PLANES, TRAINS, and AUTOMOBILES
“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.” --Orson Welles
It wasn’t that long ago when most trips involving an airline or cruise or hotel outside of the local area resulted in a trip or call to the local travel agent or an airline ticket office. Times have indeed changed. Agents no longer get commissions from the airlines, so they in most cases charge a fee for their services. Airline ticket offices are, for all practical purposes, a thing of the past; and with airlines actually charging for making a reservation over the phone, do-it-yourself booking via the internet is now the norm rather than the exception. Some airlines don’t even have a phone number to call – it’s all done via the internet and e-mail (good luck if there’s a problem with your flight!).
The internet is actually a great source of information concerning travel – flights, airfares, flight status (on the day of your travel), seat assignments, movies on your flight, meals (or lack thereof these days), etc. A couple of extra clicks brings you to package deals – airfare and hotel and/or rental car, often at a fair discount to the price of the individual components. If you have frequent flyer miles, they are now generally redeemed via the web as well. The internet also provides user recommendations on everything from the best and worst airline seats, hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, etc. It’s all there – and a whole lot more.
Flight Information
Google Flights seems to list all airline flights (www.google.com/flights/?gl=us), including Southwest Airlines and many of the low cost European carriers that don’t appear on the main travel reservation sites, like Expedia. It is an indispensable time-saver in that you now know which airlines fly between your origin and destination cities and what the departure and arrival times are. What the site doesn’t provide is the lowest available fare for flights. It provides links to other sites (such as Expedia.com) for fare information, and then not for every airline, like Southwest.
A key to buying airline tickets is to check several websites. I suggest starting with www.kayak.com, a site that trolls through multiple websites to find the widest range of fares, including the lowest available fares. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include Southwest (NO sites includes pricing for Southwest other than the airline’s own site). Kayak presents an large array of flight options (connections that one would never think of, for instance). The site is best for setting a target airfare, since it lists the fares from lowest to highest. You cannot book flights on kayak.com; when you find the fare you want, you can click on it and it will take you to the source of the information – usually either one of the big reservation sites or directly to an airline.
With the basic knowledge of airlines and airfares for the given route, go to one of the big three travel reservation sites: www.expedia.com, www.travelocity.com and www.orbitz.com. Now that Expedia owns/operates all three of these sites, there’s little if any price differentiation among the three. A recent check of fares in one market (Seattle – Orlando) on specific dates showed all three of these sites with the same lowest fare ($397 on United for a 1-stop flight.). The fare was the same on United's own site. Priceline.com did was a slightly lower fare ($383) BUT you had to commit to the fare without knowing the flight times, airlines, and whether or not they were nonstop flights. I personally use Expedia or the specific airline website for my airline bookings, though there’s nothing wrong with Travelocity or Orbitz. Again, a reminder that some carriers, such as Southwest, Spirit, and Allegient, are not listed on these sites.
An interesting feature on kayak.com is their fare advice element. It shows up in the upper left-hand corner of the screen when there is enough information for kayak to project what direction airfares on those specific dates are heading. Assuming you are taking a flight between major markets, kayak.com will predict whether your fare will remain similar, go up or go down, and include the probability (in %) of their forecast being correct. It is still up to you whether to book or not to book at this time so kayak.com does not guarantee that the fare will change. The usual advice is – if the fare looks good to you, buy it!
Finally, should you buy your ticket through an on-line service like Expedia or from the specific airline that you are thinking of flying? If the fare is the same though, I would suggest using one of the Big 3. It gives you an advocate if something goes wrong, as would a travel agent. They can help if your flight is cancelled, delayed with missed connections, etc. When you book directly with an airline, your only recourse is with the airline. I also recommend that you charge your travel on a major credit card – they can sometimes help if there is a problem that results in unexpected costs, or if your carrier, hotel, cruise line, etc. goes bankrupt before departure. Again, some carriers, such as Southwest, require direct bookings using their websites with no recourse to local or national travel agents in case of problems.
When making airline reservations, it’s important to focus on the total cost including baggage fees. A few airlines, such as Southwest, don’t charge for the first (or even second) checked bag. Others charge for both checked bags and carry-ons (such as Spirit)! Expedia often shows the range of baggage fees when you click on “details” on a specific flight.
Before hitting the final “purchase” button, check out the fare rules and restrictions and other fees that the airline may charge (see next page). Most sites summarize the highlights (is the fare refundable, what are the fees associated with changing flights, flying standby on earlier flights, etc.). It’s important to know what you are buying! Also make sure you spelled your name and those of your traveling companions correctly – you generally have 24 hours to make changes/corrections/cancellations without charge when flying within the U.S. or to/from the U.S.. Airport security rules require that the name on your ticket exactly match your passport or other identification.
Seat Assignments
As part of the reservation process on most carriers (discount carriers are the major exception), you can reserve your seats. A seat map usually pops up, so you can see available seats and choose the ones you want. Note that these days some seats (aisle seats near the front of the plane and exit-row seats) have additional fees associated with them or are held back for frequent flyers. If only middle seats are left, reserve what you can and check back 24 hours before departure when the airlines open up unassigned seats. And definitely check back 24 hours before departure if you were unable to get an assigned seat earlier!
