Every international budget traveler, and many domestic budget travelers as well, will eventually be introduced to the idea of using chartered flights. Using charter flights has important advantages and some drawbacks to be aware of.
There is no doubt that airfare is one of the biggest expenses of any vacation. Airfare costs can easily represent at leas half of the total cost of a vacation, and if you do not get the best possible deal on airfare it is easy to go over budget.
One advantage of charter flights is that they can often allow a traveler to fly to a popular destination, like Europe, in the high season for a much lower cost than comparable commercial flights.
That is because commercial airlines generally greatly increase their airfares during the popular high season, due to the effects of supply and demand. During the high season, charter flights can often be much less expensive than those ion traditional airlines.
Another advantage of charter flights that many people are unaware of is that it is sometimes possible to upgrade to first class for very low prices.
Many travelers do not realize it, but charter planes do have first class sections. Since few people who can afford first class transatlantic flights fly on charter airlines, the first class section is often almost empty. Due to this disparity, it is often possible to upgrade to first class for very low prices.
When you check in for your charter flight, always be sure to ask if an upgrade to first class is available. These upgrades are almost always available, and the price can be as low as $50. This is an unheard of deal for a long transatlantic flight.
These price advantages, of course, often come with some associated drawbacks. One of the most significant disadvantages of many charter flight operators is that their level of customer service can be much worse than the major commercial air carriers.
From late opening ticket windows, to flight delays to luggage problem, many charter airlines have a bad reputation for customer service.
Fortunately, the internet has made the process of finding reliable charter airlines, and avoiding the bad ones, much easier.The many travel related web sites and newsgroups are great ways to learn about the various charter airlines that operate international flights, swap stories and tips with those who have been there, and of course to compare prices.
Posts Tagged ‘Budget’
Budget Travel With Charter Flights
Friday, April 22nd, 2011Packing Guide For Budget Travel
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011Packing properly is an important consideration for the budget traveler. Traveling on a budget means traveling light. The more unencumbered you are by junk you don’t need, the more chances you will have and the less expensive your travel will be.
For instance, while the traveler with only one bag is free to hop on the inexpensive city bus and pay as little as one dollar to get into town, if that same traveler is loaded down with three or four bulky suitcases, it is likely that an expensive taxi, and a potential fare of $50 or more, may be the only option.
This is just one example of how packing light can help you keep your travel budget under control, but there are many more examples, all borne of experience. In addition to saving money, traveling light makes sense on so many levels.
For one thing, you will enjoy your trip much more if you can just head straight out of the airport, without that long wait at the baggage claim.
Packing properly is an important consideration for the budget traveler. Traveling on a budget means traveling light. The more unencumbered you are by junk you don’t need, the more chances you will have and the less expensive your travel will be.
For instance, while the traveler with only one bag is free to hop on the inexpensive city bus and pay as little as one dollar to get into town, if that same traveler is loaded down with three or four bulky suitcases, it is likely that an expensive taxi, and a potential fare of $50 or more, may be the only option.
This is just one example of how packing light can help you keep your travel budget under control, but there are many more examples, all borne of experience. In addition to saving money, traveling light makes sense on so many levels.
For one thing, you will enjoy your trip much more if you can just head straight out of the airport, without that long wait at the baggage claim.
Traveling light also makes getting around town, from the airport and to the hotel, much easier. Carting a lot of luggage around unnecessarily is a waste of time, money and energy, and most seasoned travelers have learned not to pack too much.
Over packing, however, is a frequent mistake for the first time or inexperienced, traveler, and we are presenting the following list of tips for keeping your packing, and your budget, under control.
- As you are laying out all the things you want to take on your trip, separate them into three different piles the essential pile, the maybe pile and the non essential pile. Then put the non essential, and half of the maybe pile, back in the closet.
- If you possibly can, try to get everything that remains into one bag that can be carried on to the airplane. If you are unsure what constitutes a carry on bag, be sure to check with the airline.
- Do not pack any items that can be purchased inexpensively once you have reached your destination. Be sure, however to pack items that may be more expensive in a tourist area. One example of this, of course, is camera film. Film is often two or three times as costly in a tourist area, so if you have extra film at home bring it along.
- Keep the amount of clothing you pack to an absolute minimum. Choose clothes that can be combined into a variety of different outfits. Keeping the clothes you pack to a minimum is especially smart if you know you will be dong a lot of shopping, and buying a lot of clothes, once you arrive at your destination. Why cart your old clothes halfway around the world if you can wear your snazzy new clothes instead?
- If your vacation is a long one, do laundry while you are away instead of bringing a suitcase full of extra clothes.
- Always pack some versatile clothes. For instance, a pair of swim trunks or shorts can double as sleeping attire. T-shirts are equally versatile and comfortable.
- Pack a collapsible bag in your suitcase. This bag can be used to carry souvenirs and other purchases on the return trip.
- Be sure that all your luggage is clearly labeled with your contact information and name. Avoid putting your street address on luggage tags, however. It is best to use a post office box or a work address.
- Always place any items you need and cannot immediately replace, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and important documents, into your carryon or purse.
- Place all travel documents, maps and printed itineraries on the top of the suitcase, or in a separate zippered compartment, so they will be easy to find.
