Let the Airline Pick Up the Tab

How can you fly from point A to point B without ever opening your wallet? You've got to know your way around an airline.

The easiest way to fly free is to get yourself bumped.

Airlines typically overbook their flights by 10% to 30%, knowing that a certain number of paying passengers will not show up for one reason or another. Sometimes, though, their calculations are off, and they're faced with 200 seats and 205 passengers, five of whom are likely to become very annoyed unless something is done in a hurry.

That's where you come in. You made a reservation on that flight, because you knew it was very overbooked. And you are standing at the end the check-in line, observing airline officials asthey realize their predicament. So, you step out of line, find an airline representative, and offer to be bumped from the flight. You're doing the airline a favor -- and in return, it will do you the favor
of allowing you to fly to your destination free on the next plane out. What's more, the airline will put cash in your pocket for your trouble. (The amount varies, depending on the airline and the circumstances.)

The Frequent Flyer Story

Many airlines offer frequent flyer programs that allow passengers to accumulate points every time they take a trip with that airline, and then redeem them in the form of free tickets to selected destinations. You have to fly a lot of miles to win any free trips, but for the business traveler, this is an easy way to arrange free travel.

The main problem with Frequent Flyer programs is that they change their rules or become discontinued altogether faster than you can say, "I'd like a round-trip ticket to Cabos San Lucas, please." The best way to get up-to-date information is to contact the airlines themselves.

If you know you won't travel enough in any given year to accumulate enough points as a Frequent Flyer to earn a free trip, you can still take advantage of Frequent Flyer miles. Coupon brokers buy these Frequent Flyer awards and resell them to the public at very low prices. Coupons are especially good deals if you want to fly first or business class or if you will be flying a very long distance. Generally, you must wait five to six weeks to get the coupon issued in your name.

But you must be careful when dealing with coupon brokers. Airlines are not fond of what coupon brokers are doing and are on the lookout for tickets purchased from them. For the past several years, airlines have been confiscating tickets issued by coupon brokers and leaving the ticket buyers stranded at boarding gates all over the world.

It is not illegal for coupon brokers to operate in most countries, but it is illegal in some. It is, however, against the airlines' rules in all countries, which prohibit the sale of Frequent Flyer coupons.

But if you're willing to take the risks, you will be rewarded with a very cheap airline ticket. You will usually find coupon brokers advertising in the travel classified advertising of major Sunday newspapers around the world.

Eight Ways To Save on Airfare

by Lucy Lazarony

Shop online. Many airlines will slash an additional 10 percent off ticket prices to customers who purchase tickets on the Web. One way to keep track of last-minute sales is by signing up for e-mail alerts from airlines with major hubs in your area.

Fly off-peak days. Cut air fare costs by traveling off-peak days such as Saturday and Tuesday through Thursday and buying your tickets in advance.

Shop around. Check for online specials from individual airlines and then visit sites such as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Bestfares.com and Smarterliving.com.

Check out non-sale prices as well. The sale price on an airline ticket is not always the lowest price available. You may be able to find a lower price on a non-sale ticket from another airline. Be sure to check.

Ask about taxes and fees. Whatever ticket price you're quoted, make sure it includes taxes and fees. They can bump up a ticket price by $100 or more. Some ads for low fares don't include taxes and fees.

Consider consolidators. Consolidators such as Hotwire.com, Onetravel.com and Lowestfare.com offer some of the lowest fares around, but shop carefully. Tickets from consolidators have a lot more restrictions, including travel dates.

Be flexible. When planning your trip, it's best to be as flexible as possible. Folks with flexible travel dates and destinations tend to scoop up the best bargains. They're willing to fly any carrier at any time of day from any airport in their area. Folks with a fixed travel schedule and a fixed destination may have a tougher time landing a good deal. To get the best deal possible, be sure to check prices on flights from two or more airports in your area.

Check out package deals. A package deal might give you airline tickets, hotel accommodations and a rental car for your dream destination at an unbelievable price. Or it might not. Be sure to compare package deals with prices you could get on your own.