| Do you know that some people travel around the | | | | You'll save a lot by choosing your departure and |
| country and abroad, for both business and pleasure, | | | | arrival dates this way! |
| and save bundles of money in the process? | | | | 5. Buying a one way or split ticket. |
| They do that by using little known ways of really | | | | Let's say you travel from Boston to Dallas. It may be |
| taking advantage of the most popular form of | | | | cheaper to get two separate tickets. You could buy |
| transportation - airline flights. | | | | one ticket from Boston to Nashville and one from |
| They don't rely on the ever-famous "airfare | | | | Nashville to Dallas. |
| price-wars". They don't rely on their travel agents to | | | | It all depends on the connecting cities and your |
| save money while flying. | | | | airlines hubs. Just tell your agent you are willing to |
| Certainly, you should not dismiss these two methods. | | | | travel out of other airports and connect using regional |
| The price-wars can work to your advantage. But | | | | airports to save money. |
| depending on them too much is a big mistake. | | | | 6. Open wide. |
| 1. Call the airlines. | | | | You should look into what is called an "Open-Jaw" |
| Call the airlines between midnight and 1 a.m. Monday | | | | ticket. These are used when a traveler is arriving and |
| through Friday to get cheaper tickets. | | | | departing from different cities. |
| Most people never realize that at midnight, airline | | | | One ticket is purchased to cover both cities. Check |
| agents revise and load new fares into their | | | | with your travel agent or airline representative to see |
| computers. The best fares are just after they have | | | | if this trick is available instead of two one-way |
| done the updating! | | | | tickets. Compare the price of each. |
| 2. Check into other airports other than the main one | | | | 7. An excellent online service |
| you use. | | | | You enter destinations and dates and SideStep |
| Many major cities have two airports. Check into | | | | quickly searches a couple of dozen affiliated regional |
| surrounding towns and cities so you can compare | | | | and international airlines to find the best rates. |
| airfares. You may save hundreds of dollars on your | | | | 8. "Code share". |
| flights. | | | | Ask your agent if this flight is a "code-share" flight. |
| 3. The early bird catches the plane. | | | | That means the same flight is offered by two |
| The earlier you book your flight the more you save. | | | | different airlines. Just copy down the name of the |
| Most special fares have restrictions of 7 to 30 day | | | | other airline and check into what they are charging. |
| advance purchase. Usually non-refundable but they | | | | Only one of the airlines is actually operating the flight. |
| can offer deep discounts. | | | | The actual operator always offers this flight for less, |
| On the other hand, there are "last minute" deals too. | | | | so book with them. |
| Visit to get emails for last minute deals. | | | | 9. Sign up for the airline newsletters. |
| 4. Get out of town on Wednesday. | | | | From weekend getaways to international flight |
| Mid-week travel is usually less expensive. If you leave | | | | packages the newsletter saves you money on travel |
| on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and stay over | | | | and doesn't require that you constantly visit the |
| a Saturday night, you can garner terrific savings | | | | airline website for the latest offering. |
| compared to Friday through Monday when most | | | | 10. The airlines often slash their fares during sluggish |
| people fly. | | | | travel times. |
| Start taking your vacations | | | | Scan your travel sections in the newspapers and talk |
| Wednesday-to-Wednesday or Tuesday-to-Tuesday. | | | | to your agent about these low fares. |