Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


A special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has been long regarded as the gateway to the nation. Hong Kong is a sprawling cityscape providing a feast of attractions to visitors touring the city in the form of a variety of museums, theme parks, and natural attractions, among many others.

However, its magnificent attractions are the not only thing that draw people from across the world here. The city also provides excellent options for business and educational activities. Many travelers including Americans and Europeans can savor the first taste of Asia by landing at the international airport in Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong.

Traveling to Hong Kong has never been so easier, with a plethora of budget airlines in the scenario. Earlier, air travel was just confined to upper class people including top class executives as well as business magnets. But, with the birth of the budget airlines, anyone could dream of a comfortable air journey. In other words, budget airlines have now become a convenient alternative over shaky buses, inept trains, and traffic-jammed highways.

Budget airlines, otherwise known as no frills airlines, low cost carriers, or low cost airlines, are airlines or flight carriers providing flight services for exceptionally low rates. Sometimes you can travel with a budget airline for more than 50% discount.

The concept of no-frills airlines originally originated during the beginning of 1990s in the US, which later spread to Europe and gradually to Asian destinations. Now the budget airlines are popular throughout the world, and many of the leading as well as reputable airlines in the industry render low cost airline services and that too without sacrificing the quality of the services.

In budget airlines, the pricing of air fares vary depending upon the duration of time between booking and departure. Mostly, the earlier you make bookings for airfare, much cheaper would be the airfare. Likewise, in order to fill the unsold seat in the plane, some airlines would slash the price prior to a few days before its departure.

A specialty of most of the budget airlines is that they cater to almost all types of travelers. For instance, some airlines operate budget flights according to the convenience of the business travelers. There are certain airlines providing incredible deals on air fares for students as well as leisurely travelers. In most cases, budget airline fares are flexible, al though, in some instances, these airlines may charge a nominal fee to make changes in flight reservations.

A number of airlines are in the industry to render you the best in budget travel. With these excellent airlines providing bespoke services. A budget airline provides almost the same superb services that a standard airline offers, such as excellent dining options, superb entertainment facilities, and comfortable as well as soft cabins. Additionally, some of the budget airlines render special services for passengers such as elderly travelers, children traveling alone or not accompanied by their parents, pregnant as well as passengers flying with infants, and passengers who have visual, speech, or hearing imparity.

With the introduction of the internet, it has become quite easy to find a budget airline. Many of the airlines have their own websites with facilities for online ticket booking. This in turn is very convenient. It is not only beneficial for hassle-free bookings but also enable you to know whether they provide any kind of discount or deals for traveling within a stipulated period or during a particular season such as Christmas or New Year.

All you have to do is to just log into their website and inform them regarding the destination you are going to travel and date of departure. All of the rest they will take care. In addition, airfare bookings online is economical, as it enables you to save pennies on issuing tickets. The airlines, in most cases, sent confirmation through a simple document containing flight details as well as booking reference. When you make payments and bookings online, it allows you to easily take a print out of this document as soon as the booking process is completed. In short, with just a click of a mouse you can make bookings for a comfortable air journey.



Virgil

John Thompson asked:


Being a student is not just about studying but also entails critical lessons in life of how to manage on a budget and how to travel when broke. Finding a low cost and affordable airfare for travel is a big challenge for any student.

But do not lose heart. There are ways for you, as a student, to get inexpensive airfares and commute to all those exotic locales you always wanted to. Just follow the points given here, and you might find the airfare just right for you.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS: As a full-time student you have the option of booking student-only fares. You do not have to book the same tickets as everyone else. Generally speaking, student fares are often cheaper for global travel while regular fares tend to be lower for national travel.

Do remember that student fares are usually more flexible, allowing you to change your travel dates or cancel your flight at a small fee. You can also and stay in your destination for up to a year before returning. Regular tickets, on the other hand, are nonrefundable and non-changeable, and cause you to return within 30 days.

