If you like to fly, whether it be for business or for fun, do you belong to an airline’s frequent flyer program?  If not, you should join now.  Why?  Because you are missing out on a number of good opportunities.  As nice as this is to hear, why should you join an airline’s frequent flyer program?

These programs are free to join.  There is no cost when joining an airline’s frequent flyer program. In fact, registration is easy.  Most airlines will prompt you to join their program when booking your flight online.  It is quick, easy, and convenient; you have nothing to lose.

A large number of airlines have these programs available.  Most airlines in the United States have programs for frequent flyers.  The rare exception is with budget airlines.  They are designed to cheaply get you from point a to point b and that it is.  Most of the well-known airlines in the United States have free frequent flyer programs.  These include Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

When joining a frequent flyer program, you can join as many as you want.  For example, if you are known to fly both Northwest Airlines and American Airlines, join both programs.  Remember, they are free and easy to join.  With that said, review the perks offered by each program.  If one is better than the other, focus your attention on that airline.

Speaking of the perks, they are the greatest benefit of joining an airline’s frequent flyer program.  The greatest perk of all is the ability to save money on your flights.  This is done through frequent flyer miles.  Each time you fly, your miles are recorded into your account.  These miles later translate into dollars.  The more you fly, the more money you save.  Although some airlines do have a few rules and restrictions, you can use your accumulated miles to get a discount on your airfare, to get a free flight, or to upgrade to first class.

Honestly, the greatest benefit of joining a frequent flyer program is the free miles you get, which can later be redeemed.  There are additional benefits as well.  These vary depending on the program in question.  For example, Northwest Airlines not only allows you to redeem your frequent flyer miles, but you can gift or transfer them to another person!  Additional perks may include access to moneysaving hotel and car rental coupons, free airport parking, access to a VIP lounge, and so forth.  Before getting your heart set on these member benefit, read all program benefits, rules, and restrictions first.  Focus on the fine print.

When joining a frequent flyer program, some companies give you access to online tools.  For example, Delta allows you to make changes to your flight, update your account, print your tickets, and check-in from the comfort of your computer.  This is nice, but some airlines also provide these and other similar services free of charge to all passengers.  When opting between two different airlines and their frequent flyer programs, choose the program that offers you the most and best rewards.

In conclusion, frequent flyer programs have theirs pros and cons.  The worst that happens is you get email updates and mailings delivered to your home.  Since these programs are free to join and have special perks for members, give it a try.  You can close your account later if want.

When Is the Best Time to Fly?

For most individuals, the best time to fly is whenever they prefer.  However, if you are traveling on a limited budget, your preferences may be unable to dictate when you travel.  Instead, you may need to find the best deals on airfare.  So, when is it the cheapest to fly?

In the off-season.  If you are traveling to a popular vacation destination, such as Orlando, Florida or Denver, Colorado, expect to pay more during peak tourists months.  During the winter, tourists flock to Colorado to enjoy some of the best skiing in the United States.  Airlines know this, so they charge high fares.  On the other hand, Colorado isn’t so popular in the summertime, as there is no snow.  It is harder to fill flights to Denver, so the airlines offer deals and discounts.  If you can, without ruining your trip, fly in the off-season.  You could save $100 on your airfare alone.  Moreover, since it is the off-season, you should receive a discount on your car rental and hotel too.

In the early morning or afternoon hours.  Usually, airlines have early morning flights departing at five or six in the morning.  Rarely are these flights booked solid. After all, who wants to get up that early to start a long day’s journey?  If you want to save money, you should.  Remember, airlines offer discounts to fill flights.  You are more likely to get a discount on a 6 am flight than you are a 9am flight.  Afternoon flights are also a wise choice.  Vacationers usually want to fly in the morning or at night.  Some feel they waste a vacation day by departing in the afternoon, so these flights are usually less full too, meaning discounts.

Not during the holidays.  One of the most expensive times to travel by air is for the holidays.  We want to spent time with our family, especially long-distance family members.  Unfortunately, airlines know this and they try to capitalize from it.  If you were to fly home to visit your family in the middle of July, as opposed to two days before Christmas or Thanksgiving, your airfare could be hundreds of dollars cheaper.

At least three days before a holiday.  As previously stated, people want to fly home to visit family during the holidays and they do, no matter what the costs.  To save money, do not fly the day or two before a holiday, like Christmas.  These are peak travel dates; they are when most passengers are trying to get home for the holidays.  Your flight will still be expensive, but you may save $50 or more by spending an extra three days with your family.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays.  When it comes to the best days to travel, Wednesdays and Saturdays are your best option.  Mondays and Fridays are the most expensive.  Why?  People traveling for weekend getaways usually fly on Fridays.  People traveling for business tend to fly on Mondays.  They are the airlines two most profitable flying days, so avoid them.  By flying on Saturday, you miss most of the weekend warriors; remember they flew on Friday.

In short, when you travel does influence your ability to save money.  If you can be flexible the next time you fly, do it.  You may save hundreds of dollars on airfare alone.

What to Consider When Price Comparing Airfare…

If you need to travel by air, you want to save money.  After all, airlines are suffering financially.  For that reason, they have increased fares, added new fees, and put less planes in the air.  You might think this makes it harder to get a good deal, but it doesn’t.  Honestly, all you need to do is compare prices.  Price comparing is the easiest and quickest way to save money, but you should consider some factors.

When price comparing to find the best airfare, you will instinctively head to the well-known airlines, such as Delta Airlines and American Airlines.  Yes, these are companies you may know and trust, but don’t limit yourself.  Check out all airlines.  A good approach is to find the online websites for your arriving and departing airports.  Each will have a list of airlines that provide service.  You now know which companies you can fly.  Compare prices to find the best deals.

There are many ways to compare flight and prices online.  Your two most popular options include third-party travel websites and the airline companies themselves.  You should try both.  First, start with the airlines.  Perform a standard internet search to find the websites.  A search for Northwest Airlines will lead you to NWA.com, and so forth.  Request a free travel quote and record your findings.  Then, visit an online travel website.  You can also find these with standard internet searches.  Request the same travel quote.  Now, compare the prices.  In most instances, it is cheaper to book a flight directly through the airline, but it will only take a few minutes to check.

When price comparing airfare, be flexible with your dates of travel.  Experts have long said that it is cheaper to fly on a Wednesday, cheaper to fly early in the morning or in the afternoon, and cheaper to avoid the holidays.  Yes, this is true, but still be flexible.  Luckily, most airlines enable you to do so.  When requesting free travel quotes online, select the option that checks airfare a day or two before your provided dates.  You may be surprised to see there is a $100 fare difference between a Friday and a Saturday flight.

