We have put together a checklist of terms and tips which may
assist you whilst flying.
- AIRPASSES
- Airlines in many countries offer special fares for tourists to fly
between a number of airports, usually, but not always within that
country. eg. Visit USA fare, which allows multiple stops throughout
the US.
- AMENDMENTS
- These cover changes to dates of travel, class of travel, name changes
either prior to or after commencement of travel. All fares and tickets
carry different restrictions regarding these. Many cheaper fares
will not allow any changes at all, whilst most fares will require
payment to cover administrative costs in the form of an amendment
fee.
- APEX
- An advance purchase excursion. Such tickets can be purchased for
a discount directly from the airline, or consolidator. However,
as it says, 'advanced purchase' strictly applies. From the UK, as
a general rule this is 21 or 30 days.
- BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
- This is indicated on the right hand side of your ticket. Economy
class passengers generally are allowed 20 kg, except British Airways
who permit 23KG. Travelling to the USA Business Class is around
30-35 kg. First is up to 40 kg. Hand luggage remains pretty much
generic: one piece per passenger, restricted in size (esp. short
haul flights), and up to 8kg in weight. For larger items such a
s windsurfers etc. you should check with the tour operator or airline
with whom you have booked. Some additional charges may occur.
- BUDGET/ NO FRILLS AIRLINES
- These very popular airlines specialise in short haul routes
at bargain prices. For these low prices the consumer makes a trade
off and should be aware that:
- The flights are often made to and from secondary
airports (you should always check)
- Flight prices often do not include in-flight
refreshments/food
- There is often no numbered seat allocation
- Instead of receiving a physical ticket with
coupons you may receive either a receipt valid for travel, or
an
'e-ticket' (this is simply emailed to you)
- Cheapest fares are fixed and changes are
non-refundable.
- You will tend to get the best prices when
you book online
- BUMPED
- This can be good or bad! A bump, if you're lucky can mean a bump
up, or upgrade to business or first class. However, being bumped
usually means you will be unable fly on the flight your ticket was
for as it has been oversold. It is always safest to check in early
to avoid this.
- CANCELLATION CHARGES
- Most fares sold carry with them penalties if you wish to cancel
your journey. Cancellation fees can be up to 100% of the total ticket
cost. It is therefore always advisable to ensure you have travel
insurance that covers all eventualities.
- CONSOLIDATORS
- Airlines often sell blocks of seats to consolidators who then sell
these on to the public at discounted prices. The airlines do not
want to be seen to be discounting tickets themselves and therefore
use these wholesale agents on their behalf. These tickets are normally
restrictive in that a number of rules will apply such as a minimum
and maximum stay, the inclusion of a Saturday night stopover etc.,
no changes etc.. You should therefore ensure that any ticket you
purchase is the correct ticket for yourself.
- CHECK-IN
- All airlines request their passengers to check-in well before the
scheduled departure time. Usual check in times are: worldwide flights
- 2 hours. Short-haul - 1 hour.
- CLASS of TRAVEL
- The dates of First and Economy only are now over! Many of the airlines
are now reducing their rates for luxury travel, and even creating
new classes.
Here is a breakdown:
- Economy:
- We all know this one. All scheduled flights provide you with a meal
and a drink for no charge. Comfort varies dramatically from airline
to airline. More and more of the airlines, such as Cathay Pacific
and Emirates, have installed television sets in the back of the
seats on all long-haul flights.
- Premium Economy:
- This new class introduced by a number of airlines, such as Virgin,
and EVA Air. The logic behind the new class is to provide passengers
with a slightly bigger seat with increased legroom in a smaller,
and more exclusive cabin.
- Business Class:
- The jump here is quite spectacular. The first benefit is that you
can check in later at a dedicated desk (avoiding the queues). You
can then relax in the comfort of the airline's lounge where you
will find complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers and quiet. There's
no rushing or queuing to board your flight.
Your flight seat will usually be a cradle that reclines to a virtually
horizontal position, which has legroom up to 60". The in-flight
staff are dedicated to your cabin, and when you arrive your luggage
will be amongst the first off the carousel.
- First:
- Travelling first is a luxury few can afford. Most airlines now offer
a totally exclusive first class lounge and when you fly you are
treated to more space, high quality food and attentive service.
