Always check the quoted prices. However up-to-date we are, prices may change without warning. They may even change by the minute...
To get the most accurate and helpful idea about air ticket prices, we recommend that you ring at least two, or better three, agents or airlines, and ask them the following questions:
Does the price include tax? If not, how much extra will I pay?
All our flight prices should include taxes. If you discover an agent has not included taxes, please report it to us by clicking here.
Does the price include a credit card charge? If so, how much extra will I pay?
Charging a supplement for processing a credit card transaction is perfectly legal. Many flight and holiday companies will charge one to two per cent if you pay with a credit card.
What are the restrictions?
If a ticket is cheap, there is a high likelihood of restrictions. These usually include no changes to the booked itinerary, no refunds and no name changes.
What are the penalties for cancelling my ticket?
Many cheap tickets require you to pay full price, even if you cancel your ticket well in advance.
What route is the airline taking, and are there any stops?
There can be some bad surprises here, even on short routes! Remember that a "direct flight" doesn't necessarily mean that there aren't any stops - it means only that you don't have to change planes.
Which airline will I be flying with?
Make sure of an airline's reputation for punctuality and in-flight comfort. A saving of a few pounds or so can turn out to be a false economy if the airline you fly with departs hours late or provides poor service.
How far away from my destination is the airport I'm flying to?
Many of the airports serviced by low-cost flights are a long way from their associated cities, and getting into town from the airport can be a costly addition to the price of your trip. Check the "best way downtown" sections on our destination pages if you're unsure.
What is my airport of departure?
Luton may not be as convenient as Heathrow or even London City.
What are the departure times for my outward and return flights?
Some flights, especially charters, may depart at very anti-social hours.
Bonding
How can I tell if my flight or holiday is protected?
The rules are straightforward. Your money is protected if you have a ticket or an ATOL receipt.
What is an ATOL receipt?
This means that if you pay any money - even a deposit - to a travel firm for a flight or a package holiday by air, the sale must be protected by an Air Traveller's Operating License, or ATOL. So insist on getting one of the following in exchange for your money:
- A valid scheduled air ticket
- A receipt for your money - an "ATOL Receipt" - confirming that you are covered by an ATOL.
If you book a scheduled flight at full fare, or at a special fare set by the airline - like APEX - a travel agent will usually give you a ticket straight away. So you won't need to be covered by an ATOL. But if you buy a package holiday by air, or a cheap "discounted" scheduled ticket, you won't usually get your ticket straight away. So you need to get an ATOL receipt as soon as you pay.
Complaints
If you feel that any agent has misled you about prices, let us know via our Feedback page. In particular, let us know about any obvious instances of "Bait and Switch" - the practice of offering unrealistic low fares in the hope of luring the customer into buying a more expensive ticket. Cheapflights takes complaints very seriously indeed and will always follow them up.
Further Information
For a more in-depth look at your rights as an air transport user, click here to see the full guidelines set out by the Air Transport Users Council.
Oonagh Shiel
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated April 2009