Not only do most airlines and third-party travel websites allow you to be flexible with your travel dates, but your departures and arrivals too.  For example, if you live in Western New York, you have at least three airports to choose from.  They include Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo.  Yes, it would be more convenient to depart from the airport located ten minutes from your house, but not if you can save $100 by driving 30 minutes to get to the next airport.  Always compare your airport options.  You may be surprised the difference in fares between airports located less than an hour apart.

The price you see may not be the final price.  Unfortunately, this is a big disappointment for first time travelers.  They visit the website for a budget airline or a third-party travel website and see they can travel from New York to Las Vegas for under $100.  What most don’t see right away is that this fare is usually for a one-way ticket only.  Not only that, but it does not include the cost of taxes and fees.  Don’t let a big airfare discount get you too excited.  Wait until you get the final cost.  With some airlines charging hundreds of dollars in extra fees, your cheap flight might not be so cheap after all.

How to Get Upgraded to First Class with Frequent Flyer Miles

If you are a regular traveler, you may wish to fly in first class, but what you if cannot afford the cost?  Does it mean that your dream of having seats that are more spacious and a quiet ride are tossed out the airplane window?  Not necessarily; if you are a regular flyer, you may have accumulated frequent flyer miles.  If you have, there is one trick that you can use on some airlines to sneak into first class.  The trick is buy a seat in coach and then use your frequent flyer miles to upgrade to business class or first class.

As an important note, this process is frowned upon by some airlines.  In fact, some have taken steps to prevent flyers from what the airlines call to be abusing the system.  Before relying on this method to get you into first class, proceed with caution and review the airline’s rules and restrictions.

To get started, buy a ticket in coach.  When doing so, make sure the ticket can be upgraded.  You want to specifically ask about upgrades, not transfers.  You are not transferring the ticket, as you are still the traveler in question.  You just want to upgrade to first class.  If upgrades are allowed, pay with your credit card or debit card.

When it comes time to upgrade, you have two options.  You can request an upgrade a day or two before the flight leaves or right at the airport.  Waiting until the airport does improve your chance of an upgrade.  The airline has empty seats.  They will not lose money by letting you use your miles to pay for the upgrade.  Unfortunately, if the flight is full, an upgrade is impossible.  What you can do is monitor the flight before hand.  Pretend you are requesting a first class seat on the plane.  The airlines online website will tell you, right up until the flight, if first class seats are still available.

If you intend to ask for an upgrade to first class at the airport by using your airline miles, you want to arrive early.  This tip is shared on many online websites and travel forums.  You may not be the only person who asks for a discounted upgrade with your frequent flyer miles.  For that reason, arrive and ask early.  Make sure that if anyone gets the upgrade, it is you.

Due to the poor economy and the financial troubles experienced by many airlines, some are changing their business structure.  Now, you are likely to find more filled airplanes and fewer flights.  If you are unable to get an upgrade, but are on an overbooked flight, the attendants will ask if anyone is willing to give up their seat.  Unless you are traveling for an important business meeting or a special event, wheel and deal.  See if you can get a first class upgrade, without wasting your frequent flyer miles for taking the next available flight.

One question that many travelers ask is “why can’t I just use my frequent flyer miles to purchase a first class seat?”  You can.  With that said, you use a lot more miles.  In fact, it can be more than double the miles used for a coach seat.  Moreover, since you paid for a portion of your ticket in real money, airlines are more willing to work with you.  They aren’t giving you a free ride in first class.

Save Money by Avoiding Extra Luggage Fees

If you want to save money on the cost of air travel, a good place to start is with your airline reservations.  The less you pay for a ticket the more you save.  With that said, many airlines are now increasing their fees and even creating new ones.  You will see this with luggage.  At first, airlines started charging passengers for a second bag of checked luggage.  Now, some are even charging for the first.  If you are taking an extended vacation, these extra fees can quickly add up.  So how do you eliminate them?

For starters, you must know that the fees exist.  An increase in fees is not something an airline wants to shout from the rooftops.  Most travelers showed up for their flights to learn, for the first time, it would cost $30 roundtrip for their only suitcase.  Imagine the anger.  Although these fees are well-known now, you still need to look for them.  Know if your airline charges you a fee for your first or second suitcase and how much.

As for how you can avoid or lessen the impact of these extra baggage fees:

Pack your carryon bag full.  Most airlines outline rules and restrictions for carryon bags on their websites.  You should know ahead of time how big your bag can be and how much it must weight.  Use a ruler and a bathroom scale to ensure you are just under.  If traveling for a two to three day trip, you can get away with using your carryon bag alone, provided you pack wisely.

Speaking of packing wisely, do it.  Only bring what you need.  Having four pairs of shoes for your trip to Hawaii is nice, but do you really need them all?  You should be able to get away with a pair of sandals and sneakers.  Also, research your hotel or resort ahead of time to see what you are supplied with.  Is there a curling iron and hair dryer in your room?  If so, don’t waste valuable space by bringing yours from home.

Watch the weather.  Knowing the weather forecast for your vacation destination makes it easier to pack wisely.  If you are traveling to Hawaii, see what the weather is forecasted to be like.  If rain is predicted, bring a raincoat.  If the temperatures will be above 70 your entire trip, live the winter coat at home.  Pack only what you need, especially in terms of clothes and accessories.

Opt for large suitcases.  Most airlines have strict rules on carryon luggage, but they are more lax on checked luggage.  Do you need two suitcases to hold all your clothes?  Are they small suitcases?  Head to your local department store and purchase a bigger suitcase.  Most airlines charge $25 one-way for a second suitcase.  For $50, you can easily purchase a larger suitcase that you can reuse, making it a wise investment.

Share luggage with family.  If you are traveling with your romantic partner or with your entire family, condense luggage.  This is best when charged for each checked suitcase.  Does your ten year old really need to have his own suitcase, especially if it is only half full?  Have all members of your family condense luggage into as few suitcases as possible.  Depending on the size of your family, this could save you $100 or more a trip.

Use space saving bags.  Because the commercials for Space Bags appear like infomercials, many consumers believe they don’t work.  They actually do.  Not only that, but they have bags designed for air travel.  With these bags, you place your clothes inside and apply pressure by leaning.  Watch your clothes as they shrink in size.  You can use this approach to eliminate a second suitcase.  For short trips, use these space saving travel bags in your carryon; you may not even need to check a suitcase!

Although there are many travel deals and discounts offered by airline companies and third-party travel websites, you may find yourself paying full price for an airplane ticket.  If that does happen, there are still ways that you can reduce the cost of your trip.  How?

Bring a snack with you to the airport.  Airlines have increased the cost of their onboard snacks.  Not only that, but they are expensive in airport shops.  A small bag of chips could easily cost you $2.  On the other hand, it would have been $1 or less at a nearby gas station or grocery store.  If you have a long day of flying ahead of you, pack lots of dry snacks.  They will come in handy and easily reduce the cost of flying.

