| There's some truth to the famed airline myth that | | | | available. Then keep looking. If you find something |
| savings come with restrictions, discomfort and | | | | cheaper, simply cancel the first ticket |
| stopovers, but only not everything. You can get | | | | 3) For internet bookings, consider purchasing the |
| reduced prices on tickets on reputable airlines with | | | | ticket on a Wednesday (when airlines offer special |
| direct flights as well. | | | | promotions), not on a weekend (when the prices |
| If you're not tied to one particular destination, you | | | | shoot back up). |
| should check prices on flights to the cheapest | | | | 4) Once you find a good deal, go directly to that |
| gateways in Europe. Start with London, Amsterdam | | | | airline's site to see if they're offering any other |
| and Paris, then try Rome, Milan, Madrid and Frankfurt. | | | | special promotions to places nearby that are even |
| Trying to begin your journey with a flight into say, | | | | cheaper. Or any frequent-flier bonuses. Strange as it |
| the Swiss Alps, isn't going to do much more than | | | | may seem, flights and prices can differ between |
| make your travel agent light up with dollar signs. If | | | | airlines' sites and the site where you originally spotted |
| prices are relatively equal, book with well-informed | | | | the flight. |
| travel agent and get their email address and phone | | | | 5) Keep in mind the cheapest flight tickets are often |
| number. The can point out things you never thought | | | | less direct, less conveniently scheduled and may |
| of (eg a flight that leaves at 6am, before there's any | | | | involve an airline you've never even heard of. It you |
| cheap transport running to the airport) and provide | | | | have more time than money, this is a fine way to |
| access to consolidator fares. Besides, it's nice to have | | | | grab a deal. |
| someone to contact in case you're in a jam. | | | | 6) Don't let your "frequent-flier" plan get in the way |
| But before you call an agent, do a little online | | | | of finding the best and the cheapest airline tickets. |
| checking on your own, so you'll know know a good | | | | First, look for the best deal, then if two or three |
| price when you see one. Start looking on the major | | | | offer similar fares, pick the one that fits into your |
| online booking engines and check out the lowest | | | | mileage plan. |
| published fares for a particular flight. Here are a few | | | | 7) If you don't live in a hub city, look for ads in the |
| tips that will help you keep down your flight costs: | | | | mainstream press in the nearest one to you, plus any |
| 1) Take an hour or two and try combinations of | | | | student newspapers or the free and alternative |
| dates into different cities (Amsterdam, London, | | | | newspapers in your area. If you find a great price, |
| Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan are good hubs) at | | | | but you've never heard of the company, buy with a |
| one or more of the online booking engines mentioned | | | | credit card so you can stop payment if need be. |
| above. Sometimes, just leaving a day later of flying | | | | 8) Consider an open-jaw ticket. These are |
| into adifferent city can make a difference of EUR125. | | | | two-one-way flights sold for half their round trip |
| in this sense, a little flexibility can translate into | | | | value, with an overland connection in between that |
| substantial savings. | | | | you provide. For example, instead of using two travel |
| 2) Often, the cheapest flight tickets are sold far in | | | | days to zip back to London to catch your flight |
| advance. Call a trusted travel agent and ask him/her | | | | home, you can buy an open-jaw ticket and fly back |
| to book the cheapest fully refundable flight ticket | | | | from, say, Rome. |