You can check out www.SeatGuru.com for reviews of seats. Their maps, which are based on the various airlines and aircraft types (which can be confusing when differentiating between aircraft such as the seven different models of the 737) highlight the better than average seats and the problematic seats (limited legroom, nearness to restrooms and the lines associated with them, etc.). Its especially valuable if flying in business or first class where it can highlight the type of seat, including whether or not the seat turns into a bed and, if so, how flat, etc. The site also includes reviews from frequent travelers. This information may influence whether or not you book a certain carrier or a certain flight based on the assigned equipment. Sometimes an exit row seat in coach can be as good if not better than a business class seat in terms of legroom, especially on domestic flights.
Other Airline Fees
And, of course, ‘total fare” is relative. These days, there are a lot of “extra” costs for things that used to be free - checked baggage, for instance. On US domestic flights, most airlines now charge for each piece of checked baggage, with the cost per piece going up with each additional piece. Only Southwest still allows 2 free checked bags. On international flights, most airlines still allow 1 or 2 free items of checked baggage, but that may change. For a summary of airline baggage fees on US airlines, check out: http://www.tripadvisor.com/AirlineFees. The site also has links to most international carriers. Its worth double-checking the airline’s own website for the most current information, since changes in baggage fees are quite frequent. If you have an airline's affinity credit card, most offer one or two free bags with their use for you and traveling companions booked on the same reservation.
Complimentary meals on US domestic flights in coach have generally disappeared, though they are beginning to make a comeback on a few carriers (such as American) on select domestic flights. Most carriers sell boxed meals of varying amounts and quality at $5-10, though most passengers bring food from home, buy it at airport concessionaires, or eat before boarding. Many international flights generally include free meals, but, again, this may change in coming years (or months). Pillows and blankets have now become an “extra” as well as some carriers, if available at all. Dress in layers.
Airlines are always coming up with new fees – so check each airline carefully. This is especially true when flying on low-cost carriers, whether domestic or international. Lufthansa recently started a fee for booking through on-line agents not directly associated with the airline. This may likely become the norm soon, forcing you to book directly with the airline or, gulping, paying a fee for using Expedia or another service. Of course, if a lower fare is available through an agent, then the fee may be worth it.
International Flight Considerations
You may also find that it’s noticeably cheaper to fly from the US/Canada to Dublin or Manchester or even London and then fly a European low-cost carrier onward to your final destination. If so, allow a fair amount of time to make your connections. You will not be “through ticketed” and if your inbound flight to Manchester is late or cancelled and you miss the connection on Ryanair or EasyJet or other low fare carrier, you will be out the cost of that ticket with no recourse. The same applies if you fly a major carrier to other worldwide hubs and connect to a regional low-cost carrier. There are now international low-cost carriers, such as Norwegian, that offer amazingly low fares and have an influence on lowering fares on competing airlines.
Also note that some airlines and some countries do not allow you to purchase a ticket when overseas or may charge different rates for foreigners versus residents. Be especially careful if booking on a carrier’s home country website (many have international websites in addition to their home country websites). If you book as though you are a citizen of the country and clearly are not (you will usually be required to show your passport at the ticket counter), you could be charged the fare differential or even a penalty. One way to avoid this and still potentially save money is to contact a local travel agent in the foreign country (your hotel may be able to give you a recommendation of a reputable firm) and have them purchase the ticket for you – there can be a special rate for foreigners when booking within the country versus outside of the country.
When Should You Book? Flights on major carriers generally open up about 330 days in advance and can be booked at that time. (Some carriers, such as Southwest and many European low cost carriers, open up their flights for booking 3-6 months in advance.) Unless you have a very specific need for a very specific flight on a very specific day, there is little reason to book that far in advance since fares are generally pretty high that far i advance.
Bargain fares typically need to be booked at least 14 days in advance (occasionally 7 days) and are usually non-refundable. Travel during peak periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, for instance) should be booked well in advance (3-6 months).
Fare sales can happen at just about anytime and are usually valid for a short period of time and for flights in the next 2-12 weeks. An airline starting service on a new route may start a sale right at the onset of the announcement, often 3-6 months in advance of start of service.
Money Saving Tips
Other Air Travel Tips
Frequent Flyer Programs and Mileage Redemption
First of all, always join a frequent flyer program whenever you fly a new airline not covered under a program you already are a member of. Nearly all frequent flyer programs of major airlines have “partner” airlines where you can also earn and redeem miles. Southwest and jetBlue are the major exceptions in the U.S., though they each have their own programs with fairly generous rewards. It is surprising how easy it is to earn enough miles for an upgrade, fare discount or free ticket. I’ve found that earning the miles is not the problem – cashing them IN is the problem. There are literally billions of frequent flyer miles that have been earned and not redeemed.
Procrastination is but one reason. The biggest reason is that airlines are, shall we say, stingy about the number of seats available at the lowest mileage redemption rate. Some airlines even have 3 levels of mileage requirements – the lowest with few seats (some flights on peak days may have no seats available at that level), a middle range with more seats, and a high range (usually at least double the lowest mileage redemption rate) with more or less unlimited availability assuming there are unsold seats on the flight. Delta goes to a more extreme method - flexible requirements based on route, dates, and frequent flyer status.