Buy a drink at the airport.  Unfortunately, there are rules and restrictions in place for liquids on an airplane.  Unless you are a parent traveling with a small child, you cannot bring a drink through airport security.  Most airlines have done away with free drinks, meaning you must pay for a water or soda on the airplane.  You could easily pay at least $2 for a small can of soda.  Although it is more expensive to buy a water or soda bottle at the airport than a grocery store, it is still cheaper than paying for an in-flight drink.  At each connecting airport, buy a drink.

Eat before traveling.  At many airports, you will find fast food eateries and upscale restaurants.  Even fast food restaurants are expensive.  For example, McDonald’s is known for their dollar menu, but many airport McDonald’s do not have this cheap selection of food.  You can save money by eating a full meal at home or at a cheaper restaurant before arriving at the airport.  If you must buy a full meal at the airport, consider sharing with your partner to reduce the cost.

Bring books and magazines from home.  Not only are snacks, drinks, and meals more expensive at the airport, but so are books and magazines.  If you have a long flight, you may want some reading material.  Decide ahead of time.  Wal-Mart is known for reducing the average selling price of magazines.  You can find cheap books at Wal-Mart too, as well as the discount bins at most bookstores.  Do not pay full price or more for books and magazines at the airport.  Plan ahead instead.

Bring a portable DVD player or laptop.  If you are on a long and large flight, your airline may show an in-flight movie.  This sounds nice, until you learn that you need special headphones.  The headphones from your iPod will not work in most situations.  Most require a special connector.  These headphones usually cost at least $3.  Bringing your own laptop or portable DVD player, you save money on this fee and get to handpick what movie you watch.

Avoid extra baggage fees.  Since airlines are losing money at an alarming rate, most are increasing their fares.  Not only that, but they are also increasing and creating new fees.  Now, many airlines charge you for a second bag of check luggage and some even charge you for the first.  It is right that you are charged an extra $30 roundtrip just because you have a suitcase?  No, but it does happen.  Luckily, there are many ways you can avoid these added costs.

Condense luggage with family.  If you are traveling with your family for a family vacation, condense your luggage.  As cute as your five year old will looking dragging her own suitcase, is it really necessary?  By combining her clothes into your suitcase, you could eliminate the common $30 roundtrip charge for the first checked bag.  This approach is best done with family, as there are little safety and security risks.

Buy space saving travel bags.  We have all seen the commercials for Space Bags and other similar products.  These really do work and there are bags designed especially for travel.  Instead of using a vacuum cleaner, you seal the bag and lean on it to apply pressure.  These bags really do work.  Put your clothes inside and you reduce the need for an extra suitcase.  If you are taking a short flight, these space saving bags can help you get all of your clothes in your carry-on bag, eliminating any additional fees.

Of course, the best way to fly cheap is to get a good deal on your airline reservations.  If you are past that point, try some of the above mentioned steps; they do work.

The Pros and Cons of Vacationing in the Off Season

If you want to save money on airfare, you may turn to the internet to search for moneysaving travel tips.  One tip you will find involves vacationing in the off-season.  Apparently, it saves most travelers hundreds of dollars, just on airfare alone.  As great as this sounds, is vacationing in the off-season right for you?  To determine if so, examine the pros and cons of off-season vacationing.

The Pros of Vacationing in the Off-Season

You pay less in airfare.  The greatest benefit of vacationing in the off-season is the cheap airfare.  Why is it cheaper to fly in the off-season?  It has to do with popularity and filled flights.  Airlines lose money whenever there are empty seats on a plane.  They want to fill those seats, so they offer discounts.  As for popularity, most vacation destinations have tourists seasons and off-seasons.  The height of tourist season in Colorado is winter, as it is a ski state.  Due to popularity, airlines have no problems filling flights in the height of tourist season, but they do in the off-season.  That is why you are more likely to find deals and discounts.

You get better deals on hotels and resorts.  The possibility to save one hundred or more on airfare is enough for some tourists to hold off on making their travel plans, but what if you could also save on your hotel or resort?  It is possible when you vacation in the off-season.  Hotels and resorts offer off-season deals and discounts for the same reasons the airlines do; they lose money each time a room is empty.  It is harder to fill these rooms in the off-season, so the discounts are more frequent and more valuable.  When you calculate the money saved on airfare and your hotel, you could save thousands of dollars on an extended trip.

There are fewer tourists to deal with.  Do you want to relax on the beaches of Miami, Florida in the middle of July?  If so, you are not alone.  Luckily, those same beaches are beautiful in late spring and early fall.  If you wait until then to travel, you will find fewer tourists.  Whether you want to travel to relax or have the adventure of a lifetime, you don’t want to be one in a crowd of thousands.  Overcrowded hotels, beaches, and restaurants, are one of the quickest ways to ruin an otherwise good vacation.  By vacationing in the off-season, you still again access to great activities and attractions.

The Cons of Vacationing in the Off-Season

You may not have the freedom to decide.  If you are traveling for a vacation, you can try to work with your employer to negotiate your vacation time.  However, if you are traveling to spend time with friends and family back home or to attend a special event, such as a wedding, your hands are tied.  Although it is easy to save money by traveling in the off-season, not everyone has the luxury to dictate their travel dates.

The discount may not be that good.  You will save money by vacationing in the off-season.  This is all but guaranteed.  However, the amount you save will vary.  It depends on where you travel, which airline you fly, and your destination.  If waiting until late fall to visit the beaches of Miami only saves you $50, is it really worth the hassle?  Not likely.

The weather may hamper your vacation.  There is a reason why popular vacation destinations have off-seasons.  That reason is the weather.  New York City is a popular vacation destination, but no one wants to visit when it is covered in snow and ice.  Not many people want to visit Colorado in the summertime, as there is no snow to ski on.  In this aspect, the weather can impact your available vacation activities.  If you have your heart set on skiing the beautiful mountains of Colorado, don’t wait until the off-season.  You will get your trip and save money, but it will be nothing like you dreamed.

If you want to travel, but are turned off by the rising costs of airfare, you may consider flying with a budget airline.  These airlines come in many different formats, but most operate by a “what you see is what you get,” standard.  That is usually a cheap flight with little perks.  If your one and only goal is to save money, flying budget may seem like a good choice, but is it really?

The Pros of Flying Budget Airlines

You usually get good rates.  As previously stated, most budget airlines have cheap flights, but offer very few perks to travelers.  This is an easy way to save money.  If your goal is to cheaply get from point a to point b, you should have no problem flying on a budget airline.  As for how much money you save, it depends on the airline in question, your travel dates, and your destination.  On average, most travelers save at least $100 a trip by flying budget instead of well-known.

