How fair is the Fare?

In the past few months the price of fuel has affected the travel industry, from fuel supplements to higher fares, no one is left un-touched. For a minute lets look at some ideas, that just might help you have a great vacation or trip without killing your budget.

Air Fare: In recent days we have seen the cost of air fare climb faster than a 757 out of Philadelphia, when we quote air ticket prices people just can not believe that now they are paying fares for coach that used to be first class! A few simple rules apply to get the best fare. We often get people in the office who want to go tomorrow or next week and can't understand WHY the fares are so high. Unfortunately the law of supply and demand comes into play here. Airlines are forming loose partnerships, such as you may have a United Airline Flight number but be on a U.S. Airways plane, or visa versa. The goal, FILL THE SEATS! In my recent travels that certainly seems to be the case on mainline routes.

Flexible travel dates: Our advice to find the least expensive, notice the wording here, make your travel plans flexible, if you can leave or come back a day or two earlier or later you might save a few hundred dollars. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible, not even the airlines can predict what the fare will be in 6 months, so by making your travel plans early, you will probably save money. The downside, is that most airline tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE, meaning you bought it, you got it! If you want to change your ticket, most times you can, BUT with a fairly substantial cost involved.

Fly on off days, Tuesdays and Thursdays are a good choice, they are not usually business travel days so the fares may be a little less, supply and demand, and more availabilities. Consider flying to a major airport rather than a regional one. The hub and spoke system the airlines use created a system of "feeder" or airlines. Because they are serving smaller airports, with less passenger load and no competition, they charge more. A good example is that I can book a flight to say New York for a lot less than one to a smaller airport such as Elmira, N.Y.

Fly to a "Hub" airport: Consider flying to a hub airport near your destination and rent a car, in a lot of cases you will be able to do that cheaper than if you fly to a smaller airport. You might even be able to arrive at your destination hours earlier, rather than sitting waiting for the sparse service connections to a smaller airport. Recently coming back from Pennsylvania I spent 7 hours in Philadelphia International because my originating flight was delayed because the aircraft from the regional carrier , Piedmont, was grounded. The regional airline uses the last inbound plane of the day for its first outbound in the morning. What amazed me the most was that in the 8 hours between times it seemed no one could figure out, "hey we need to get another plane in for our morning flight."

Pack light: I travel with a wheeled duffle bag, that one is checked, and a so called "California Pack" like a back pack with wheels that is my carry on. If you are going on a long trip and need more than one checked bag, consider using a luggage service, to pick up your bags from your home and deliver it to your destination. While I am on the subject of packing, don't forget to check with your travel agent or airline on the latest rules for checked and carry on luggage. Most airlines will allow one checked bag (usual maximum weight of 50 lbs.) and one carry on as well as one personal item. Medical equipment such as portable oxygen a wheel chair or CPAP does not usually count as a personal item. Toiletries? 3 ounces or less, in a one quart closeable plastic bag. On my most recent flight the T.S.A. officer at the regional airport gave me "grief' about my plastic bag. I pointed out to him that in the 2 years I have used it I never had had a problem or question and in fact it was issued at the security checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor as was stampped "courtesy of Sky Harbor Airport." He said, "no matter, it was not right." Yes I did file a complaint with the regional airport and the T.S.A. about the lack of consistancy in rules and the attitude of this employee.

The joy of flying? No such thing, crowded airplanes, long lines, high fares, charges for aisle and window seats, second and sometimes first bag, fuel surcharges, makes me feel like a head of cattle in a chute. Are there exceptions to the above? Yes, a few airlines still maintain customer service and treat you like a customer, they un-fortunately are few and far between. Wilber and Orville didn't forsee this I am sure!