CHEAPO TRAVEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
HOWARD TIP FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND
FLY RIGHT
If you are booking really, really last minute, you'll want to be able to recognize what a good fare is.
Bill Miller of CheapOair.com advises signing up for fare alerts so you know what prices have been running in the markets you're interested in.
Cheapo.air.com also offers the following to keep in mind when traveling during the holidays:
It's the start of unpredictable winter storms, so buy travel insurance that can help you in various ways should you experience delays due to weather.
Arrive at the airport early, there will inevitably be long lines.
Store your travel agency and airline phone numbers in your cell phone so you have them handy in the event you need it.
Be prepared to check your bag if necessary; overhead bin space is valuable these days with airlines charging for checked bags and during the winter all those coats have to go somewhere. If you are one of the last ones on an airplane, you stand the chance of your bag having to be checked.
Check www.tsa.gov
If traveling with kids and your flight is longer than 2 hours, plan ahead of time with snacks - beforehand and to bring on board. You can buy food from the airlines onboard in most cases, but it can be expensive and not always the best selection, better to pack your own snacks ahead of time.
Christmas Day and New Years Day have usually produced really good airfares; sometimes Christmas Eve depending on what day of the week it falls.
You might end up paying a holiday surcharges, however. It could be anywhere from $10 to $50 per ticket for flying on heavy demand days.
Because airlines have reduced their domestic capacity so much over the last year they have the ability to keep airfares at good levels for them; not so good for consumers though.
For more information:
www.cheapoair.com
www.travelocity.com
www.kayak.com
www.aarp.org
www.expedia.com
www.smartfares.com
www.cheapestfares.com