- CONFIRMATION
- It is normally your responsibility to confirm your flight, before
your outbound and inbound journeys. Confirmation is best done directly
with the airline 72 hours in advance of the flight time. This is
particularly important with your return journey where failure to
reconfirm can result in the in-validation of your ticket. Some airlines
do not require you do this procedure, but it never hurts to contact
whoever your flying with; in case of delays, time changes etc.
DIRECT, INDIRECT and NON-STOP FLIGHTS
- Non-stop Flights
- This is the quickest and most desirable of flights - A to B, simple.
- Direct
- A direct flight may stop en-route to your chosen destination. The main advantage here is that you are less likely to lose your bags!
- Indirect
- These flights mean leaving your plane at some stage during your
trip either whilst your plane re-fuels or you change planes entirely.
Often you will find that these should be the cheapest flights but
research well as many hours waiting around an airport may not be
your idea of fun.
Indirect flights are normally operated by a foreign airline, for
example flying with Air France to Mexico from London would mean
a change of aircraft in Paris.
- DISCOUNTED TICKETS
- Most agents have cheaper air-tickets than published airline fares.
A disadvantage with many of these tickets is that you are restricted
to certain dates and times for travel. However, doing some research
will often pay off as different agents may have better relationships
with different airlines.
Sometime airlines sell discounted tickets as promotional deals or
special offers - however, these are also likely to be subject to
certain conditions.
- FULL FARES
- Buying a full fare ticket from an airline or an agent will be expensive.
However, it offers the advantage that you can change flight times,
reroute or cancel for no, or little charge. These types of tickets
are very popular with business users.
- LOST OR DAMAGED TICKETS
- Scheduled airline tickets are deemed as cash and should you loose
your ticket it is likely that you will need to purchase a further
ticket to travel. A refund is only likely through insurance or if
the ticket in found.
- MULTI-LEG OR COMPLEX ITINERARY TICKETS
- These are air-tickets that fly not just from A to B but go via a
number of other destinations. For example, you may want to fly to
New York to stay for a few days, fly on to Los Angeles, where you
stay for 3 weeks before spending a week in Mexico City and flying
back to London.
You can book these tickets on-line but there are a lot of factors
involved in getting the best price. The more complex the journey
then the more your plans may change en-route - some agents have
offices around the world making it easier to make changes to your
itinerary.
- NO SHOWS
- Arriving late, or missing your flight, for whatever reason, can
prove disastrous. Discounted fares cannot usually be rebooked, and
even if it can, it may involve a financial penalty. If you have
valid travel insurance you may be covered for a missed departure.
This will be dependent on the nature of your policy.
- OPEN JAW
- This is a return ticket that allows you to return from different
points.
For example, flying from London to Washington but returning Los
Angeles - London. The distance between the two points is a surface
sector, and must be arranged by the passenger at his/her own expense.
- OPEN RETURN
- A return ticket with no specified date for return travel. This is
booked with the airline, and usually involves an administration
fee. However, it is very important to check when the ticket is valid
until. If you have passed the validity date, the ticket is useless.
- OVERSELLING
- It is the job of an airline to make their planes as full as possible.
It is a fact of life that as many as 10% of passengers fail to show.
Airlines can compensate for this by 'overselling' seats on planes.
This tactic is very effective, but when everyone does show, the
flight can become 'oversold'. Rather obviously passengers arriving
late are the first to be 'bumped'! So the lesson is...don't be late.
- STAND-BY
- This is a service where you wait at the airport until the next seat
becomes available on your chosen route.
Stand-by tickets used to be a cheap way to travel, sad to say those
days are over. Nowadays stand-by applies more to employees of airlines
who can use up available seats very cheaply.
- ROUND-THE-WORLD FARES
- Round the world tickets are multi-leg tickets that take you around
the world. Most tickets are usually fully flexible and valid for
one year. Round the world tickets are great value for money, and
allow you ease of travel. However, it is very important you understand
the fare rules. Cheaper tickets can be less flexible - making changes
may result in heavily penalties. It is really worth doing some research.
- TRAVEL VALIDITY
- Tickets are only ever valid for up to as maximum of 1 year. Discounted
tickets can be valid for much shorter periods. Always check the
small-print.
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