Nearly all major carriers allow you to redeem miles on line. If looking for seats on your program’s principal carrier (Alaska Airlines/Virgin Atlantic for instance on the Alaska Air Mileage Plan), this is a pretty straightforward endeavor. Many airlines even have a calendar feature that lists the minimum miles required between a given city pair on a given day. Flights on most partner carriers are also available for on-line booking, though you may need to call their toll-free line to call to book flights on certain partner carriers. Also remember that taxes and international fees must still be paid for when booking frequent flyer tickets, as well as any applicable checked baggage fees. In one of the more egregious situations, booking British Airways flights using Alaska Airlines miles also requires the payment of the fuel surcharge, which can be several hundred dollars – hardly a free ticket anymore - even with today's lower fuel costs.
Years ago, the common rule of thumb for determining whether a flight was worth cashing in miles for was the 2 cents per mile guideline. That is, redeeming 25,000 miles should be equivalent to booking a $500 airline ticket. These days, the rule of thumb is closer to 1 cent per mile (another reason to cash in miles when you can, since their value generally goes down rather than up!). The true bargain is cashing in miles for a business class (or even 1st class) ticket – the equivalent airfares, especially on international flights, are usually 2 to 10 times the price of a coach ticket. Business/First class tickets are sometimes easier to get and you have the chance to experience the “front cabin” for a change. Mileage requirements for the front cabins are significantly more than for a coach seat of course.
You can also use miles to upgrade a coach ticket to business or first class. Upgrades are not always available on some coach fares and the number of seats available for such upgrades is usually limited.
Mileage that you have earned by flying, using credit cards associated with the program, staying at certain hotel chains, eating at certain restaurants, booking tours, cruises, getting mortgages (yes, you read that right) and even buying groceries at the right chain, do expire if you aren’t careful. In nearly all cases, earning mileage of any amount buys you at least another year before the miles expire, but be sure to check the rules for each program, since they differ and can be subject to frequent change. Keep your boarding passes until your miles appear on your frequent flyer account. Proof of flying is often needed in case of problems crediting your account with miles flown.
When booking your flights, be sure to enter your frequent flyer information to assure that you will receive the miles – this is especially true when flying on partner airlines.
Seats available for frequent flyers usually open up 330 days in advance and seats on really popular flights can fill within days of that opening date. Other frequent flyer seats can open up at most any time, often with some available very close to the departure date.
Trains
Train travel is a great way to see the countryside without driving your own car. In some countries (Japan, for instance) or regions (Europe, for instance), the trains are frequent and speedy. The same applies to train service in the US northeast corridor (Boston to Washington DC via New York and Philadelphia). In the US long-haul markets, trains usually operate only once per day (and a few less than that) and can be relatively slow.
Amtrak, the US national passenger rail operator, offers a variety of specials, including weekly ones that they post on their website (www.amtrak.com), family deals and a variety of other discounts. If you will be doing a lot of train travel, look into the USA Rail Pass. The Pass is good for a set number of train segments over a set number of days and can represent good value if you are traveling longer distances.
In Europe, the Eurail Pass has been around for decades and can represent fairly substantial savings over regular rail fares. But they are not inexpensive, especially for adults. There is also a wide range of passes available – some are good throughout Europe, others in 3-4 countries and some only in one country. The more tailored the pass for your trip, the better the chance that it’s a good deal. The passes are generally great if you want to keep moving on or want a lot of flexibility in your train travels.
The passes can be bought through your travel agent or directly from Eurail (www.eurail.com). A site with lots of information on the Eurail pass, including how you actually use it and a map that shoes estimate segment-by-segment rail cost that can help you determine in the pass is worth it for you, can be found at www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm. Note that the Eurail pass is NOT good in Great Britain or for the Eurostar service between England and the Continent (but it is good in Ireland, including the ferry between Ireland and France). The Eurail pass needs to be purchased before leaving for Europe. Also note that train reservations still need to be made for travel on reserved coach trains. It is also possible to upgrade your railpass to include couchette or sleeper cars on the night trains. Taking an overnight train can save both time and the cost of a more expensive hotel room.
Train travel in Japan is an amazing experience –frequent service (up to 6 trains per hour between Kyoto and Tokyo, for instance), high speed service, and easy to navigate for English-speakers. The Japan Rail pass is definitely worth looking into – a 7 day pass can cost less than a roundtrip ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and allows you to travel anywhere in the country. Reservations are still required and can be made once you arrive in Japan. The pass itself must be purchased before leaving for Japan. For more information, see JR Rail website: www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html.
Train travel is also a possibility in other countries and regions of the world. VIA Rail offers an extensive network in eastern Canada, as well as transcontinental service and local service in many provinces. Discounts and packages are available. www.viarail.ca/en.
There are fabulous train trips out there that are worth the trip in and of themselves. The Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok or Beijing is one of the longest train trips (distance and time-wise) on the planet. Trains to Patagonia in Argentina, to Machu Picchu in Peru and the long-distance trains in Australia and China are among the many other possibilities. Check out www.seat61.com. The gentleman who runs this site is a train buff and has an amazing site full of information on rail travel throughout the world.
Automobiles
While airlines have recently discovered the world of “extras” and “fees” and “surcharges,” car rental companies pioneered the concept and have it down to a science, an arcane science for sure, but a science nonetheless. These charges are in addition to the recent trend of higher base costs. While its relatively easy to avoid car rentals in big cities (cars are usually a hindrance in places like New York, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo), there are clearly trips outside of your local area that are ideal for car travel – the New England coast, Glacier – Yellowstone –Tetons, the Everglades and Florida Keys, the west of Ireland, etc.
