

“If flying, start with Google Flights. It’s a wonderful tool to find the best flights at the lowest price. Flexibility is the key to finding the best fares,” says Jen Hayes, founder of Smarty Pants Finance.

Having an open mind about travel dates, airlines and airports can cut fares by hundreds of dollars. Many booking sites allow you to search one-way flights so you can get a low one-way fare, too.

For example, if you’re traveling to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, you might want to research the airports available in the surrounding area, like LaGuardia Airport. LaGuardia might offer cheaper one-way fares, so you don’t have to buy a more expensive round-trip ticket out of JFK. Purchasing one-way tickets could end up saving you money.

Develop a Credit Card Reward Strategy to Maximize Your Miles

Sean Messier, credit industry analyst at Credit Card Insider, advises, “If you’re a frequent traveler with no brand preference when it comes to airlines or hotels, seek out a general travel credit card that provides a variety of perks.”

Try to find a travel rewards credit card that offers benefits like complimentary delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, lost luggage protection and maybe even airport lounge access. Some credit cards even let you transfer earned points to different airlines or hotels. This can be helpful when you’re always on the go.

If you’re loyal to one airline or hotel brand, try to find a co-branded credit card. You generally will receive a higher reward rate for purchasing with these specific brands.

Catch the Local Transit Everywhere You Go

Chizoba Anyaoha is the founder of TravSolo, a travel app that helps you create your itinerary on-the-go and update your travel blog easily.

“Using public transportation is by far the best way to really save. It may not always be the most reliable but at least you will have more money to spend for food, drinks and activities,” recommends Anyaoha.

This is a great opportunity to relax, enjoy the scenery and even make new friends. However, you will need to factor in the additional time it will take to get from point A to point B. If you find yourself feeling unsafe, it may be wise to spend a few extra bucks on a cab.

Carefully Select Your Accommodations

Similar to buying a house or renting an apartment, travel accommodation options come with their own sets of pros and cons. You can choose from hotels, hostels and apartment rentals, or you can opt for couch surfing and house sitting. While hotels may be more expensive, they offer privacy and quiet. Hostels are more economical, and they can provide a social environment and the opportunity to meet other travelers.

“Another option to strongly consider is an Airbnb rental, where you get the privacy you need combined with the option to hang out with the local who rented you a room, if they are free to do so,” Anyaoha adds.

Every traveler is searching for a unique experience. You must determine what accommodation requirements are most important to you when jaunting around the world. If you’re up for an adventure you may want to try to split your time between multiple accommodation options to add variety to your trip’s dynamic.

Travel Light

Jennifer Fontaine is the managing editor of Outdoor Families Magazine and she’s a family adventure travel expert.

“Invest in a regulation carry-on and pack light. This will save precious time, both at check-in and when you arrive at your destination, and eliminates any chance of lost luggage, so you have less to stress about,” suggests Fontaine.

Packing light can also save you a lot of money. Some airlines offer free carry-on accommodations. Check your airline’s luggage policy before you book your flight to ensure you can bring your carry-on free of charge.

Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

While you’re busy planning your itinerary, you could overlook the possibility of illness. This might not be a big deal if you’re traveling domestically, but if you’re venturing abroad you may want to have a plan in place just in case you contract something.

“Prior to traveling, I suggest travelers do their homework on their destination, read up on any recent health outbreaks, and make an appointment with their nearest travel medicine location to get appropriate shots or medications,” recommends Suzanne Garber, Health-Tech co-founder.

To protect yourself against additional costs, you can consider purchasing travel insurance as well. Not only does travel insurance help pay for medical costs, it also offers trip coverage for interruptions, lost or delayed baggage, theft, service provider failures and much more. Before purchasing a policy, make sure your credit card company doesn’t offer complimentary travel insurance. This will save you some money and stress.

“I recommend evaluating the risks of the travel destination, the planned activities and your personal health situation. Travel insurance is not always a necessity and, in many cases, you’ll get quality care that’s much more affordable than what you’d pay with co-pays back home,” adds Garber.

You may find that the cost of care outside the U.S. is less expensive – even without insurance. However, taking preventive measures may be one of the most cost-effective methods if you want to avoid extra medical costs.

The Bottom Line

Take it from these seasoned travel experts: Saving money when traveling is simple with a little research and flexibility.

What are some of your money-saving hacks? We want to hear from you! Please leave your answers in the comments below.

The post Expert Travelers Share Their Best Money-Saving Travel Hacks appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

from Updates About Loans https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/expert-travelers-share-their-best-money-saving-travel-hacks

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aaronsniderus · 5 years

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Expert Travelers Share Their Best Money-Saving Travel Hacks

Be Flexible with Your Travel Plans

The more flexible you are with your travel plans, the easier it will be to find discounts and deals.

Do Your Research

Set Up Price Alerts

Having an open mind about travel dates, airlines and airports can cut fares by hundreds of dollars. Many booking sites allow you to search one-way flights so you can get a low one-way fare, too.

Develop a Credit Card Reward Strategy to Maximize Your Miles

If you’re loyal to one airline or hotel brand, try to find a co-branded credit card. You generally will receive a higher reward rate for purchasing with these specific brands.

Catch the Local Transit Everywhere You Go

Chizoba Anyaoha is the founder of TravSolo, a travel app that helps you create your itinerary on-the-go and update your travel blog easily.

Carefully Select Your Accommodations

Travel Light

Jennifer Fontaine is the managing editor of Outdoor Families Magazine and she’s a family adventure travel expert.

Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance

The Bottom Line

Take it from these seasoned travel experts: Saving money when traveling is simple with a little research and flexibility.

What are some of your money-saving hacks? We want to hear from you! Please leave your answers in the comments below.

The post Expert Travelers Share Their Best Money-Saving Travel Hacks appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

from Updates About Loans https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/expert-travelers-share-their-best-money-saving-travel-hacks

0 notes