Fliers Find Their Way in Tough Economic Times
The past few weeks have been daunting, at best, as it relates to the economy. How far will the Dow plunge today? How much will I lose in my 401(k)? Can I still refinance my house? Questions surface depending on the headline-of-the-day, but the reality is that consumers can't predict the future. We can, however, plan for it.
There will be more substitutions for brand name items and a closer look at the family bank account on a weekly basis. But there is no substitution for spending Thanksgiving with the family or Christmas with your grandkids. Travel will continue, but at what cost? The good news: Travelers have options.
In an earlier post, "Book Early and Off-Peak", Jerry Chandler reminded fliers to snatch the cheapest airfare by booking early and flying on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. A recent report from the Official Airline Guide cites the number of domestic flights will fall almost 11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, which means airline seats are few and far between; the quicker you book, the better the seat.
But, booking early and being flexible aren't the only options for travelers. Christopher Elliot, consumer advocate and syndicated travel columnist, says consumers have plenty of choices when it comes to flying.
"Fly the right airline. Some carriers, like Southwest, still get it. They take care of their customers and don't overbill them with surprise fees and surcharges," said Elliot. "Also, consider buying travel insurance, which may protect you if your flight is canceled or your carrier files for bankruptcy protection and stops flying."
In his recent column on MSNBC, TripSo travel columnist Tim Leffel offers this piece of advice: Leave the country. He writes, "The global financial mess has become a contagious nightmare, but there's one piece of unexpected happy news: the greenback has been rising in a lot of countries where it had hit rock bottom."
Just this week, the U.S. dollar gained in South Africa, Brazil, Chile and Australia. If you're not one for such a long flight, head north of the border to Canada, where the U.S. dollar is gaining strength and making things more affordable for travelers.
Cheapflights.com recently released its first installment of "Travelnomics: Getting a Good Deal in a Down Economy", which shows airline ticket prices haven't really changed over the years; the economy has worsened and airlines have upped fees, costing consumers more for small luxuries. Save yourself money and follow the rules:
- Don’t over-pack: It costs to check bags so the less you pack the more you save.
- Bring your own food: More airlines are charging for snack packs and in-flight services.
- Get online: Airlines are charging consumers to talk to agents. Web sites are made simpler to help the consumer book easy and without hassle.
Don't forget about your airport options. Choosing an alternate airport close to your home or destination can save you valuable dollars. Free shuttle service is often available from the airport and today's "smaller" airports are still large enough to have public transportation available nearby at a minimal cost.
Fact: Airlines will suffer from this financial crisis. It's too early to tell what the impact will be, but the reality is that people will continue to fly.
Bottom line: Flying doesn't have to be a burden. Plan ahead, be flexible and book smart.
© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer