One great way to begin your budget travel is to get free flights (without collecting frequent flier miles) is to get yourself bumped off of the flight that you are booked on. Yes, that means that you won’t get your current flight for free, but you can get a free travel ticket to use for a later date.
You may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped. So try to follow these guidelines to increase your chances of a free flights or budget travel.
- Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped. Select one of the first or earlier flights. So if you are successful in getting bumped, you will still be able to get on a later flight and still get to your travel destination.
- Always ask if the flight is overbooked. Call your travel agent the night before to ask. On the day of the flight, ask the gate agent if the flight is overbooked and tell him/her that you volunteer to be bumped.
- Always get a schedule that includes all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
- Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Being the first in line will increase your chances, especially if you are the first few (or better yet, the first) on the list of volunteers to be bumped.
- Before you agree to be bumped, ensure that the airline will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation. Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, make sure you are holding a confirmed/guaranteed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight.
- If there are no guaranteed seats on the next flight of your choice, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another airline. Use the flight schedule and select an alternative flight and airline.
- If you have to wait more than two hours for the next flight, ask the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines have these vouchers, but they may not offer them without being asked.
- If you get bumped from your next free flight, you may just get another free ticket. Well, it may be a little inconvenient but if you want free or budget travel, you will need to be more flexible with your timing.
- There are some regulations, but each airline has its own bumping and compensation policy. Bumping policies may also be different for international flights. Make sure you ask before volunteering to be bumped.
Archive for the ‘Budget Travel’ Category
Get Yourself Bumped & Get Free Flights On Your Next Budget Travel
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010Budget Travel With Cruise Ship
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010For many people, a cruise ship can be the ultimate budget travel destination. A cruise provides a great, one price, vacation, and one of the main attractions to booking a cruise is that just about everything is included in the price.
As a matter of fact, in some cases the daily cost of a cruise can be less than the daily cost of a decent hotel room. When you consider that the price of the cruise includes not only the room, but all the food and entertainment as well, it is easy to see why cruises are so popular with budget minded travelers.
Of course, there are some things that are typically not included in a cruise package, and it is important to find out what is included and what will need to be paid for as an extra.
For instance, most cruises do not include alcohol, and require passengers to pay their bar tab upon departure. In addition, most shore excursions and local sightseeing is not included, so it is important to get a detailed list of such excursions, including the price.
In addition, since advertised cruise prices are based on double occupancy, cruises are often less of a deal for solo travelers, since the single supplements can add quite a bit to the price of the cruise.
It is always a good idea to inquire about special single rates if you are traveling alone.
The location of the cabin is another important consideration when booking a cruise. The interior cabins on the lower parts of the ship are generally the least costly, while the higher, larger cabins with ocean views are the most expensive.
If you have never taken a cruise before, it is a good idea to get advice from those who have experienced cruising.
These people can provide valuable insight on the best balance of cost and comfort for your first cruise experience.
As with other kinds of travel, getting the best deal on a cruise will take some time, some planning, some perseverance and plenty of shopping around.
It is a good idea to shop as early as possible, particularly for popular destinations like the Caribbean or Mexico in the high season.
Of course, it is possible to save money by traveling in the off season, and this can often be a great strategy. For instance, even though it is the middle of the winter and most people are not thinking about vacations where you are, it may be warm and inviting in many tropical cruise destinations.
It is important, however to check out the local weather, and to avoid the rainy season in the destinations you are considering. Steering clear of hurricanes, tropical downpours and other weather problems can help you get the most out of your cruise.
It is not always necessary to shop early, of course. Cruise lines have been know to offer some spectacular discounts at the last minute in order to move unsold cabins or avoid leaving with a less than full passenger load.
There are many last minute travel newsletters that provide details on these types of cruise deals, and these last minute travel deals are a big hit with retirees and others with the time to see the world.
Safety Tips for Budget Travelers in Foreign Countries
Monday, August 16th, 2010There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Secure travel insurance!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.
7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Lock your luggage and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
www.stuartstravel.com