Which fare to choose?

A lot of time can be wasted searching the unending list of online booking sites. Using a travel management company is probably the safest and most reliable way of securing the best price for an itinerary, especially if it requires a number of flight sectors using various airlines. It is wise, however, for PAs to have a basic knowledge of airfares and where to find them.

Everyday there are thousands of seats on flights across the Atlantic. There are thousands of fares, with the airlines viciously competing to fill the seats. A recent brief look at one flight from London to New York revealed at least 126 different fares!

When using airline websites, such as ba.com, ryanair.com or easyjet.com, remember that the initial list of fares will exclude taxes and surcharges. Always select your preferred flights and proceed to the final fare calculation to see the net price.

Checking out a simple London – Edinburgh – London fare will reveal very similar basic prices between BA and easyJet. Adding the taxes and additional charges will create a grossly inflated fare, with BA’s involving over £40 in extra charges, whilst the budget airline will usually create a significantly lower fare. Of course both carriers have their own benefits, and the travellers preferences and company policy must be acknowledged.

When checking fares on the main broker websites, such as opodo.com, telme.com and airlinenetwork.co.uk, prices quoted will usually include taxes and surcharges. Most present a breakdown – with some fares involving up to £70 in extra charges.

Again when booking on a website like those mentioned above, take the booking through to a final price before accepting the deal as there are often inflated credit card fees, delivery costs, and even booking fees.

Always print off and check fare restrictions. Talk to the travellers and ensure that they fully understand the restrictions. Many cheaper fares do not allow flight changes or refunds.

When a flight has been booked online, print off a copy of the confirmation as soon as it appears on the screen. Once the reservation is reconfirmed by email, print this off too and make sure that the traveller carries all the documentation whilst on their trip.

When looking at the websites of foreign airlines check whether they have a local address. Checking out the ‘co.uk’ address of many American carriers will reveal reduced fares that are only available to the UK market. Fares will also be quoted in GBP – saving the user the hassle of currency conversion.

Low fares are available on nearly all flights from the UK to mainland Europe but some areas, especially in Scandinavia, still fail to enjoy the budget deals enjoyed elsewhere.

Checking out the return fares between London and Helsinki will reveal a great deal of £140 with the Czech Republic carrier, CSA, travelling via Prague. Look at the Prague – Helsinki fare and it is four times more expensive. Don’t think of using part of a ticket, as travellers who do not turn up for the first leg of a journey are automatically cancelled from the remainder of the trip, with no hope of a refund.

Remember
• Use your travel management company where possible
• Check all fares for restrictions
• Watch out for taxes and other surcharges
• Check credit card fees and booking fees
• Keep up to date with special offers
• If possible, use co.uk website for international carriers
• Print off and keep copies of confirmations
• Keep the traveller fully informed of their plans