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Do your homework when booking a flight - this means know as much about your planned trip as possible i.e. where you are travelling to and the rough dates of when you want to go. Also look into the different ways you can actually reach your destination.
Also spend some time looking into the Country and resort you are planning on travelling to, for example, in: |
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- Newspaper travel sections
- Guidebooks and their websites
- Your destination's tourist board website
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For instant unofficial information click to our Terminal Information guide of this website to find out which airlines fly from this airport!
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Before Booking Your Flight... |
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Ticket prices change almost every day so it is well worth doing as much research as possible. If you think the price you are currently considering is too high, shop around and try again tomorrow. Although with budget airline prices start off at the lowest to be offered and increase each day.
Have you check in the travel section of the papers, travel websites and have a look at teletext for special offers on flights? |
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To save potentially lots on your trip be prepared to be flexible. If you can travel on different dates, say a day or so before, or getting back a day or so later you could get a better deal.
Also, smaller regional airports can be cheaper to fly from too. Also, what many consider to be inconvenient hours - these flights can be cheaper too. |
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| If you are calling flight bookers or travel agents why not ask if they know of any up and coming deals that are not yet advertised. |
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| Nested Tickets |
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Try asking about, or considering, buying a nested tickets.
Nested tickets only work when a regular midweek fare is over twice the price of an excursion fare (includes a Saturday stopover) to the same destination.
For example, you have been quoted £150 for a flight from Heathrow to Belfast return going out on a Monday and coming back on the Friday of the same week but you can find a return that requires you to stay for a weekend and is priced £75 or less, it is worth buying a nested ticket.
A £75 excursion return ticket leaving on Monday, back late in the next week. You then buy another £75 excursion return ticket with the outgoing flight from Belfast on the Friday of your return to Heathrow. The return journey of this second ticket should be dated early in the next week.
By doing this you basically get two return flights for the price of one! And you nest the tickets with consideration of future travel dates in mind you can make use of all the tickets and save money. It is a little confusing but if you do the research then you are bound to get a cheaper deal. |
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| Split Tickets |
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Spilt tickets means that you break up your journey buy changing at an interim airport, instead of being on a direct flight. This can often save you money when booking a flight.
Most travel agent will be able to help you buy nested and split tickets. |
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| Budget Airlines |
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Budget airlines operate by offering their very best price as soon as they are released - around 6-9 months before the flight date, and then increase on a daily basis.
Even flights priced at £1 are subject to airport taxes and meals and refreshments are not included, so your flight might actually total at £20, which is still a great price but not the £1 advertised. |
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Delays& Increased Legroom ... |
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| Try and avoid any delays as best you can and try to get some extra leg room to make your flight more comfortable: |
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- Some airline such as Thomson allow you pre-book seats for a fee when buying a package holiday.
These supplements give you better in-flight meals and a bit more legroom.
www.thomson.co.uk
- Ask which kind of plane you'll be flying on so you can see if there are seat plans on the airline website and then see if you can be allocated a seat in advance of check-in.
- Flights leaving either first or last during the day are the least likely to be subject to delays.
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Upgrades are few and far between, however if your flight is over booked and you are asked if you would consider departing on another flight (normally on that's later that day, or the next) then ask for an upgrade. This is what's known as being 'bumped'.
Delays longer than several hours offer bumped passengers travel vouchers, cash or occasionally upgrades.
If the delay is less than a few hours you'll be offered food vouchers, and sometimes a temporary pass to the executive lounge. |
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Booking With Travel Agents... |
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If you book a flight with a travel agent then make sure you get a very good deal. They want your business as they will get paid a commission from the airlines to secure you as a passenger.
Make sure any vague promises of major airlines and quality hotels are confirmed before booking. And check any 'special deals' for expensive small print or catches. |
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| Booking Hints & Advice |
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- Ask your union or company if they can offer good deals through any travel partners they might have.
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- By booking holidays direct with the hotel and airline brochure prices for holidays can usually been beaten.
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- City breaks are perfect for booking directly so a good deal is almost certainly there for the taking.
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Sites like Expedia give unofficial information as to what airlines are flying where. Along with prices, dates and times.
Do make sure any sites you use are covered by Atol (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) and only use larger, reputable UK-based sites. Before inputting your credit card details check to see you have seen the padlock symbol on your browser to confirm you are entering a secure site.
email confirmations are sent when booking trips online. The law states that this email must confirm your Atol protection.
You could also try Priceline.co.uk to bid your own price for flights. Airlines sell tickets at around 20-30% lower but don't start your bidding at a very low price or it will just get rejected and you could miss out altogether.
Visit www.ukfrenzy.co.uk regularly for special offers by airlines.
Travel newsgroups share unofficial information on great deals on the market. Go to groups.google.com and start by searching for "rec.travel" or "rec.travel.air". If you have a question don't be scared to ask other users for advice because they will help you. |
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Travel Agents and Fare Searchers ... |
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| Try these travel agents for a good deal: |
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Travel Agents and Fare Searchers ... |
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| Here are some of the larger airlines who fly from the UK: |
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