Reservations
Expedia and the other major reservation sites are prime territory for car rental choices, pricing and reservations. The rental car companies themselves all have reservation websites as well. Rates can vary significantly among the rental car companies. Generally speaking, it is usually less expensive to book a rental car in advance than just showing up at the rental car desk. When traveling to popular destinations during peak periods (Hawaii at Christmas, for instance), reservations are essential. Sometimes though, especially when your rental car company doesn’t have a car immediately available, it can be advantageous to walk over to the next booth and see what they have available – deals can sometimes be made.
One way to potentially save some money on car rentals is NOT to pick up the car at an airport location, but to use an off-site or downtown location. This avoids airport-imposed fees and the savings can range from modest to substantial. But it could also prove to be inconvenient. Check out the differences before booking. Also be sure to check out or ask about AAA and AARP discounts if you qualify – this will usually require booking directly with the car rental company. If a Costco member, you can book rental cars through their site at a decent savings.
As with booking airline tickets, it’s also important to remember that if you book through Expedia or similar reservation services, they can help out if there are any problems with the rental car, agreement, pricing, etc. If you book directly with the car rental company, you are on your own (though, as usual, your credit card company MAY be able to help with some disputes).
Other Car Rental Expenses
The really fun part (I’m being sarcastic) comes when you get to the rental car counter at the airport. Collision damage waivers, personal liability insurance, refueling charges and offers are all placed before you in such a way that you feel compelled to sign up for all of them, which would likely double the cost of your rental!
When You Pick Up Your Car Check out the car thoroughly before leaving the rental car property. With the advent of digital cameras comes the easy opportunity of taking LOTS of photographs of the car – especially of any dents, scratches, rust, glass chips, dings, etc. Also mark the location of these on the form that the rental car company gives you before handing it over to them. Also check the lights, turn signals, horn, power windows, power seats, radio, heater, gas gauge, warning lights, and the condition of the tires. Adjust the mirrors. Start and engine and listen for strange sounds or warning lights on the dashboard. You may be responsible for any problems not noted before you leave the premises, especially if you waive the various policies that the rental company offered to you. Check the spare tire, make sure you have the company’s emergency contact information and make sure that the company’s airport office in the returning city is scheduled to be open when you return the car. While not usually an issue, some of the smaller rental car companies may have more limited hours, especially on weekends.
Be sure to ask for a map showing how to get to the nearest freeway and where to return your rental car. It may not be the same location as where you picked up the car. Also be sure to have a good map with you covering the area where you will be traveling. It is also possible to rent cars equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) systems or to bring your own from home. If the latter, be sure you’ve downloaded the appropriate maps.
Returning Your Car
If you are returning the car prior to the agreed upon date, be prepared for some surprising costs. Most weekly rentals require that you to keep the car for at least 5 days – if you return it in 3 or 4, the rate will likely convert to their normal day rate, which could be far higher than the weekly rate! Charges for additional days are usually noted on the rental car agreement, but definitely notify the company if you will be keeping the car beyond your expected return date. Also note that many, but not all, companies give a 30 minute grace period before charging for an extra hour or day. The hourly rate can be as much as half of daily rate, so try to get the car back on time.
It wasn’t that long ago when most trips involving an airline or cruise or hotel outside of the local area resulted in a trip or call to the local travel agent or an airline ticket office. Times have indeed changed. Agents no longer get commissions from the airlines, so they in most cases charge a fee for their services. Airline ticket offices are, for all practical purposes, a thing of the past; and with airlines actually charging for making a reservation over the phone, do-it-yourself booking via the internet is now the norm rather than the exception. Some airlines don’t even have a phone number to call – it’s all done via the internet and e-mail (good luck if there’s a problem with your flight!).
The internet is actually a great source of information concerning travel – flights, airfares, flight status (on the day of your travel), seat assignments, movies on your flight, meals (or lack thereof these days), etc. A couple of extra clicks brings you to package deals – airfare and hotel and/or rental car, often at a fair discount to the price of the individual components. If you have frequent flyer miles, they are now generally redeemed via the web as well. The internet also provides user recommendations on everything from the best and worst airline seats, hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, etc. It’s all there – and a whole lot more.
Flight Information
Google Flights seems to list all airline flights (www.google.com/flights/?gl=us), including Southwest Airlines and many of the low cost European carriers that don’t appear on the main travel reservation sites, like Expedia. It is an indispensable time-saver in that you now know which airlines fly between your origin and destination cities and what the departure and arrival times are. What the site doesn’t provide is the lowest available fare for flights. It provides links to other sites (such as Expedia.com) for fare information, and then not for every airline, like Southwest.
A key to buying airline tickets is to check several websites. I suggest starting with www.kayak.com, a site that trolls through multiple websites to find the widest range of fares, including the lowest available fares. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include Southwest (NO sites includes pricing for Southwest other than the airline’s own site). Kayak presents an large array of flight options (connections that one would never think of, for instance). The site is best for setting a target airfare, since it lists the fares from lowest to highest. You cannot book flights on kayak.com; when you find the fare you want, you can click on it and it will take you to the source of the information – usually either one of the big reservation sites or directly to an airline.