You have a number of airlines to choose from.  For the most part, budget airlines were a well-kept secret in the United States.  Most air travelers were familiar with the big carriers, such as American Airlines and Delta.  It wasn’t until airfare skyrocketed that passengers started examining their options more.  Most were pleased to see that not only did budget airlines exist, but there were quite a few to choose from.  In the United States, just a few of your options include Southwest, Spirit, Virgin American, JetBlue, and Horizon Air.  With a number of budget airlines to choose from, you have a good chance of saving money.

The Cons of Flying Budget Airlines

There are little to no perks.  When most of us think of perks, we think of in-flight movies, drinks, and snacks.  On occasion, some budget airlines forego these extras, but there is more.  Some budget airlines allow you to make your reservations, but you don’t choose your seat until you arrive at the airport or board the airplane.  For most travelers this is okay, but it may be risky if you are traveling as a family.  Since budget airlines focus on cheap travel, many completely forego first class.  If you want to have your perks, it may be best to avoid flying budget airlines.

You don’t always get the best deals.  For example, JetBlue was mentioned above as a good airline.  If you search for a flight between Syracuse, New York and Orlando, Florida, a big $114 pops up on your screen (at the time of this article).  You think great, as Northwest Airlines quoted you $156 for that same flight.  That is until you see the $114 isn’t for a roundtrip flight, even though you selected roundtrip from the options.  You must scroll down the page and select your return flight, which also has a price tag of $114.  This “budget,” airline is now $72 more expensive.

Some budget airlines load you down with fees.  Southwest Airlines is well-known for being a good budget airline.  Their website and commercials say “what you see is what you get.”  This means the price you see is actually the price you pay.  Not all airlines are like this.  Many have hidden fees and taxes, which you may not see until you are ready to pay for the flight.  Always read the fine print of a budget airline.  After doing so, you may see that their deals aren’t so good after all.

You have a limited number of airports to choose from.  As previously stated, there are many budget airlines in the United States.  Unfortunately, they service a limited number of airports.  The reason why budget airlines are able to offer discounted flights is because they wisely choose their destinations.  They know where travelers want to go and when.  Unfortunately, if you want to travel to Kansas, it will be hard to find a budget airline that services state airports.  On the other hand, if you want to travel to Florida, your options are virtually unlimited.

As you can see, flying budget airlines does have its pros and cons.  If you opt to give these airlines a try, price compare to ensure you really are getting the best deal, make your travel plans in advance, and arrive at the airport early.

Pros and Cons of Buying a First Class Upgrade

If you want to fly in first class, your first thought is likely to purchase a first class ticket.  This sounds like the best approach, but many travel websites offer a different form of advice.  That involves not originally booking a first class ticket.  Instead, buy a coach ticket and later upgrade to first class.  This sounds like a good way to save money, but it also sounds risky.  Is it a good idea?  To determine, examine the pros and cons of using this approach to score a first class upgrade.

The Pros of Buying a First Class Upgrade

An upgrade is cheaper.  Upgrades are offered at the last minute.  They are used for a number of reasons.  Commonly, airlines are selling tickets right up until the flight leaves; this is especially the case now as there are fewer flights in the air.  It is easier to sell a last minute coach seat than a first class seat.  If you are upgraded to first class, your cheaper seat becomes available to sell.  Airlines also encourage first class upgrades to balance the weight of a plane.

Since airlines consider upgrades a last ditch attempt to increase profits and improve safety, upgrades are cheaper.  It is usually two or three times more expensive to purchase a first class seat than a coach seat from the start.  On the other hand, you can get away with buying an upgrade for as little as $50 or $100.

You have the freedom to decide at the last minute.  Since most first class upgrades are given at the last minute, you can wait and ask.  This is provided a seat is available.  For example, you may be unwilling to pay for a first class ticket, until you see your flight is full of kids.  There is nothing wrong with traveling with small children, but you may get a rowdy bunch.  If so, your plans to relax are gone.  If this causes you worry, ask to buy an upgraded ticket.  If one is available, you should get an upgrade with a cheap price tag.

The Cons of Buying a First Class Upgrade

First class upgrades are usually offered to preferred customers first.  Regularly, these customers fly for business.  Many are frequent flyers.  Some are encouraged to use their frequent flyer miles and others are given free upgrades.  Why does an airline do this?  Preferred customers fly multiple times a year.  They generate income for the airline.  These are customers the airline wants and needs to keep happy.

They may not be available.  Since most first class upgrades are purchased at the ticket counter, there are risks involved.  The flight may be booked to capacity, including first class.  Then, you are stuck flying coach.  If you have your heart set on flying first class, it may be worth the added cost to purchase a first class ticket from the start.  Otherwise, arrive at the airport early.  The first flyers to ask for upgrades are usually the ones to receive them.

You still have to pay.  Although you do save money by opting for a first class upgrade, as opposed to booking a first class ticket, you still pay.  This upgrade fee depends on the airline and how desperate they are to fill the seats.  Make sure you are getting a good deal.  As stated above, some airlines move passengers to first class because of weight and safety issues.  How would you feel if you paid for a first class upgrade and later saw passengers being pulled into first class for free?  Always keep this in mind.

So, is waiting until the last minute for a paid first class upgrade the best choice for you?  It all depends on your personal preferences.  If flying first class is a luxury and not a necessity, try it.  The worst that happens is you are still flying in coach, but at least you are on the plane.

Las Vegas is a popular vacation destination.  It is the perfect destination for a trip with friends, your romantic partner, and even your family.  If you want to visit Las Vegas, you want to save money on the trip planning.  After all, you may lose money in the casino, so it is better to start saving now.  Luckily, it is easy to save money on a trip to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is different that many other vacation destinations.  For starters, it is one of the most popular in the United States.  Then, you have the world readily available.  There are many hotels, resorts, casinos, and car rentals to choose from.  Also, just about any airline company flying in the United States can get to you Las Vegas.   What does this mean?  There are always ways for you to save money.

The easiest way to save money on airfare for a Vegas trip is to wisely choose your travel dates.  Unlike Florida, New York, Hawaii, and other popular vacation destinations, Las Vegas really doesn’t have an off-season.  It is always packed with tourists all year round.  So, your best bet is to wisely choose the travel dates.  The cheapest day to travel is on Wednesdays.  Schedule your departing and returning flights for a Wednesday.  Mondays and Fridays are the most expensive.  You may save hundreds of dollars just by flying on a Wednesday instead.

Look for special deals and discounts from travel websites and budget airlines.  You will easily find good deals on these websites.  Many have flights to and from Las Vegas from well-known airports, like JFK, for $100 or less each way.  Many times, it is cheaper to book a roundtrip flight, but not when you find these special one-way travel deals and discounts.  Of course, you need to proceed with caution.  Some budget airlines and third-party websites do not disclose additional fees and taxes until the end.  Your low cost flight to Las Vegas might not be so low cost anymore.

Another easy way to save money on a trip to Las Vegas is to book your vacation in the form of a travel package.  Popular third-party travel websites, like Orbtiz.com and Priceline.com, have many packages to choose from.  You can handpick your vacation package.  Do you need airline reservations, a car rental, and a hotel or just airline reservations and a hotel?  There is a package available for you.  These travel websites also partner with a number of hotels and resorts in the Las Vegas area, meaning your staying options are virtually unlimited.  Although there are no firm guarantees, you can easily reduce the cost of your trip by $500 or more just by purchasing a vacation package.

In keeping with reducing your airfare, there are more ways to save money than by getting a discounted ticket.  Try to find a cheap one-stop or no-stop flight.  This limits the amount of time you spend at the airport, also reducing the money you spend.  If you have long flights or layovers, eat before you leave for the airport and pack a snack.  If traveling with family, condense luggage to reduce bags and rely on your carryon bag; pack it to capacity.  This reduces the extra fees you are charged for your first and second bags of checked luggage.  By taking the time to find cheap tickets and implementing a few of these steps, you may be surprised how cheap your trip turns out.

In short, there are many ways that you can reduce the cost of a trip to Las Vegas, especially your airfare.  Whether you want to gamble in private, catch a show with a group of friends, get married, or have a fun family vacation, you can do it in Las Vegas without breaking the bank.  Remember, price compare to find the best deals, fly on Wednesdays, and consider moneysaving vacation packages.

Are you a parent who needs to fly with your young children?  If so, you need to look for ways to save money.  Unfortunately, parents often pay full-price, if not more for their children to fly.  Realistically speaking, it should be the other way around.  So, how do you, as a parent, find cheap airfare when traveling with children?

Do not get a seat for a child under the age of two.  Most airlines allow children under the age of two to fly on the lap of a parent.  If you have a child under two, don’t pay full-price for a ticket.  Depending on where and when you are traveling, this seat could cost $400 or more!  Some airlines do charge a fuel charge for lap infants, but it is still cheaper than a single seat.

Right about now, you may be thinking it is too uncomfortable to fly with a child on your lap.  It is best if you are traveling with your spouse or another adult.  You can alternate between holding your child.  This is ideal for long-distance flights, ensuring both parents get to relax on the flight at some point.

Do not let an airline charge you extra for a car seat.  If an infant under the age of two gets their own seat, most airlines require you to have a car seat.  This car seat is for safety purposes.  Although some airlines require infant car seats, they have no problem charging you extra.  Don’t let this happen.  If you must have a separate seat for your infant, contact the airline directly and bargain.  Let them know that if they do not waive the fee for the infant care items, you will opt for a lap arrangement instead.  Once again, this can lose the airline up to $400 or more!

Ask for a discount.  If you have a small child who is over the age of two, you must buy a seat.  As previously stated, that seat could cost $400 or more.  What you need to remember is that your child weighs less than an adult, they have less luggage, and most have few travel needs.  They aren’t calling the attention of a flight attendant every ten minutes.  Technically, it costs less for your child to fly, so try to pay less.

When seeking a child airfare discount, these discounts are rarely offered online.  In fact, they are rarely offered at all.  Parents need to seek them.  Before making your airline reservations, contact the customer service department of your preferred airline.  Outright ask about a discount.  Mention the fact that your child does weighs less and will not have as much luggage.  Be very polite, but clearly state your point.  You should get a discount.

The best way to reduce the cost of flying with kids is to focus on airfare.  However, don’t discount other moneysaving areas.  It is cheaper to fly with layovers than take a direct flight.  Unfortunately, that leaves you and your kids hanging out at the airport.  We all know how expensive airport meals, snacks, and drinks are.  Eliminate this added expense.  Give your kids a full meal before leaving, pack lots of dry snacks, and share drinks bought at airport stores.

If you are traveling with one or two children, they may want their own suitcases.  As cute as they may look dragging this suitcase along, it may cost you at least $30 extra.  Now, many airlines charge for not only second suitcases, but the first one too.  Save money by condensing luggage with your family.  Will your daughter’s clothes fit into your suitcase and your son’s clothes fit into your husband’s suitcase?  If your airline charges you $15 each way for a checked bag, you save $60 total!

As you can see, there are many ways that you can save money when flying with kids.  Whether you have one child or three, don’t let the cost of flying ruin your finances.

When it comes to first class upgrades, a lot of focus is placed on convincing ticket counter agents to upgrade your flight status. Yes, this is your best chance of an upgrade, but it is never too late to get your seat moved.  There are some ways that you can score a first class upgrade after you already boarded the airplane.  How?

Complain about your seat.  When taking this approach, it is best that you have a legitimate complaint.  Is your seat cushion ripped, does the armrest not work, is the fold down lap tray broken?  If so, voice your concerns to a flight attendant.  Right away, ask if there are any seats available in first class.  If there are, he or she will likely direct you there and free of charge.

As for why you should ask for an upgrade right away, most flight attendants will not immediately suggest first class.  Their first thought is to find you another available seat in coach.  After all, that is what you paid for.  They only exception is if you take the stance of an angry customer, but this is too risky with security nowadays.  Instead of finding yourself in first class, you may end up in jail.  So, don’t wait if you have a complaint about your seat.  Mention your unhappy status and immediately ask if seats are available in first class.

Once again, this is best if you have a legitimate complaint.  A flight attendant can easily tell if you are lying.  You are stuck with these attendants on the plane.  Most will give you good service regardless, but some may remember you lied and tried to use them.  This may result in less than stellar service.

Complain about a problem with a nearby passenger.  When doing this, make sure your complaint is a valid one.  In addition, pull the flight attendant aside.  You do not want the passenger in question to hear you complaining about them.  If your upgrade to first class doesn’t go as planned, you are now stuck next to that unhappy passenger for entire flight.

When it comes to complaining about another passenger, your best option is to point out a screaming or crying child.  Flight attendants sympathize with passengers put in the next seat, as they have been there before.  This complaint increases your chances of making it into first class.  Other valid complaints involve an overweight passenger who doesn’t give you enough room, a nearby passenger wearing strong perfume or cologne, or a passenger using bad language.

Once again, you should automatically make the suggestion to move to first class.  After voicing your discord, immediately ask the flight attendant if there is a seat available in first class.  If you are flying on a large plane, most flight attendants will try to move you to another coach section.  Plant the idea in their head first.

Whether you are unhappy with your seat, a nearby passenger, or if you have another valid concern, they key is to be polite.  In most cases, passengers never consider scoring an upgrade to first class.  Instead, they take their anger out on the flight attendant.  Acknowledge you know the flight attendant is not in control of the situation.  Be polite and never blame them for the problem.  Never raise your voice or use foul language.  This will get you nowhere, except possibly pulled off the flight in handcuffs.

In short, the best way to get upgraded to first class is to buy a discounted upgrade coupon or wow the airline attendants at the ticket counter.  Take these steps if you must fly in first class, not if you just consider it a luxury.  Still, if you have a legitimate concern or complaint when onboard the plane, don’t be afraid to speak up.  As long as you are calm and polite, doing so may land you a free first class upgrade.

Flying During the Holidays:  How to Save Money

If you are one of the millions of Americans who moved away after high school, you have long-distance family.  You may only get to see your parents and siblings once or twice a year.  Usually, that is during a holiday.  Unfortunately, holidays are the worst and most expensive times to fly.  On that same note, there are a many ways that you can save money during holiday travel.  How?

Buy your ticket early.  Any other time of the year, it is easy to find last minute travel deals and discounts, but not around the holidays.  This is peak travel season and airlines know this.  If anything, they are likely to increase the price at the last minute.  They do so hoping to profit from poor planners.  If you book your flight two months before the holiday, you could easily save $100.

Not only does buying your airline tickets early save you money, but it also ensures you get a seat.  Right now, most airlines are losing money and very quickly.  To avoid bigger losses, they are increasing airfare and offering fewer flights.  Five years ago, you may have had ten Christmas flights to get you home on Delta Airlines.  This year, you may only have three.  If you wait until the last minute to make your reservations, you may find no available seats.

Play the waiting game.  It seems ironic to wait when you were just told to book your reservations in advance.  Only play the waiting game if you are planning at least four months ahead.  About three months before your travel date is the best time to find good deals.  This buys you some time.  Monitor your interested flights or setup email alerts.  Set a goal price.  If the airline does not lower their price to meet your goal after one month, go with the cheapest flight available.  This is another benefit of planning ahead, you have time to experiment and monitor.

Check other nearby airports.  Do you have at least two or three airports within a reasonable distance to your home?  What about your destination?  If you are flying home to meet your mother, chances are she will not mind driving an hour to pick you up.  If it saves you money, do it.  Although there are no guarantees, usually the larger airports have the best deals to offer.

Arrive home for the holidays early.  Usually it is very expensive to fly a day or two before a holiday, like Christmas or Thanksgiving.  If you can, arrive home a few days earlier.  Spending three extra days with your family may save you $50 or more!

Accept a bump if you can.  As previously stated, the holidays are a popular time to fly.  Since there are fewer flights, there are more overbooked planes.  If your plane is overbooked and volunteers are sought to take a later flight, try bargaining.  You may be able to get an upgrade to first class, a discount on your next flight, and so forth.  Just be sure to call your family back home to let them know you will be arriving late.

Finally, pack snacks.  Not only will this save you money at the airport, but time too.  Airports are loaded with travelers during the holidays.  This not only means long lines at airport security, but at eateries too.  Pack a snack or a bagged lunch to avoid paying for an expensive meal and having to wait in line.

How to Fly Cheap:  What the Travel Experts Recommend

If you need to fly, you may wish you didn’t have to.  This is because of the high airfare most airlines are charging.  What use to be a cheap trip across the country is now one that most Americans cannot afford.  Whether you are flying across the country or to the next state, you want to save money.  There are many moneysaving travel tips available online.  These are nice, but who has the best tips?  The travel experts and what do they have to say?

Avoid weekend departures.  This is when most people travel, as they don’t have to miss additional work.  If you can, fly on Wednesday.  Wednesday is the best and cheapest day to fly.  What are the worst?  The worst and most expensive days to fly in the United States are usually Mondays and Fridays.  Why is this?  Friday is usually reserved for the weekend warriors.  Monday flights are loaded with those traveling for businesses.  You can easily save at least $100 by departing on Wednesday instead.

Consider flying in the vacation off-season.  If you are flying to take a vacation, consider waiting.  What is your destination and when is the off-season?  For example, Florida is most popular in the winter and New York is most popular in the summer.  By avoiding these busy months, you not only save money on airfare, but your car rental and hotel too.  Why are these special discounts offered in the off-season?  Airlines have no problem filling up flights from New York to Orlando in January, as those in the Northeast want to escape the cold.  It is however, harder for them to fill the same flight in the month of July.  The Northeast now has warm and beautiful weather, so less travel.  With that said, the airline still needs to fly between these destinations.  To ensure a full flight, they offer deals and discounts.

Avoid flying during the holiday.  Although it is cheaper to depart on a Wednesday than a Friday, there is one simple way you can save money.  That is stay home for the holidays.  Airfare skyrockets around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  Why is this? Airlines know this is when Americans travel the most.  Staying home is nice, but don’t let it ruin your holidays.  If want to fly back home to spend Thanksgiving with your parents, do it.  Price compare to find the best deals and leave early.  Around the holidays, the most expensive flights are the two days before the holiday.  Arrive three to four days before Thanksgiving; you should find better airfare rates.

Book your flight at the right time.  Did you know that when you book your flight is just as important as when you depart?  Most travelers are surprised to hear this.  Travel experts state there are two good times to make airline reservations.  They are Wednesday morning and Saturday morning.  Around these times, airlines review their status for their upcoming flights.  If there are more seats to fill, cheap discounts are temporarily offered.

As you can see, there are many ways to fly cheap in the United States.  According to the experts, you should avoid holidays, fly on Wednesdays, book your flight on Wednesday or Saturday morning, and vacation in the off-season.  If you can implement these expert recommended moneysaving travel tips, do it.  You may save hundreds of dollars on airfare.

Fly Cheap:  Do Budget Airlines Save You Money?

If you are looking to reduce the cost of airfare, you may stop and consider budget airlines.  These airlines claim they have the best rates in the business.  What do you sacrifice for these rates?  It depends on their airline in question.  You may give up an in-flight snack, drink, movie, first class, or assigned seating.  If this does not concern you, you may be ready to book your travel plans.  But wait!  Do these budget airlines really save you money?  Yes and no; it depends on a number of factors.

The budget airline in question.  After a quick search online and after requesting free price quotes, you will see that not all “budget,” airlines are so budget after all.  In fact, some charge fares that are inline or more than popular and well-known companies, such as Delta and American Airlines.  As great as budget airlines are, never assume you are getting the best deal.  Most times you are, but there are no guarantees.  Determine which airlines can get you to point a and point b and then back.  Visit the online websites for these airlines and request a free quote.  If a budget air carrier is truly cheaper to fly with, make your reservations.

If your travel dates are set in stone.  Unfortunately, life happens.  It is hectic and plans change all the time.  If you book a flight with a budget airline, you want to make sure this does not happen.  It is best to schedule your reservations after you are sure of your travel date.  Why?  You are charged a fee for changing your plans.  Some budget airlines, like Southwest, charge you a fee and then hold on to your money.  This money can be transferred to a new ticket within twelve months.  If you don’t use it, you lose it.  For many first time travelers, this seems risky and shady.  Yes, it is a pitfall to flying on a budget airline, but not if you are 100% sure about your travel dates and time.