- If you have an extra pair of eyeglasses at home in a drawer, you may want to bring them along, especially if you need glasses to read signs, find your way around, etc.
- Pack them in a hard sided case and place them either in a purse or a separate compartment of the suitcase. Eyeglasses can be difficult, time consuming and expensive to replace while on vacation.
- And finally, consider packing an extra wallet, with one or two credit cards but no cash, into a separate compartment in your suitcase.
- The purpose of doing this is so you will have emergency funds in the event your regular wallet is lost or stolen. If the credit cards in the suitcase are lost or stolen, they can be cancelled immediately and you will not be liable for any fraudulent charges.
Over packing, however, is a frequent mistake for the first time or inexperienced, traveler, and we are presenting the following list of tips for keeping your packing, and your budget, under control.
- As you are laying out all the things you want to take on your trip, separate them into three different piles the essential pile, the maybe pile and the non essential pile. Then put the non essential, and half of the maybe pile, back in the closet.
- If you possibly can, try to get everything that remains into one bag that can be carried on to the airplane. If you are unsure what constitutes a carry on bag, be sure to check with the airline.
- Do not pack any items that can be purchased inexpensively once you have reached your destination. Be sure, however to pack items that may be more expensive in a tourist area. One example of this, of course, is camera film. Film is often two or three times as costly in a tourist area, so if you have extra film at home bring it along.
- Keep the amount of clothing you pack to an absolute minimum. Choose clothes that can be combined into a variety of different outfits. Keeping the clothes you pack to a minimum is especially smart if you know you will be dong a lot of shopping, and buying a lot of clothes, once you arrive at your destination. Why cart your old clothes halfway around the world if you can wear your snazzy new clothes instead?
- If your vacation is a long one, do laundry while you are away instead of bringing a suitcase full of extra clothes.
- Always pack some versatile clothes. For instance, a pair of swim trunks or shorts can double as sleeping attire. T-shirts are equally versatile and comfortable.
- Pack a collapsible bag in your suitcase. This bag can be used to carry souvenirs and other purchases on the return trip.
- Be sure that all your luggage is clearly labeled with your contact information and name. Avoid putting your street address on luggage tags, however. It is best to use a post office box or a work address.
- Always place any items you need and cannot immediately replace, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and important documents, into your carryon or purse.
- Place all travel documents, maps and printed itineraries on the top of the suitcase, or in a separate zippered compartment, so they will be easy to find.
- If you have an extra pair of eyeglasses at home in a drawer, you may want to bring them along, especially if you need glasses to read signs, find your way around, etc.
- Pack them in a hard sided case and place them either in a purse or a separate compartment of the suitcase. Eyeglasses can be difficult, time consuming and expensive to replace while on vacation.
- And finally, consider packing an extra wallet, with one or two credit cards but no cash, into a separate compartment in your suitcase.
- The purpose of doing this is so you will have emergency funds in the event your regular wallet is lost or stolen. If the credit cards in the suitcase are lost or stolen, they can be cancelled immediately and you will not be liable for any fraudulent charges.
Budget Travel With An RV or Motor Home
Friday, December 24th, 2010For many people, nothing compares to the freedom and versatility of enjoying the open road in a recreational vehicle or camper.
There is certainly much to be said for taking your hotel with you wherever you go, and the savings on hotel costs can more than pay for the initial cost of an RV.
One of the things that makes an RV so popular among budget travelers is that it frees travelers from many of the issues typically associated with sticking to a travel budget.
For instance, traveling with an RV frees the traveler from having to shop early for the best deals on airfare, hotels and rental cars. That’s because the RV serves as the hotel room, and as transportation as well.
Many seasoned travelers even buy a trailer which they use to tow their car, or even a pair of motorcycles, along behind them.
Of course, the RV lifestyle does have some considerations for the budget minded traveler, not the least of which is the price of gas to fuel it.
Most recreational vehicles hold a lot of gas or diesel fuel, and filling one up can result in sticker shock for many new owners. It is important to weigh the cost of fuel when determining if an RV is the right choice for you.
Traveling in a recreational vehicle or motor home is often a good choice for those who want to travel to different locations, and it may be less suited to those who visit the same location year after year.
As a matter of fact, many of those travelers who visit the same location every year find that the thing that suits their budget best is buying a vacation home.
Buying a vacation home, and renting it out when it is not being used, can be a good way to both save money on lodging and build equity for the future.
For those who want to travel the country, however, there are few things to compare to doing it in your own RV. Many RV owners come to love the freedom of the open road, and the money they save, so much that they end up hitting the road full time, traveling from RV park to RV park and enjoying the country from coast to coast.
One great budget saving tip that is well known in the RV community, but less well known among the general public is the fact that Wal-Mart’s from coast to coast allow RV owners to park for free on their lots.
That is why, when you visit your local Wal-Mart, you may have seen a number of RV’s parked near the edge of the lot.
This situation is a win for both parties RV owners have a safe, well lighted place to camp for the night, and Wal-Mart receives much needed income from those RV owners who frequent the store in the middle of the night to pick up those little things they either forgot to pack or used up along the way.