BUYING SPREE: Dont expect to book your student tickets anywhere. The finest places are student transportation agencies, the airlines, and online travel-booking sites.

The student travel agencies allow you to speak directly with their travel agents and they will advise you on the minimum fares, the various options, and even help you finalize your itinerary.

The cheapest regular fares are often sold directly through the airlines’ own websites, where you can access sale fares that might not be available through other providers. Several low-cost airlines offer lower fares than the regular airlines. However, the downside to low-cost carriers is that most have more limited flight networks and may not offer the destinations you want.

As a student you can also compare fares on a multitude of airlines at the same time by using an online travel-booking site such as Orbitz, Expedia, or Travelocity. These sites are good because they help you to set a price benchmark for your itinerary. They will help you choose the cheapest days to fly. Orbitz, for example, has partnered with Student Universe, an online travel site for college students and faculty.

Students or teachers register with a “.edu” e-mail address, which is verified before they qualify to receive travel discounts. Choices of airline or departure time may be strict, but the savings can be worth it. They also have useful tools that can help you determine the cheapest days to fly.

These sites are rather limiting in that they do not always have access to the airlines’ cheapest fares, and all add a booking fee to each purchase. So, these sites can be used just get an idea of what’s accessible and then go to airlines’ websites to book.

SHOP AROUND: Never make a choice immediately. Shop around and compare all options around before making a decision. As a student you should consult with one or more of the student-travel agencies to check the prices of student fares and then do an online search of the airline websites and online travel-booking sites to find regular fares.

Remember that being flexible is the key to the game. The more flexible you are about when you fly and which airport you use, the better your chances of finding an inexpensive ticket. When searching for the right fare for you, try looking for flights on different dates; sometimes flying even a day earlier or later than your original travel dates.

This can save you a lot of bucks. You can also consider searching for fares from other airports or smaller secondary airports. Even though secondary airports may take a bit of travel to get to, you’ll often pay much less to fly to or from these places.

POPULARITY DOESNT PAY: You can find cheaper flights by flying to a state during a less busy time of the year and less busy times of the day. Do remember that popular destinations such as Europe and Australia have distinct high seasons for travelers. It is at times like these that the prices of the air tickets go up If you can commute to a place when it’s less widely known to visit, you may be able save over half the cost of the ticket or even more!!

Similarly, which days of the week you choose to fly and when you choose to travel throughout the day can also make a difference? Midweek flights Monday through Thursday have a propensity to be cheaper, and red-eye or midday flights can also cost a reduced amount of.

Web-only fares are yet another category of special deal fares available only through the Internet. For even deeper discounts, look for Weekend Web Fares. Airlines trying to unload inventory release these fares early Wednesday morning for travel beginning Thursday, Friday or Saturday and returning Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM: Being an early bird does pay. Flights on widely used routes fill up swiftly. If you book early, you may be able to lock in a fare with a lower surcharge. For general domestic travel, it’s a good idea to book at least 21 days ahead of schedule.

By mastering these essential lessons you, as a student, will be able to plan low-priced air trips over the years, without having to bother about your financial state.



Damrey

Manoj Gursahani asked:


The continuing fare tussle between the Indian Railways and the low-cost airlines in India has changed the contemporary scenario for the Indian traveller. A ticket on India’s low-cost carrier (LCC) has made flying an affordable reality for the hordes of Indians travelling across the country.

It has taken some time for the low-cost airline industry to carve a niche for themselves, but the wallet-friendly LCCs are here to stay.

When Air Deccan entered the markets with a bang-with prices competing with the AC II-tier train fares, the response from the leading domestic airlines like Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines was immediate. Slashed rates and Advanced Purchase schemes (Apex) swiftly began to take shape, resulting upto 30 to 40 per cent slashed fares for apex fares compared with the original prices.