With the basic knowledge of airlines and airfares for the given route, go to one of the big three travel reservation sites: www.expedia.com, www.travelocity.com and www.orbitz.com. Now that Expedia owns/operates all three of these sites, there’s little if any price differentiation among the three. A recent check of fares in one market (Seattle – Orlando) on specific dates showed all three of these sites with the same lowest fare ($397 on United for a 1-stop flight.). The fare was the same on United's own site. Priceline.com did was a slightly lower fare ($383) BUT you had to commit to the fare without knowing the flight times, airlines, and whether or not they were nonstop flights. I personally use Expedia or the specific airline website for my airline bookings, though there’s nothing wrong with Travelocity or Orbitz. Again, a reminder that some carriers, such as Southwest, Spirit, and Allegient, are not listed on these sites.
An interesting feature on kayak.com is their fare advice element. It shows up in the upper left-hand corner of the screen when there is enough information for kayak to project what direction airfares on those specific dates are heading. Assuming you are taking a flight between major markets, kayak.com will predict whether your fare will remain similar, go up or go down, and include the probability (in %) of their forecast being correct. It is still up to you whether to book or not to book at this time so kayak.com does not guarantee that the fare will change. The usual advice is – if the fare looks good to you, buy it!
Finally, should you buy your ticket through an on-line service like Expedia or from the specific airline that you are thinking of flying? If the fare is the same though, I would suggest using one of the Big 3. It gives you an advocate if something goes wrong, as would a travel agent. They can help if your flight is cancelled, delayed with missed connections, etc. When you book directly with an airline, your only recourse is with the airline. I also recommend that you charge your travel on a major credit card – they can sometimes help if there is a problem that results in unexpected costs, or if your carrier, hotel, cruise line, etc. goes bankrupt before departure. Again, some carriers, such as Southwest, require direct bookings using their websites with no recourse to local or national travel agents in case of problems.
When making airline reservations, it’s important to focus on the total cost including baggage fees. A few airlines, such as Southwest, don’t charge for the first (or even second) checked bag. Others charge for both checked bags and carry-ons (such as Spirit)! Expedia often shows the range of baggage fees when you click on “details” on a specific flight.
Before hitting the final “purchase” button, check out the fare rules and restrictions and other fees that the airline may charge (see next page). Most sites summarize the highlights (is the fare refundable, what are the fees associated with changing flights, flying standby on earlier flights, etc.). It’s important to know what you are buying! Also make sure you spelled your name and those of your traveling companions correctly – you generally have 24 hours to make changes/corrections/cancellations without charge when flying within the U.S. or to/from the U.S.. Airport security rules require that the name on your ticket exactly match your passport or other identification.
Seat Assignments
As part of the reservation process on most carriers (discount carriers are the major exception), you can reserve your seats. A seat map usually pops up, so you can see available seats and choose the ones you want. Note that these days some seats (aisle seats near the front of the plane and exit-row seats) have additional fees associated with them or are held back for frequent flyers. If only middle seats are left, reserve what you can and check back 24 hours before departure when the airlines open up unassigned seats. And definitely check back 24 hours before departure if you were unable to get an assigned seat earlier!
You can check out www.SeatGuru.com for reviews of seats. Their maps, which are based on the various airlines and aircraft types (which can be confusing when differentiating between aircraft such as the seven different models of the 737) highlight the better than average seats and the problematic seats (limited legroom, nearness to restrooms and the lines associated with them, etc.). Its especially valuable if flying in business or first class where it can highlight the type of seat, including whether or not the seat turns into a bed and, if so, how flat, etc. The site also includes reviews from frequent travelers. This information may influence whether or not you book a certain carrier or a certain flight based on the assigned equipment. Sometimes an exit row seat in coach can be as good if not better than a business class seat in terms of legroom, especially on domestic flights.
Other Airline Fees
And, of course, ‘total fare” is relative. These days, there are a lot of “extra” costs for things that used to be free - checked baggage, for instance. On US domestic flights, most airlines now charge for each piece of checked baggage, with the cost per piece going up with each additional piece. Only Southwest still allows 2 free checked bags. On international flights, most airlines still allow 1 or 2 free items of checked baggage, but that may change. For a summary of airline baggage fees on US airlines, check out: http://www.tripadvisor.com/AirlineFees. The site also has links to most international carriers. Its worth double-checking the airline’s own website for the most current information, since changes in baggage fees are quite frequent. If you have an airline's affinity credit card, most offer one or two free bags with their use for you and traveling companions booked on the same reservation.
Complimentary meals on US domestic flights in coach have generally disappeared, though they are beginning to make a comeback on a few carriers (such as American) on select domestic flights. Most carriers sell boxed meals of varying amounts and quality at $5-10, though most passengers bring food from home, buy it at airport concessionaires, or eat before boarding. Many international flights generally include free meals, but, again, this may change in coming years (or months). Pillows and blankets have now become an “extra” as well as some carriers, if available at all. Dress in layers.
Airlines are always coming up with new fees – so check each airline carefully. This is especially true when flying on low-cost carriers, whether domestic or international. Lufthansa recently started a fee for booking through on-line agents not directly associated with the airline. This may likely become the norm soon, forcing you to book directly with the airline or, gulping, paying a fee for using Expedia or another service. Of course, if a lower fare is available through an agent, then the fee may be worth it.
International Flight Considerations
You may also find that it’s noticeably cheaper to fly from the US/Canada to Dublin or Manchester or even London and then fly a European low-cost carrier onward to your final destination. If so, allow a fair amount of time to make your connections. You will not be “through ticketed” and if your inbound flight to Manchester is late or cancelled and you miss the connection on Ryanair or EasyJet or other low fare carrier, you will be out the cost of that ticket with no recourse. The same applies if you fly a major carrier to other worldwide hubs and connect to a regional low-cost carrier. There are now international low-cost carriers, such as Norwegian, that offer amazingly low fares and have an influence on lowering fares on competing airlines.
Also note that some airlines and some countries do not allow you to purchase a ticket when overseas or may charge different rates for foreigners versus residents. Be especially careful if booking on a carrier’s home country website (many have international websites in addition to their home country websites). If you book as though you are a citizen of the country and clearly are not (you will usually be required to show your passport at the ticket counter), you could be charged the fare differential or even a penalty. One way to avoid this and still potentially save money is to contact a local travel agent in the foreign country (your hotel may be able to give you a recommendation of a reputable firm) and have them purchase the ticket for you – there can be a special rate for foreigners when booking within the country versus outside of the country.
When Should You Book? Flights on major carriers generally open up about 330 days in advance and can be booked at that time. (Some carriers, such as Southwest and many European low cost carriers, open up their flights for booking 3-6 months in advance.) Unless you have a very specific need for a very specific flight on a very specific day, there is little reason to book that far in advance since fares are generally pretty high that far i advance.
Bargain fares typically need to be booked at least 14 days in advance (occasionally 7 days) and are usually non-refundable. Travel during peak periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, for instance) should be booked well in advance (3-6 months).
Fare sales can happen at just about anytime and are usually valid for a short period of time and for flights in the next 2-12 weeks. An airline starting service on a new route may start a sale right at the onset of the announcement, often 3-6 months in advance of start of service.
Money Saving Tips
- Bidding - For those willing to try for a lower fare but without knowing the carrier or even the time of day, check out: www.priceline.com. Priceline.com allows you to specify your origin and destination and dates of travel and place a bid. If the bid is accepted, you’re committed. I’ve never used it myself, but lots of folks have. It’s especially popular when booking hotels or rental cars. Of course, you don’t know exactly what you’ve bought until its too late to change.
- Alternative Airports - Some sites also allow you to check a box to expand the search to nearby airports (for instance, Dulles, National and Baltimore airports in the DC area; Miami, Ft Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach serving southeast Florida, etc.) Oftentimes, airfares into one airport can be substantially cheaper than a neighboring airport.
- Non-stop versus connections: transcontinental nonstop flights tend to be more expensive – sometimes MUCH more expensive – than flights that connect through a hub. The trade-off is a shorter travel time and no risk of missed connections versus lower cost.
- Weekly specials via social media - many airlines have weekly specials that they announce in a variety of ways – via their website, via e-mail, via their Facebook pages (www.facebook.com) and via tweets (www.twitter.com). The big newspaper TV ads announcing sales are pretty much a thing of the past. Sites such as Expedia also have a feature where they send you alerts when the airfare between any two cities has changed, alerting you to changes in the lowest fare (including in the UP direction). This is an especially helpful feature if you regularly fly to a specific destination.
Other Air Travel Tips
- Make sure you know which carrier you are actually flying! Code share agreements among carriers allow one carrier to sell seats on another airline’s flight. The flight numbers are different, but the aircraft is the same. The reservation site should show you the name of the actual airline, usually with language such as “flight operated by Pinnacle Airlines” or some such. This is especially true when flying from a major city to a smaller city, where the flights are normally operated by a “commuter” carrier, with smaller aircraft and, oftentimes, less experienced crews. The plane may even say “United” but operated by a commuter carrier under contract. For example, if you book a flight on Alaska Airlines and it’s a code share flight operated by American, you will need to check in at the American airline desk at the airport.
- Morning flights are more likely to be on time than evening flights, since evening flights generally use aircraft that have been in the air most of the day. Delays accumulate.
- Thunderstorms in the summer can impact hubs such as Chicago, New York, and Dallas/Ft Worth, whereas snow storms can impact winter travel at hubs such as Chicago (again!), Detroit, Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Consider that when deciding if a connecting flight is worth the savings over a non-stop flight.
- One other consideration in planning your trip and booking your flights is called an “open jaw” ticket – flying into one city, such as London, and returning from another, such as Frankfurt. Most reservation sites allow you to check what’s called the “multiple cities” box, which will research fares for such flights and save you the time and money of returning to your original arrival destination.
Frequent Flyer Programs and Mileage Redemption
First of all, always join a frequent flyer program whenever you fly a new airline not covered under a program you already are a member of. Nearly all frequent flyer programs of major airlines have “partner” airlines where you can also earn and redeem miles. Southwest and jetBlue are the major exceptions in the U.S., though they each have their own programs with fairly generous rewards. It is surprising how easy it is to earn enough miles for an upgrade, fare discount or free ticket. I’ve found that earning the miles is not the problem – cashing them IN is the problem. There are literally billions of frequent flyer miles that have been earned and not redeemed.