The price you see upfront may not be the actual price.  Most well-known airline companies, such as Northwest and Delta, let you know your fees and taxes upfront.  For example, you search for a flight.  Each of your options appear on the screen.  The large price is your flight price.  The smaller printed price is the total of your flight after taxes and fees are included.  You know this information right up front.  You rarely do with budget airlines.  It usually takes you two or three pages, after seeing your flight options, before you see the total for fee and taxes.  So, don’t get excited right away if you can fly between Las Vegas and New York for $89 each way, as this is not the final ticket cost.

If you are traveling to a popular vacation destination.  Budget airlines keep their fees low, hence the name.  There are many ways they do this, including eliminating many perks for passengers.  They also carefully choose the airports they service.  Ohio is a great state, but it isn’t one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.  So, if you need to fly to Ohio, you may be unable to find a budget airline that can get you there.  Your chances of flying budget and getting the lowest fares increase with the more popular destinations you choose.  Luckily, most budget airlines are known for their no or one-stop flights to popular vacation destinations, like Las Vegas, Florida, and New York.

In short, budget airlines are doing a good thing.  They are working hard to provide customers with cheap ways to fly.  If you are more concerned about saving money and getting from point a to point b, you should consider flying budget.  If you want the perks that come with being an air traveler, it is best to go with the airlines you know and trust.

Easy Ways to Fly Cheap…

Do you need to travel by air?  Whether you must attend a special event, like a wedding, want relax and hangout with old friends and family, or just have the adventure of a lifetime, you want to save money.  Right?  Don’t you want a cheap flight?  With the tough economy and the fact that airlines are losing money at an alarming rate, many consumers mistakenly believe the days of cheap and affordable airfare are gone.  They aren’t   You just need to know where to look and how to find these cheap rates. How?

Compare airlines.  Unless you are flying out of and flying into a very small airport, you should have at least three different air carriers to choose from.  Most can choose from at least five.  Visit the websites of well-known and budget airlines operating in the United States.  You can do this with a standard internet search.  Then, request a free travel quote for your intended dates of travel.  You should get varying results.  Compare your findings.  Which airline will get you to and from your destination the cheapest?

Compare online travel websites.  Typically, it is cheaper to book a flight directly through the airline, but not always.  It will not hurt to visit third-party travel websites, like Orbitz.com.  Use the same information you entered above to get a price quote directly from the airlines.  Which way is it cheaper for you to book your flight?  Don’t forget to include the cost of taxes, fees, and so forth.

Don’t give up.  As previously stated, you should check and request free airfare quotes from all airlines directly and third-party travel websites.  Yes, this does sound like a lot of work and it is, but it is very easy.  The internet allows you to move around quickly.  It should take less than an hour for you to get airfare rates from all popular travel websites and all airlines.  Keep going because the last place you visit may be the one to save you the most money.

Signup for email alerts from airlines and travel websites.  Technology is cool.  Most of us internet users rely on technology and airlines are now starting to embrace it too.  Are you a regular traveler or someone who only flies when you get a good deal?  If so, signup for email alerts.  Most third-party travel websites and now some airlines offer them.  In some cases, you can customize your alerts to include moneysaving discounts for specific states, airlines, and airports.  If you like getting last minute travel deals, this simple step can make it happen.

Be flexible with your travel dates and times.  Typically, mid-day and overnight flights are the best.  People avoid these flights because they are an inconvenience.  No one wants to be on a plane overnight because it is hard to sleep.  Vacationers don’t want to lose a valuable afternoon of their vacation, so they fly early.  If you can be flexible, you can save money.  With many airlines, you are able to shave $100 or more from your flight by departing Wednesday, as opposed to Monday or Friday.

Book your reservations in advance.  Many travelers hold out for last minute travel airfare deals.  Yes, these do exist, but they are risky right now.  Since many airlines are losing money, some have reduced their flights.  Since there are fewer planes in the air, those that are up there are fuller.  You may be unable to find a flight with an empty seat at the last minute.  Not only that, but not all airlines offer last minute travel deals and discounts.  Some even raise the price!

Finally, getting a cheap airline reservation isn’t the only way to reduce the cost of your flight.  To save money, familiarize yourself with your airlines baggage fess.  Did you know that some airlines now charge for your first checked back of luggage? Many do.  If traveling with family, condense luggage to reduce the suitcases.  Only pack what you need, rely on your carryon bag, and use space saving travel bags.

If you want or need to travel in the coming months, you may turn to online travel websites.  These popular websites, which include PriceLine.com and Orbtiz.com, are a great way to book a trip.  In fact, many have special deals and discounts.  For some individuals, these deals and discounts can save hundreds.  For others, there are no savings.

Are the airfare deals offered by most online travel websites a good deal for you?  It all depends.  To decide, examine their pros and cons.  Then, apply them to your own personal situation.  After doing so, you have your answer.  So, what are the pros and cons of the airfare deals offered by most third-party travel websites?

The Pros of Online Travel Website Deals

You have a number of online travel websites to choose from.  As stated above, PriceLine.com and Orbtiz.com are two popular travel websites.  They are not your only options.  Perform a standard internet search with the phrases “travel websites” or “travel deals,” and you will be surprised with the results.  Orbitz.com and other similar websites tend to specialize in domestic and international travel.  You can also find websites that deal with specific vacation destinations, such as Hawaii, Florida, or the Caribbean.

You have a large number of travel deals and discounts to choose from.  As previously stated, there are many online travel websites to use.  Most offer moneysaving deals and discounts.  In fact, it is common for one website to offer at least ten deals.  Some can be for last minute airfare; others can be for vacation packages, and so forth.  Your best chance of finding a good deal is to examine each online travel website and their moneysaving offers.  It will take time as there are many, but you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars on your next trip.

You should save money.  Since travel deals and discounts are designed to save you money, they should.  The only tricky part is finding a special deal on airfare that gets you to where you need to go.  For example, if you are flying to a little-known city in Idaho, your chances of finding an amazing airfare deal is slim.  Most often, these deals are offered for popular destinations, such as Las Vegas, New York City, and San Francisco.  As long as your destination is popular and serviced, you should get a good deal and save money.

The Cons of Online Travel Website Deals

Most of the discounts are for last minute trips.  Airlines want to fill their flights.  They lose money each time a seat is empty.  As the flight date approaches, they offer discounts directly to travelers and to third-party travel websites.  For that reason, most of the “amazing,” deals and discounts you will find are for last minute travel.  If you are flying to attend a special event, like a wedding or an important business meeting, it can be risky to wait.  These last minute deals are ideal for those who have money to spend and vacation time to use.