Barely a year after Air Deccan took off came the launch of Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines, followed by SpiceJet and GoAir. Today the number of LCCs has multiplied from three to a dozen in a matter of months. Since the entry barriers are low, players such as Paramount, IndiGO (Interglobe), Yamuna Air or Kerala Airways, have already filed flight plans.

Continuing a steady progress, LCCs are slowly eating into the aviation market share, capturing almost one third of the total market.

However the dip in market share does not necessarily mean a drop in the number of passengers or revenues for the mainstream airlines, as the size of the air travel segment has also been increasing. In the market driven by the LCCs- with about half of the passengers being first-time air travellers, there’s a bigger pie for everyone.

But the biggest loser so far has been Indian Airlines. Even after its recent makeover called Indian, it has been left with a market share of only 23.88 per cent while the potential Jet-Sahara combine controls 45 per cent. As a result, it is exploring the possibility of jumping into the low-cost fray by merging Air-India Express, the low-fare arm of A-I with Alliance Air, the decade-old subsidiary servicing tier II cities.

However this fairy tale of low cost airline surge is still in its initial stages.

In Europe, North America and Australasia, most successful low cost airlines have operated primarily in domestic, or unrestricted international markets. The LCCs in India on the other hand, have to operate in a highly regulated environment. This is likely to get compounded with the surge in aviation fuel prices over the past year and the plummeting infrastructure with congestion in airports, lack of landing facilities and parking slots, and increasing staff costs driven by internal competition.

These non-frill LCCs are characterised by few on-board services and elimination of catering. But for the Indian travellers accustomed to travelling in the crowded trains for long hours, the aggressive tariff structure by the LCCs, costing nominally higher than the AC II-tier by train, is becoming a popular alternative. And with the LCCs now actively targeting the middle-class travellers, the Indian skies are slowly but surely opening up to the one billion plus Indian population.



Rebekah

Ann Locicero asked:


The no-frills airline, launched by Southwest in the 1980s, is no longer a U.S. phenomena. Low cost carriers are popping up around the world. They are taking over domestic and international routes throughout Europe and Asia and select routes in South America, Africa and the Middle East. A few even operate intercontinental flights. And many are profitable.

Yet there is a flip side to cheap tickets. Travelers can spend a significant amount of time scouring the web for the best deal. Not all countries have a low cost carrier and not all airports are serviced by a discount airline. Many low-fare companies cannot be booked through on-line agencies or consolidators, such as Expedia, Orbitz and Lastminute. Promotional offers are usually limited and expire on a daily if not hourly basis. And when you finally find a flight, it is difficult to compare the offering.

The following tips will reduce your search time and prepare you for any additional travel time.

Research

• Determine which carriers service the route you wish to fly. Many airport web sites include a route map as well as a list of carriers. Alternatives will only become apparent if you check the web site of both airports, arrival and departure.

• If you are traveling abroad or within a foreign country or continent, identify local on-line agencies and consolidators of discount airfares.

• Low cost carriers often use secondary airports. Verify distance and ground transportation before you book. Most low-fare carriers and many consolidators provide such information on their web sites.

• Many low-fare carriers offer point-to-point service. It may not be possible to check-in for a second flight at a transit desk. Thus you may need to build-in time between flights to accommodate any passport formalities, claim your luggage and check-in for the second leg of your journey.

• Security precautions introduced by major credit card companies may limit your ability to book flights on foreign web sites.

Getting the best deal

• Initiate your search with on-line agencies and consolidators.

• Subscribe to the airline and to the consolidator’s newsletter.

• Utilize services that enable you to set a price, such as the Orbitz “Deal Detector”. Orbitz will send an email if fares on the route you select drop to the price level you set. The service is available for free.

• Use the consolidator as a tool. Book directly with airline. This may reduce the service charge without affecting the fare.

Comparing fares

• Low cost fares are often quoted on a one-way basis.

• Taxes, handling fees and other surcharges are not always included in the initial price. Click through to the final page to effectively compare cost.

