Hacker’s Guide to Cheap Travel
Most people who have travel tips that work, never release them! Why would they want to risk having their key to cheap travel closed?
We’ll I’m going to share the tips my travel agent friend gave me with you. Why you ask? Well I have enough airmiles to last a lifetime and my status as a ‘frequent flyer’ cannot be any higher. So basically…I don’t need to use these tips any more.
Follow my tips and you may not need them for much longer either. Vacation more often for less money!
1. Join a Frequent Flyer Program
Most frequent flyer programs are free so there is no reason why you cannot be a frequent flyer with every airline you fly with. And many airlines share memberships so you can collect miles on a single memebership, (for example, Asia Miles membership is available at asiamiles.com and can be used on a dozen or more airlines).
If you find yourself flying one airline more than others, spring and pay for a ‘premium membership’. For example, Cathay Pacific’s free frequent flyer program is Asia Miles and their premium frequent flyer program is called the Marco Polo Club. After flying with them for a few free flights, I received free business and first class lounge access at all airports when I fly economy, (free food and drinks including booze).
Frequent flyer program members are also offered free upgrades first when flights are full.
2. Price Shop Online
Check popular online sites like expedia.com or travelocity.com and search for the tickets/hotel you would like. Once you have done this, DO NOT BOOK YET! Call the airline and/or hotel that you have selected and tell them that you “calling to confirm availibility and if you are able to get a better deal if you book directly with them instead”. Booking agents usually receive a commission so they’ll do whatever they can to get you a better deal!
3. Board ALAP
Board your flight AS LATE AS POSSIBLE! If you board you flight as late as possible, you stand a chance that your economy seat will have been reassigned to someone who is flying on standby. Leaving you a seat avaiable in business or first class without paying the big bucks!
4. Travel Light and Flexiable
All fights are generally over sold, (because airlines are expecting a few no-shows); the percentage of seats over sold by vary by airline. If you are flexiable with your travel times, an airline may ask you take a later flight in return for free flight vouchers for future flights, (and may put you up in a hotel if the layover is ling enough). They’ll award this to passengers who have no check baggage first so ensure you fly light.
Important: Ensure you get your voucher before you give up your seat; I’ve heard of stories where people have been offered vouchers when they reach their destination but never received them!
5. Search for Online Codes
Google is man’s best friend. Before booking a flight, hotel, cruise, or other vacation package, do a google search using key words such as ‘flight coupon code’, ‘vacation coupon code’, ‘Southwest Airline promo code’, ‘cheap cruise promotional code’, etc…I’m sure you get the picture. Basically you are looking for a coupon code that will allow you to get a special discount when booking your flight, (to be entered when checking out in the ‘promotional code’ field in the shopping cart).
Thanks for reading and happy travels!
May 9th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
www.priceline.com remains the best for cheap accommodation in the US, in my opinion. I got a $500 room at the Westin St Francis in San Francisco for $60 plus taxes via priceline. It included 2 queen-sized beds, and magnificent view over Union Square.