These travel deals and discounts rarely last long.  For most, it is going, going, and gone.  For example, say it normally costs $399 to fly roundtrip from New York to Las Vegas.  If an online travel website offers one-way flights to and from the same destination for only $99 one-way, there is a great potential to save money.  Since many travelers want to save that money, the available seats on the cheap flights will be snatched up quickly.  When you find a good travel deal or discount on a third-party website, there isn’t much time to do research.  You usually need to act now.

In short, online travel websites do offer many deals and discounts.  If you can find a flight that applies to your travel wants or needs, take the offer.  You can save money.  With that said, third-party travel websites are known for adding extra fees.  Read the fine print before making your reservations.  Ensure your cheap flight will stay that way.

Cheap Airfare:  Should You Book Early or Late

If you need to fly, the cost is likely to be a turn off.  Watch the news and read financial reports; you will see that airline companies are in financial trouble.  Many are barely staying afloat.  What does this mean for you?  It means higher airfare.  If you want to save money and find a cheap flight, you may wonder whether you should book your trip in advance or wait until the last minute.  Each option has their pros and cons.

The greatest benefit of booking a flight early is the preparation.  If you are planning a vacation, you not only need to make your airline reservations, but reservations for a car rental and hotel too.  For some travelers, it is too nerve-wracking to wait until the last minute.  And, the price difference varies from airline to airline.  Some airlines offer $100 or more discounts for last minute travelers, some offer a measly $25 discount, and others actually increase the price.  If you are the type of person who needs to plan, go ahead and do so.

Another benefit to booking your airline reservations early is that you are guaranteed a seat.  As previously stated, most airlines are in financial trouble.  To save money, they have not only increased fares, but cut flights.  There are now fewer airplanes in the air.  The planes that are flying are usually booked full.  If you wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations, your flight options may be limited.  This will not happen if you book early.  In fact, you should have a number of flights to choose from.  Are you traveling with kids?  Choose the trip with the fewest and shortest layovers, so you aren’t stuck in an airport with bored kids, and so forth.

As for waiting until the last minute to book your airline reservations, you may find good deals.  It all depends on when you look.  Towards Saturday morning, you are likely to find the best deals on last minutes flights.  Airlines just reviewed their flight lists.  They are trying to fill all empty seats.  To increase appeal, they offer better discounts.  This is your chance to save money and get a cheap flight.

Your reasons for travel should also be considered.  If you are traveling and staying with friends and family, you can be flexible with when you make your travel plans.  However, if you are looking to attend a special event and must make hotel reservations, keep these in mind.  You do not want to wait until the last minute to book your airline reservations only to find that nearby hotels are booked solid.  Yes, you may have gotten a good deal on the tickets, but now your entire trip is thrown out of order.

So, should you book your flight early or wait until the last minute?  Honestly, it all depends on your personal preferences.  If you have to plan ahead for your sanity, do it.  If you don’t want to take any chances, book your flight early.  If you wish, monitor the airfares for your flight.  Although airlines are under no obligation to refund you the difference, you can attempt to get that refund.

Since it is risky to book your flight too early and too late, it is best to familiarize yourself with other moneysaving tactics.  For starters, price compare.  Unusually, multiple airlines can get you to your destination.  Price compare to find the best deal.  Next, avoid flying on the weekends and holidays.  Flights departing on Wednesday to the same destination are usually $100 cheaper than flights that depart on Monday or Friday.  Also, consider other ways to save.  Do not fall victim to the high fees passengers are charged for snacks, drinks, pillows, and blankets.  Bring your own.  Even if you pay $2 for a 20-ounce bottle of soda at the airport, it is still a better value than buying an in-flight drink.

5 Ways to Get Upgraded to First Class

If you rarely fly, you may mistakenly believe that first class seats, also commonly known as business class seats, are only for the rich.  They are expensive, so only the rich must be able to afford them.  This is not true.  Did you know that many of the people sitting in first class did not pay full price for their ticket?  In fact, some are relaxing in first class with a free upgrade from coach.  How does this happen?  How can you get an upgrade to first class?

1 – Pay for an Upgrade

When it comes to paying for an upgrade, you have two options.  Most airlines enable flyers to upgrade their seats to first class on their website.  If you monitor your flight and know that first class is quickly filling, you may want to upgrade your seats in advance.  You can usually do this on the airline’s reservation website or over-the-phone with a representative.  You can also upgrade at the airport ticket counter.  When checking in, ask if there are first class upgrades available for sale.  If there are, purchase an upgrade.  They are usually cheaper at the airport and at the last minute.

When it comes to paying for your first class upgrade, you have two options.  You can pay the traditional way with a credit or debit card.  If you are an avid flyer and have accumulated frequent flyer miles, use these to pay for the difference.  While it seems like a hassle, you save more money than just using your miles to buy a first class seat.

2 – Ask for an Upgrade

Whether you want to pay for a first class upgrade or not, just ask.  It all depends on how you ask, who, and when.  If you ask the airline representatives at the check-in counter, you will likely have to pay for your first class ticket.  These individuals specialize in making and changing reservations.  If you want a free upgrade to first class, wait until you are inside airport security.  This group of airline workers takes your tickets.  Before the flight boards, just ask if there are any additional first class seats available.  If there are, you may get a free first class upgrade.

3 – Be Nice

When it comes to asking for a first class upgrade, whether you pay for it or want it free, be polite.  You must be on your best behavior.  Even if first class seats are available, flight attendants are under no obligation to provide upgrades, especially free upgrades.  The key is to be polite.  Right now, most airlines have low approval ratings.  Customers are upset with the long lines, airport security, rules and restrictions, and high airfare.  Many take their anger and frustration out on flight attendants and ticker counter representatives.  Being polite not only puts a smile on their face, but it may get you an upgrade.

4 – Volunteer

This approach is hit or miss, but there are times when flight attendants must scatter the weight on a plane to balance it.  This is a safety issue.  In small flights with first class, this can result in passengers from coach being put in first class for free.  Many times, flight attendants ask for volunteers or seek out passengers flying alone.  If this happens on your flight, be one of the first to volunteer.  Since you are doing the flight attendants a favor by volunteering to relocate, you get a free first class upgrade.

5 – Get Bumped

Most times, getting bumped from a flight is an air traveler’s worst nightmare.  Not everyone is traveling to relax or see friends and family.  Many travelers are on a strict deadline.  These individuals may be flying to attend an important business meeting, see a sick relative, or attend a special event.  If you are traveling just because, offer to be the person bumped from an overbooked flight.  With that said, state you want something in return.  That is a free upgrade to first class.  Most flight attendants and ticket counter representatives will quickly accept your offer.