• Airfare may be quoted in the airline or consolidator’s local currency only. Converting fares to a single currency will facilitate comparison.

Before you depart

• Pack a lunch or a snack and drinks for all. Food and drinks are no longer included in the price of the ticket!

• Arrive at the airport early if you want to sit next to your companion and the kids. Seating is likely to be open and boarding is oftentimes based on the order in which passengers’ check-in.

Copyright © more2explore S.r.l. All rights reserved.



Howard

Wolfgang Jaegel asked:


Budget Airlines, also known as low cost airlines, discount carries, or no frill airlines, have revolutionized the way the people travel. With the introduction of the budget airlines, even a common man can now dream of air travels, which was once just confined to upper class people as well as business executives.

A budget airline is simply a category of airlines that render low fare services via cutting off majority of traditional passenger services. In other words, budget airlines are flight carriers that provide services at exceptionally low rates. Sometimes, budget airlines could even fetch you more than 50% discount.

The concept of budget airlines was first introduced in the United States. During the 1990s, it spread to Europe, and later gradually to Asian destinations. Now this concept has become popular across the world.

Today, many of the reputable airlines in the scenario provide low cost airline services and that too without sacrificing the quality of services. Budget airlines generally make available low fare services through adopting certain practices, such as, providing food options to be paid separately rather than providing it as an all inclusive service and by providing seating on the basis of ‘first come, first fill,’ ie, in the case of budget airlines, the plane is boarded just as a bus and as such, seats would be occupied by those who would come first. In fact, budget airlines have now become one of the smartest ways to travel.

Some of the salient features of budget airlines are single traveler class, single category of airplane that reduces training as well as servicing expenses, easy fare scheme, unreserved seating systems, early flights in order to eliminate delays in air traffic, short flights, ticket sales via the internet, thereby enabling passengers to save money in the form of commissions and fees paid to travel agents, issuance of tickets in electronic format, absence of services such as in flight catering services as well as other complimentary services.

In the case of budget airlines, the pricing of air fares is based on the duration of time between booking and departure. The earlier you make bookings for airfare, much cheaper would be the airfare. Similarly, in order to fill the unsold seat in the plane, some airlines would slash the price prior to a few days before its departure.

A specialty of most of the budget airlines is that they cater to almost all types of travelers. For instance, some airlines operate budget flights according to the convenience of the business travelers. There are certain airlines providing incredible deals on air fares for students as well as leisurely travelers. In most cases, budget airline fares are flexible, al though, in some instances, these airlines may charge a nominal fee to make changes in flight reservations.

A budget airline provides almost the same superb services that a standard airline offers, such as excellent dining options, superb entertainment facilities, and comfortable as well as soft cabins. Additionally, some of the budget airlines render special services for passengers such as elderly travelers, children traveling alone or not accompanied by their parents, pregnant as well as passengers flying with infants, and passengers who have visual, speech, or hearing imparity.

With the introduction of the internet, it has become quite easy to find a budget airline. Many of the airlines have their own websites with facilities for online ticket booking. This in turn is very convenient. It is not only beneficial for hassle-free bookings but also enable you to know whether they provide any kind of discount or deals for traveling within a stipulated period or during a particular season such as Christmas or New Year. All you have to do is to just log into their website and inform them regarding the destination you are going to travel and date of departure.

All of the rest they will take care. In addition, airfare bookings online is economical, as it enables you to save pennies on issuing tickets. The airlines, in most cases, sent confirmation through a simple document containing flight details as well as booking reference. When you make payments and bookings online, it allows you to easily take a print out of this document as soon as the booking process is completed. In short, with just a click of a mouse you can make bookings for a comfortable air journey.



