...tips and tricks from Cheapest Flight International

At first finding a cheap air ticket (low cost travel agents, no-frills flight, cheap budget airlines etc) seems straightforward enough... type in the departure, the destination, the dates you want and press the submit button. Three minutes later there’s a list of the 20 best offers (in price order) that you can choose from. Pick the lowest priced flight, book on line and start packing your bags, ready for your well-deserved holiday or weekend vacation and forget about everything else. We've created a list of things to check when choosing a holiday:

Charter flights and scheduled flights [BACK TO TOP]
With a few exceptions most flight-only long haul and business flights are scheduled - tickets distributed to travel companies by all the major airlines to sell on their planes. Charter flights are organized by the big travel tour operators who transport their package holiday customers to all the main popular tourist spots - Spain, Majorca, the Canary Island and so on and only operate between the 'peak seasons' (April-September for beach; December-April for ski). Scheduled flights are usually sold with one or two week hotel accommodation and although most seats are sold some are offloaded to travel consolidators who buy them in bulk to sell on.

Book early [BACK TO TOP]
Unlike package holidays, the nearer to departure yo book, the more you will end up paying, because scheduled airlines operate on a yield basis, which means that as bookings rise so do fares (remember the guy sitting next to you who always got it cheaper than you). Flights booked three-four weeks in advance will get you the best deals, but also, even booking seven days prior to your journey may be cheaper than five - SO BOOK AHEAD.Be Flexible
You know the destination and you know the days you've booked off work. But how far in front do you need to tell your boss, and how flexible will your company be with your holidays - because that's what the airlines want to know too. As a general rule midweek flights are often cheaper than those at the weekend and if you are flexible enough to fly indirect or leave at an anti-social hour (this may require you to investigate fully your arrival airport - don't be stranded at 3am in the middle of a lonely and unknown destination) airfare prices are likely to be less.

Think different [BACK TO TOP]
Just because you are planning to relax on the golden shores of Koh Chang doesn't mean you have to fly to Bangkok - if you are seriously into saving money, try a direct flight to Vietnam and then a cheap train ride across the Eastern seaboard - and Europe in particular with its vast reliable rail network and cross-border visa could make for a memorable money saving experience.

Check the Airport's location [BACK TO TOP]
It may seem obvious that the airport is located in the centre of the city that it's actually named after but it is worth checking to make sure that you are not going to be landing 25km away on an weekend trip to find that there are no regular buses leaving for your hotel until six hours later (information related to you by the only taxi driver there - a bearded hostile giant who has just offered to drive you for €25). Also, see your own local airport's departure prices, because even if a major airport is cheaper the cost and time to get there may work out much more expensive in the long run.

Be careful booking multi-leg journey [BACK TO TOP]
Low cost, cheap airlines are touch-touch - even if you are connecting with the same airline you are not guaranteed to get re-booked if you miss your designated plane. In winter, flight delays are most common and the airline could charge you as much as your whole ticket originally cost to re-book.

Not bothered where you go [BACK TO TOP]
If you are not particular about your destination then you can scoop up fantastic deals - that doesn't mean a late cancellation to a semi-finished Greek apartment complex - but an array of the yet-to-be tested corners of the world - check out the small beautiful fishing village just outside the main city. Be creative and you can spot those little gems hidden in the shadows.

Cheap is not always the best [BACK TO TOP]
Always consider your priorities and weigh them against the cost of your flight - direct connection, leg room, meal allowance, seat pitch or entertainment.

Here's a few points to remember [BACK TO TOP]

	Luggage allowance? (sometimes 20kg sometimes 30kg)
	Can the return date be changed? Free or charged?
	Airport? (for Londoners, etc. Heathrow or Gatwick?)
	Maximum stay? (some tickets are only one month) Direct flight or change flights in transit? (can add up to 8 hours on journey time!)
	Seat pitch on plane (if you don't want the passenger's head in front right in your face for 12 hours!)
	Entertainment system (personal tv or movie screen - important for some)
	Daytime or night-time flights (for 12 hour flights it is easier to sleep on a night-time flights)
	Weekday/weekend flights? (some want to travel weekends to maximise there leave)
	Pay full ticket price up front with no refund or a £50 deposit allowable? (some cheap tickets the full price must be paid immediately)

Try Something New [BACK TO TOP]
You want to go to Greece, you've been on the Greek Tourist Board's website, you've told all your friends you will be there and you've promised to bring them back some Ouzo. However, you've just spotted a direct flight into Estonia for the price of two lagers and a B+B for not much more. If you're willing to bring in that pot-luck adventurous 'let's see' attitude to traveling you should be able to have a fabulous time on a real tight budget. And save Greece 'til next year.

To summarize [BACK TO TOP]
However, its not really that simple, there are many facets and sometimes complex factors that can determine the final checkout cost - legroom, flexibility, availability, destination popularity airport distance and even local taxes all bear some sway when totting up the credit charge.

In short, how much is cheap to you and how much luxury do you need, because remember; saving money is fantastic, but the plane journey is also a part of your holiday experience and if you are flying long haul arriving fresh and relaxed after 24 hours traveling my just be worth that extra 25%! Above all, enjoy your trip! If you have any suggestions or comments that you feel maybe of help to fellow travelers, please send them to our Web Editor.
weditor@cheapestflightinternational.com