Procrastination is but one reason. The biggest reason is that airlines are, shall we say, stingy about the number of seats available at the lowest mileage redemption rate. Some airlines even have 3 levels of mileage requirements – the lowest with few seats (some flights on peak days may have no seats available at that level), a middle range with more seats, and a high range (usually at least double the lowest mileage redemption rate) with more or less unlimited availability assuming there are unsold seats on the flight. Delta goes to a more extreme method - flexible requirements based on route, dates, and frequent flyer status.
Nearly all major carriers allow you to redeem miles on line. If looking for seats on your program’s principal carrier (Alaska Airlines/Virgin Atlantic for instance on the Alaska Air Mileage Plan), this is a pretty straightforward endeavor. Many airlines even have a calendar feature that lists the minimum miles required between a given city pair on a given day. Flights on most partner carriers are also available for on-line booking, though you may need to call their toll-free line to call to book flights on certain partner carriers. Also remember that taxes and international fees must still be paid for when booking frequent flyer tickets, as well as any applicable checked baggage fees. In one of the more egregious situations, booking British Airways flights using Alaska Airlines miles also requires the payment of the fuel surcharge, which can be several hundred dollars – hardly a free ticket anymore - even with today's lower fuel costs.
Years ago, the common rule of thumb for determining whether a flight was worth cashing in miles for was the 2 cents per mile guideline. That is, redeeming 25,000 miles should be equivalent to booking a $500 airline ticket. These days, the rule of thumb is closer to 1 cent per mile (another reason to cash in miles when you can, since their value generally goes down rather than up!). The true bargain is cashing in miles for a business class (or even 1st class) ticket – the equivalent airfares, especially on international flights, are usually 2 to 10 times the price of a coach ticket. Business/First class tickets are sometimes easier to get and you have the chance to experience the “front cabin” for a change. Mileage requirements for the front cabins are significantly more than for a coach seat of course.
You can also use miles to upgrade a coach ticket to business or first class. Upgrades are not always available on some coach fares and the number of seats available for such upgrades is usually limited.
Mileage that you have earned by flying, using credit cards associated with the program, staying at certain hotel chains, eating at certain restaurants, booking tours, cruises, getting mortgages (yes, you read that right) and even buying groceries at the right chain, do expire if you aren’t careful. In nearly all cases, earning mileage of any amount buys you at least another year before the miles expire, but be sure to check the rules for each program, since they differ and can be subject to frequent change. Keep your boarding passes until your miles appear on your frequent flyer account. Proof of flying is often needed in case of problems crediting your account with miles flown.
When booking your flights, be sure to enter your frequent flyer information to assure that you will receive the miles – this is especially true when flying on partner airlines.
Seats available for frequent flyers usually open up 330 days in advance and seats on really popular flights can fill within days of that opening date. Other frequent flyer seats can open up at most any time, often with some available very close to the departure date.
Trains
Train travel is a great way to see the countryside without driving your own car. In some countries (Japan, for instance) or regions (Europe, for instance), the trains are frequent and speedy. The same applies to train service in the US northeast corridor (Boston to Washington DC via New York and Philadelphia). In the US long-haul markets, trains usually operate only once per day (and a few less than that) and can be relatively slow.
Amtrak, the US national passenger rail operator, offers a variety of specials, including weekly ones that they post on their website (www.amtrak.com), family deals and a variety of other discounts. If you will be doing a lot of train travel, look into the USA Rail Pass. The Pass is good for a set number of train segments over a set number of days and can represent good value if you are traveling longer distances.
In Europe, the Eurail Pass has been around for decades and can represent fairly substantial savings over regular rail fares. But they are not inexpensive, especially for adults. There is also a wide range of passes available – some are good throughout Europe, others in 3-4 countries and some only in one country. The more tailored the pass for your trip, the better the chance that it’s a good deal. The passes are generally great if you want to keep moving on or want a lot of flexibility in your train travels.
The passes can be bought through your travel agent or directly from Eurail (www.eurail.com). A site with lots of information on the Eurail pass, including how you actually use it and a map that shoes estimate segment-by-segment rail cost that can help you determine in the pass is worth it for you, can be found at www.ricksteves.com/rail/rail_menu.htm. Note that the Eurail pass is NOT good in Great Britain or for the Eurostar service between England and the Continent (but it is good in Ireland, including the ferry between Ireland and France). The Eurail pass needs to be purchased before leaving for Europe. Also note that train reservations still need to be made for travel on reserved coach trains. It is also possible to upgrade your railpass to include couchette or sleeper cars on the night trains. Taking an overnight train can save both time and the cost of a more expensive hotel room.
Train travel in Japan is an amazing experience –frequent service (up to 6 trains per hour between Kyoto and Tokyo, for instance), high speed service, and easy to navigate for English-speakers. The Japan Rail pass is definitely worth looking into – a 7 day pass can cost less than a roundtrip ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and allows you to travel anywhere in the country. Reservations are still required and can be made once you arrive in Japan. The pass itself must be purchased before leaving for Japan. For more information, see JR Rail website: www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html.
Train travel is also a possibility in other countries and regions of the world. VIA Rail offers an extensive network in eastern Canada, as well as transcontinental service and local service in many provinces. Discounts and packages are available. www.viarail.ca/en.