Alex

Sean Tan asked:


It is actually surprising how competition can make a product cheap. The best example of this is certainly airline service. Today with so several big and small flight operators plying all over the world, it is affirmed that the prices had to go down. And the fall has actually been drastic over the past decade itself. But let us not be all too jubilant about it yet. Even with the reduced prices, air travel still remains unaffordable to several of us, and it becomes a very difficult proposition for someone who has to travel many times a year.

However, if you have the right knowledge, it becomes very simple to save good money on air travel. There are many options indeed how you can save some good amount of the ticket fares. This Canadian airline has many options that can make air journey extremely affordable for the ordinary tourist. Here we review some of the methods:

(i) The first method to save some money is to make use of the air miles program. This is a program that all major airlines provide for the people who fly oftentimes with them. With low-fare airlines, when you book online, you will get one reward mile for every $20 you spend on ticket booking. That does translate into tidy savings, since these reward miles can be used later for making more flight bookings. The advantage with low-fare airlines are they count even the service charges such as baggage charges and the kennel charges for their air miles. It is not necessary to have a return trip either; they give air miles for single flights.

(ii) Most low-fare airlines have their own credit cards, like low-cost airlines are own Mosaik MasterCard. If you own airlines cards and you make the booking through the card, then you can save much more air miles. People booking with the Mosaik MasterCard can get one reward point for each $10 they spend on the flight booking.

(iii) Booking early is often a very good way to save money. With major airlines that are fully booked days in advance, it is really a good idea to make an advance reservation on the flight. Not only will you be availing of low rates, but you will also be making your flight secure.

(iv) Take advantage of the promotional offers. When a flight operator includes a new flight or a new route, they will mostly provide these at incredibly low rates for promotion. This is the case with all growing airlines. If you keep your feelers out, you can sense such great bargains and save pretty money on your air travel.

Air travel is not all that expensive as it is made out to be, if you know exactly where the savings lie. Make use of these the next season you fly, and you will be amazed at the amount of money you can save over a period of time from your traveling expenses.



Orlene

Susan Kohlback asked:


In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of low cost airlines. With Southwest Airlines leading the way, new entrants RyanAir and EasyJet quickly attracted mainstream travelers in Europe and brought low cost airlines out of the shadows. The European low fare airlines have become so popular in fact that airline rates are often substantially lower than train tickets for travel between European capitals. In the US, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airways, Air Tran, Jet Blue and now Virgin America have all made a name for themselves as low fare carriers. Recently there has also been low fare expansion with routes between major US gateways and cities in Europe. Eurofly Airlines for instance flies popular routes between the United States and Italy at about half the fare as the legacy carriers.

But here’s where it gets tricky. There are fees involved to have tickets distributed through online booking sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Kayak, etc. Many low fare airlines refuse to pay those fees and all tickets must be purchased directly through their site. This makes it very difficult to comparison shop or even find the right low cost airline for the route you’ll be traveling. Luckily, a new breed of airline search engines have popped onto the marketplace to address just this need. Each of these sites scan both major legacy airlines AND low cost airlines to deliver the lowest airfare back to you. Have a look:

DoHop (http://www.dohop.com)

Low Cost Airlines (http://www.lowcostairlines.com)

Momondo (http://www.momondo.com)

SkyLow (http://www.skylow.com)

SkyScanner (http://www.skyscanner.net)

Which Budget (http://www.whichbudget.com)

You will likely be presented with choices on airlines you have never even heard of, so its important to do your homework once you’ve narrowed down your choices of flights. The low fare airlines do not have low prices out of the goodness of their hearts, they scrimp on service wherever they can to save money. You’ll want to visit the airline’s site to read about their rules,

restrictions and fees before purchasing a ticket. Also, expect to pay extra for each piece of checked luggage, every drink of liquid, morsel of food, or bit of entertainment. Finally, see what other travelers have had to say about their flight performance on consumer rating sites like Jaunted (http://www.jaunted.com) and Epinions (http://www.epinions.com).

With a bit of advanced planning, you’ll be flying to your next vacation destination at a fraction of the regular price.



Yagi