To get the cheapest flights, you need to know exactly where and when you want to fly. If you are unsure about the specific details of where and when you want to go, there is a different mechanism for finding the cheapest flights, as you can afford to be more flexible. Similarly separating search engines into those which are most relevant to long and short haul will allow for more tailored searching.
The era of cheap air travel may be coming to an end. The rise in fuel costs have meant the costs for airlines have dramatically increased, with this rise in price having to be passed onto the passengers. The affect of the rising fuel prices was clearly seen towards the end of August, when Canadian budget airline Zoom went bankrupt.
However there are still loads of cheap deals out there, you just need to try and find the best deals. This section has advice on how to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.
Search Engines
If you know exactly where and when you want to fly, there are numerous search engines which you can use to find the best flight deal. Use as many as you can to ensure you are getting the best deal, as they all have slightly different commercial relationships, affecting the end price which you will pay.
- Travelsupermarket.com – One of the leading websites for searching for flights and holidays.
- Foundem.co.uk – Deemed as the most sophisticated search engine. Price shown is the actual price (no hidden fees)
- Kelkoo.co.uk - Searches flights, hotels and holidays
- Travelocity.com – Good starting point providing details of why certain flights are so expensive, with other users commenting on their exceptional customer service
- Kayak.co.uk – Not a travel booking site, directs you to the cheapest price
- Studentflights.co.uk – Travel agent specialising in all areas of travel with the aim of finding the lowest price for students
- Momondo.com
- Mobissimo.com
If you are planning to travel on a long haul flight make use of the flight-booker websites as they are ‘special’ search engines which have commercial relationships with big name airlines:
- Expedia.co.uk – It claims to be the biggest flight-broker website in the UK, offering 450 flights. It offers many long haul flights and allows multi-destination journey searches.
- Greenbee.com – Has slightly different offers available which may be cheaper than Expedia.
- Opodo.co.uk – This is jointly owned by nine different European airlines enabling them to undercut certain flight prices on popular routes
- Travelocity.co.uk - This website is often excluded from search engines but has many exclusive deals. Double check after using other comparison sites.
- Ebookers.com - Operates online travel companies across Europe, enabling competitive rates for both Europe and further afield
- Lastminute.com – Good website if you are looking for a package of hotel and flight, or flight and car
- Airlinenetwork.co.uk – An independent travel agent who has many competitive offers for long-haul flights
- Try American websites such as cheapseats.com , lowestfare.com and discountairfares.com ~ if you plan to fly within America, booking once you arrive
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Other Tips and Tricks
- Contact the companies direct – look at their website to see if there are any up and coming seat sales.
- Charter flights are specially arranged flights which are scheduled by the travel agents to meet demand during peak times – i.e. over school summer holidays. Sometimes they also have special offers to ensure that planes are flying at full capacity – check flightsdirect.com
- If you are very tall or have special dietary requirements have a look to see if you are using the airline which best meets your needs - seatguru.com , airlinequality.com , flighstats.com and airlinemeals.net all have information.
- Easyjet.co.uk and ryanair.co.uk are some of the more well known budget carriers. Check their website for details of special offers and “free” seat give away promotions which they run.
- Priceline.com is a reverse auction website where you decide how much you are willing to pay for a flight. The software then searches for an airline willing to release a seat to you at your chosen price. If a flight is found your credit-card is billed – so you must be certain before you make a decision. Priceline will issue a suggested price for the flight but other users have reported success with undercutting the given price by 30%. The decision about your flight will be given in an hour.
Saving at the airport
Food & Drink
Take your own to the airport. Although you cannot take drinks through security there is nothing to stop you taking an empty bottle through and filling it up at the other side.
Duty Free
To ensure duty free is really as good as promised research your prices before you go. Sometimes shopping at your arrival can be cheaper than shopping in the airport.
Airport Travel
Don’t assume special “airport tariffs” will be the cheapest, they can actually be more expensive. Consider using public transport if possible, you can investigate before you go on the airport website.
Parking
Alternative means of transport will be much cheaper than the airport. Purpleparking.co.uk will have information on special cheap parking offers nationwide.
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Getting a Free Flight Upgrade
There is no guarantee of getting an upgrade on your flight, but why not try?
Follow these hints and tips for some ideas to make sure you turn left instead of right when getting on the plane. You are more likely to have success for long-haul or transatlantic flights than for short journeys.
- Be polite and friendly – not demanding of the airline staff
- Be subtle and discreet – ask, when checking in, if there are any seats available elsewhere on the plane, or if there are any aisle seats next to a window?
- Arrive early and dress smartly
- Don’t fly during business hours
- Fly by yourself – get rid of your family or friends to increase the likelihood of moving to first class
- Tell staff if your are celebrating an important event to increase the likelihood (i.e. Graduation, 21st or 18th)
- If you are a newly qualified doctor make sure you include that as your title
- Remember there are four classes of flights – economy, premium economy, business and first class. Only aim to increase by one class.
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Compensation For Delayed and Cancelled Flights
If your flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked, you can claim compensation. However, making a claim is not straightforward. The compensation you can claim depends on the length of your flight and the delay you experience.
If the flight is delayed
You are entitled to €250 – €650. All charter and scheduled flights including budget flights. All international and domestic flights departing from any airport in the EU are covered.
If the flight is overbooked
You are entitled to a full refund, a seat on an alternative flight or flight back to your departing airport
You are also entitled to refreshments, a meal, hotel accommodation (if appropriate) and have access to free communication (e.g. phone and internet)
If the flight is cancelled
If the cancelation is the airline’s fault, they must compensate you within 7 days
If theywarn you 2 weeks in advance and offer you an alternative flight, no compensation will be given
You are also entitled to refreshments, a meal, hotel accommodation (if appropriate) and have access to free communication (e.g. phone and internet)
All of the above is dependent on the airline having some element of control resulting in the delay, overbooking or cancellation. If the reason for any of the above is due to circumstances out with of the airlines control – i.e. bad weather, strikes, security or terrorism – then there is no need for compensation in any form.
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