There are fabulous train trips out there that are worth the trip in and of themselves. The Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok or Beijing is one of the longest train trips (distance and time-wise) on the planet. Trains to Patagonia in Argentina, to Machu Picchu in Peru and the long-distance trains in Australia and China are among the many other possibilities. Check out www.seat61.com. The gentleman who runs this site is a train buff and has an amazing site full of information on rail travel throughout the world.
Automobiles
While airlines have recently discovered the world of “extras” and “fees” and “surcharges,” car rental companies pioneered the concept and have it down to a science, an arcane science for sure, but a science nonetheless. These charges are in addition to the recent trend of higher base costs. While its relatively easy to avoid car rentals in big cities (cars are usually a hindrance in places like New York, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo), there are clearly trips outside of your local area that are ideal for car travel – the New England coast, Glacier – Yellowstone –Tetons, the Everglades and Florida Keys, the west of Ireland, etc.
Reservations
Expedia and the other major reservation sites are prime territory for car rental choices, pricing and reservations. The rental car companies themselves all have reservation websites as well. Rates can vary significantly among the rental car companies. Generally speaking, it is usually less expensive to book a rental car in advance than just showing up at the rental car desk. When traveling to popular destinations during peak periods (Hawaii at Christmas, for instance), reservations are essential. Sometimes though, especially when your rental car company doesn’t have a car immediately available, it can be advantageous to walk over to the next booth and see what they have available – deals can sometimes be made.
One way to potentially save some money on car rentals is NOT to pick up the car at an airport location, but to use an off-site or downtown location. This avoids airport-imposed fees and the savings can range from modest to substantial. But it could also prove to be inconvenient. Check out the differences before booking. Also be sure to check out or ask about AAA and AARP discounts if you qualify – this will usually require booking directly with the car rental company. If a Costco member, you can book rental cars through their site at a decent savings.
As with booking airline tickets, it’s also important to remember that if you book through Expedia or similar reservation services, they can help out if there are any problems with the rental car, agreement, pricing, etc. If you book directly with the car rental company, you are on your own (though, as usual, your credit card company MAY be able to help with some disputes).
Other Car Rental Expenses
The really fun part (I’m being sarcastic) comes when you get to the rental car counter at the airport. Collision damage waivers, personal liability insurance, refueling charges and offers are all placed before you in such a way that you feel compelled to sign up for all of them, which would likely double the cost of your rental!
- Waivers and Insurance - First, before leaving home, check with your auto insurance company and your credit card company – find out what coverage they offer. Usually, you can decline some of the optional coverages because you are already covered – but check to make sure. Your credit card may also cover you when renting overseas but, again, check, since they don’t cover car rentals in certain countries, such as Ireland. It is also more likely that the rental car agent overseas will strongly encourage you, to say the least, to take out the optional insurance. So be really sure of your coverage beforehand, and if you know you will need comprehensive insurance while overseas, check out the fees from the rental car companies in advance. Some offer a comprehensive package at a not-quite-outlandish price. Expedia and other sites may also offer their own comprehensive insurance package, often at a much lower cost.
- Fuel - A new “feature” that rental car companies offer is to sell you a full tank of gas at “below market rates,” allowing you to return the car with the fuel gauge on empty. It may sound good, but there’s a 99.999% chance that there will still be some gas – 1 to 2 gallons – in the tank even if you are extremely careful in how you fill up the car during your trip. And at $3 gallon, a total of $6 of gas left in the tank represents an additional expense to you. And the odds are you will have more gas left than that. So, just remember to refuel within 10 or so miles of the airport and don’t buy the “full tank” up front.
When You Pick Up Your Car Check out the car thoroughly before leaving the rental car property. With the advent of digital cameras comes the easy opportunity of taking LOTS of photographs of the car – especially of any dents, scratches, rust, glass chips, dings, etc. Also mark the location of these on the form that the rental car company gives you before handing it over to them. Also check the lights, turn signals, horn, power windows, power seats, radio, heater, gas gauge, warning lights, and the condition of the tires. Adjust the mirrors. Start and engine and listen for strange sounds or warning lights on the dashboard. You may be responsible for any problems not noted before you leave the premises, especially if you waive the various policies that the rental company offered to you. Check the spare tire, make sure you have the company’s emergency contact information and make sure that the company’s airport office in the returning city is scheduled to be open when you return the car. While not usually an issue, some of the smaller rental car companies may have more limited hours, especially on weekends.
Be sure to ask for a map showing how to get to the nearest freeway and where to return your rental car. It may not be the same location as where you picked up the car. Also be sure to have a good map with you covering the area where you will be traveling. It is also possible to rent cars equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) systems or to bring your own from home. If the latter, be sure you’ve downloaded the appropriate maps.
Returning Your Car
If you are returning the car prior to the agreed upon date, be prepared for some surprising costs. Most weekly rentals require that you to keep the car for at least 5 days – if you return it in 3 or 4, the rate will likely convert to their normal day rate, which could be far higher than the weekly rate! Charges for additional days are usually noted on the rental car agreement, but definitely notify the company if you will be keeping the car beyond your expected return date. Also note that many, but not all, companies give a 30 minute grace period before charging for an extra hour or day. The hourly rate can be as much as half of daily rate, so try to get the car back on time.