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 ‘Flights’
Budget Travel With Charter Flights
Friday, April 22nd, 2011Budget Travel – Getting Free Flights
Thursday, September 9th, 2010One of the most popular strategies for budget traveling is to make what is traditionally one of the most expensive parts of travel the airfare free.
One great way to score free flights without tediously collecting frequent flier miles is to get yourself bumped off of the flight on which you are booked.
While getting bumped won’t make your current flight free, it will traditionally score you a free ticket you can use at a later date of your choosing.
Getting bumped is such a popular money saving strategy that there is a definite art and science behind it. Remember that you may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped. It is important to follow the guidelines listed below to increase your chances.
- Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped. For instance, you may want to choose one of the first flights of the day, knowing that you will be able to get on a later flight after you are bumped and still reach your destination.
- Always ask if the flight is overbooked. It may be a good idea to call your travel agent the night before the scheduled flight to inquire. Always ask the gate agent if the flight is overbooked as soon as you arrive and let him or her know you will volunteer to be bumped.
- Always back a flight schedule for your departure and destination airport. Be sure to get a schedule that includes all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
- Always arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Try to be the first one in the check in line. Being the first in line will ensure that you are the first on the list of volunteers to be bumped.
- Before you agree to be bumped, be sure that the airline will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation. Individual airline policies vary, so be sure you know what is being offered.
- Some airlines offer vouchers in $100 increments, according to the time you must wait for another flight. For instance, a one hour wait entitles you to a $100 voucher, two hours means you get $200, etc.
- Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, let the gate agent know that you need to be sure of your arrangements for your current flight. Always make sure you are holding a confirmed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight before signing the agreement and accepting the free ticket.
- Tell the gate agent that you want a guaranteed, confirmed reservation on the next flight to your destination.
- If there are no guaranteed seats available on the next flight, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another airline.
- Use the flight schedule you packed to choose an alternative flight and airline.
- If the wait for the next flight exceeds two hours, ask the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines make these vouchers available, but they do not always offer them without being asked.
- If you get bumped from your next flight, you could score another free ticket. It pays to be flexible any time you are flying on a budget.
- Remember there are no hard and fast rules everyone must follow. There are some regulations, but each airline sets its own policy with regard to bumping policy and compensation.
- The bumping rules are generally different for international flights, so be sure to ask the airline about their policies before volunteering.
Get Yourself Bumped & Get Free Flights On Your Next Budget Travel
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010One 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.