Travel More For Less

The money-losing airline industry is raising fares and adding fees as it struggles with record-high fuel prices. Many American travelers are opting for "staycations" by choosing not to travel when they have time off. But, as per the experts there are ways to escape the rising air travel costs. According to George Hobica, creator of the travel Web site airfarewatchdog.com - 'there are still many, many, many cheap tickets'. You can get a cheap plane ticket but you're going to need to be very flexible.

• Fly on the slowest days of the week

Tuesday and Wednesday are the slowest flying days of the week for business travel so demand is low, and so are the fares.

• Fly on slowest time of the year

If you really want some cheap fares, you should travel during the slowest time of year, says Hobica. That rules out holidays, as well as spring, summer and winter.

• Fly to popular places at unpopular times

Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons, suggests being completely flexible about the destination, based on the fare. "Check out the airline Web sites, and see what destinations they have on sale, then build your vacation around that destination".

• Buy tickets during cheapest times of the day

Airlines change fares three times a day and early birds snags the best deals. As per Hobica "Early morning is the time to buy." During weekends, check fares on Saturday morning and at 5p.m. when the airlines lowers prices to fill up flights.

• Why don't you buy a package

Travel packages offering cut-rate hotel stays and car rentals can save you a lot of money. "They're super bargains," he says. "Even if you don't need the rental car, you could just not pick it up, because the airfare is so cheap" - says Hobica.

How to Get a Free Airline Upgrade

Air travel can be very comfortable especially if you are traveling in the first class. But not every one of us can afford to enjoy the comfort and the luxury of a first class passenger, unless you get a free airline upgrade. Getting a free upgrade to first class or business class, sounds more of a fairytale yet it does happen! Though getting a free upgrade is very unpredictable but we can increase our chances of landing in first class without spending a fortune. Here are some tips on how to get a free airline upgrade.

* Instead of flying with different airlines, try to stick with one airline and join their frequent flier program. This way you not only increase the chances of getting a free upgrade but you also get access to airport lounges and so on.
* Early afternoon and late evening are probably the best time to get a free upgrade as early-morning flights and late-night flights are usually packed with business travelers.
* Try to book a flight where their economy section is full, you can known whether their economy section is packed or not by going through a false booking on the airline website. As there is so much competition, the airline may squeeze you to first class instead of turning you away.
* How you dress, can also increase or decrease your chances of getting a free upgrade. You need not wear a suit or a tie but at least dress like a business executive as airlines won’t be willing to upgrade a person wearing torn jeans and dirt shoes, to the first class.
* Being polite always pays off and even in the case of getting a free upgrade, being polite sure does help. Ask the check-in staff, ‘whether you are eligible for an upgrade’. Those traveling alone have a bigger chance of getting a free upgrade than those traveling in groups.

Who does not want to travel in first class but everyone cannot afford the luxury of a first class. But with a bit of luck and some common sense we can, not always but at least once in a while.

Reduce the Risk of Having Your Baggage Lost

What could be worst, after hours and hours of a very tiring flight journey you found out that your luggage has been sent to another city! The story of luggages getting transferred to another city while the owner is in another city is not a new tale and a missing luggage could even spoil your entire vacation. Though till now, none has come up with a full proof way to totally eradicate the problem, yet we can reduce the risk of luggages going astray by following some common precautions like:

• Remove old stickers and tags from your previous trip.
• Try to book a direct flight
• Pack all your valuables on a carry-on bag
• Add your name and address on the outside and inside of each bags
• Use a bigger and a distinctive luggage tag
• Check in early
• Get your luggage insured
• Always keep your baggage receipts in a safe place
• In case if your baggage go missing keep a copy of all the documentations produced by the airline and do not leave the airport until you are through with all the necessary paper for the baggage agent.

Next time when you travel follow these simple and common tips. If you have any tips that's not listed, please feel free to share it, by posting it as a comments. Your tip would be of great use to other fellow travelers.

Booking Hassle Free Travel Plans on online Travel Sites

Lately I have come across articles, blazing out about the hazards of booking airline tickets, hotels, car rentals and vacation packages through online travel sites. I don’t disagree with them but I don’t even agree with them as everything has its bad as well as good sides and in most of the cases, we fall into such pitfalls because of our own carelessness. Seriously, I have been using various online travel sites like CheapOair, Expedia, OneTravel, Tripadvisor, Orbitz and so on for years, to book my flight, hotels and more and I have always noticed that travel has become cheaper, more convenient and easier since the birth of online travel.

Here are some tips and tricks that you need to known while booking your travel plans online:

• Hook up with a well known, reputed online travel site, which offers secure booking page. Check out the site terms and conditions; read the cancellation policy and browse the FAQ section, if you have any doubts.

• Booking in advance is undeniably the best way to get the cheapest deal, but this does not mean that you have to book months in advance. The best time to book is 21 days before the day of your journey. Incase if you could not, book 7 to 8 days ahead of your travel dates.

• Never end your quest by just visiting one site. Do a research on multiple-sites. If you don’t know the address of such travel sites, use search engines such as Google, yahoo search and so on.

• Sign up for fare alerts like Fares newsletters and RSS fares that the many travel sites offers. Most of the online travel sites allow visitors to sign up free for fare alerts, by which one can get all the latest updates of airfares, hotel deals and so on of a destination through emails.

• Always inquire about extra-charges or any hidden cost before finalizing your deal. Do not give up the PIN number of your credit card besides the three-digit security number on the back of your credit card.

• Once you complete the process of booking, you should receive an email confirming all the details, print it and keep it safe and handy as you will need it while check in at the airport or at the car rental office, if you have booked a rental car.

Next time while buying your travel plans online, follow these simple tips. If you have any tip or experience, feel free to share by posting it as a comment.

5 Tips to Make Your Overnight Flight Trip More Comfortable

Flying without a doubt is the fastest, easiest and the most comfortable way to travel but an overnight flight can be very stressful and unpleasant. If you are traveling in the first class or business class, you won’t have to compromise much on comfort but for economy class travelers, an overnight flight is quite a challenge. Here are some tips to make your overnight flight trip more comfortable.

1. Choosing the right seat is the key to a comfortable journey. Since you are taking an overnight flight, you will definitely want to sleep and in this case, none serves better than a window seat. An aisle seat is also a great option, if you are looking for more arm room. Try to avoid the absolute rear of the plane.

2. Though most airlines offer entertainment but bringing your own entertainment, like an iPod, game boy, novel or a magazine is highly recommended.

3. Don’t forget your tooth brush and toiletries, including a deo and ofcourse, wet ones to help you freshen up.

4. Move around; take a stroll up and down along the aisle a few times. Contact your airline and ask whether you can request a special meal or you can carry bring your own meal. As most of the airlines foods are not that healthy as well as tasty.

5. Drink plenty of water. Bring along a high quality noise-isolating headphone, this will help in reducing the plane noise. If you are taking sleeping pills, consider using only half of the pill as flight crew should be able to wake you up in case of an emergency.

Next Time, while taking an overnight flight, follow these simple tips, these will definitely make your trip more comfortable.

Travel Insurance a Must for Travelers

Going on a vacation? Am sure you must have booked your flight tickets, your hotel rooms well in advance, researched on what to see and do and where to shop, dine and party. Well what about your travel insurance? Buying travel insurance before taking any trip is just as important as booking your flight, hotels and so on in advance.

The advantage of getting your travel insured has lots of advantages, and depending on the plan you are taking, you insurance policy will cover everything from lost luggage, medical emergencies to delay and cancellation of your flights and more. Incase, if you have never bought travel insurance before, here are some tips to help your get the best policy for your travel.

1. The most important of all is doing a research on various insurance companies before your finalize your decision. Check out the background of the company and their customer satisfaction.

2. Read the policy carefully, know what your policy is covering like canceled or the flight is delayed, medical emergencies, lost luggage. Make sure that your policy covers the full length of your trip.

3. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or going to engage in any adventure sports like skiing, snowboarding and so on, do declare in advance.

4. Always discuss with a travel agent or a travel expert before finalizing your deal.