Ten (10) Consideration For Travelers In Buying Air Tickets

Most often, purchasing travel tickets are perceived to be a cash-and-carry thing but travelers usually end up paying much than they budgeted for. The cheapest fares usually ends up to be the most expensive ones especially, when we are not sure of our travel dates or if the tickets does not offer the option of date change. These are ten (10) guidelines to aid you make a better choice, when you intend buying an air ticket for your trip. 1. Check which airlines you can use without a transit visa or if you have the necessary documents to use the airline Travel agents mostly assume you have all the necessary documents for your trip, so they sell tickets to you without hesitation. Depending on your passport and other documents, it may require you get a transit visa to be able to use some airlines with the exception of flights that do not make stops. Check with the airline first if you require a transit visa. Travels to certain destinations may require an "OK to board". The airline examines your travel documents and cross-checks them with the respective issuing authorities before they give you the nod to purchase the ticket. Check with the airline thoroughly before tickets are purchased because you will be denied boarding if you require an "OK to board". Asians traveling on Emirates requires this when traveling to certain destinations. Certain airlines require holders of Ghana passports traveling with e-visas to apply for an "OK to board". If you need it, the airline will direct you on how to get it done. 2. Make a list of Airlines and look out for the moderate one After researching on Airlines to know the ones which won't stress you out, make a list of them. There are several online channels that can enable you know, which airlines operate within your destination with moderate prices on your desired date of travel. Check up on the fares for your desired travel dates. The lowest fares are always shown first. When selecting an agent, try placing a call to see if they are always available to support you. Ignore them if they take ages to get back to you. As a traveler, you may need the assistance of your travel agent at any point in time and if such agent is difficult to be reached, don't use them. 3. Adjust your travel date if possible to dates that offer Super-cool prices Are ticket prices still high? If yes, then it might probably be the cause of your travel dates. It's usually expensive to travel on Fridays and Saturdays. Fares are also high when departure date is just few days away. Keep adjusting your travel dates if possible till you get a fare that fits your budget. Before you select a fare, take note of waiting times at transit points. Some less expensive flights may require you to wait longer at transit points. Some airlines provide accommodation for passengers waiting longer than 12 hours. 4. Know about your trip and choose the right fare Do you have to travel on a particular date and Are you certain of your return date? Are you likely to change or cancel your trip? Considering these questions will assist you in making the right choice. Some ticket conditions do not allow changes or cancellation to be made once it is purchased. So if your travel date is likely to change, purchase a ticket that allows changes (usually at a fee). Some tickets are valid for a duration of one year, or even if there's a "NO SHOW" at the airport. If your trip requires you to be at a destination on or before a particular date, choose to travel earlier as the airlines may choose to cancel flights at any time with no liability on them. Weather conditions and other factors may also cause flights to be cancelled or delayed. So it's always advisable to travel earlier when you have to attend an appointment or catch another flight at your destination which is on a separate ticket. Airlines do not offer compensations for flight cancellations or delays. They only re-book passengers for free and provide you with accommodation and meals if you are going to stay longer before traveling. KLM offers a $50 discount on your next purchase with them. 5. Read on the terms and conditions of the airline from their website Less than 1% of travellers read through the Airlines' TERMS AND CONDITIONS or TERMS OF SERVICE. It's very interesting to know that , the airlines are not liable for anything that happens to your trip. Purchasing an airline ticket does not even contract them to take you to your destination straight away. If you buy an Accra-Lagos bound ticket, the airline could take you to Lome for reasons be it technical, security or bad weather. The time you will spend in Lome before continuing on your tip is not even assured. They are not liable for any loss that you may incur as a result of their actions. When reading through the Airline's terms and conditions, take note if there is a clause that may affect your trip in one way or the other. Make sure you accept and agree to their terms and conditions or terms of service before purchasing the air ticket. 6. Ask questions if buying from an agent If you are not buying directly from the airline or its website, ask for the "Terms and Conditions" of the agent. If online, the terms are available to read on the agent's website. Agents usually charge additional fees when cancelling or changing tickets, even if the airline does for free. Find out if meals served on flight are what you prefer, be it food, alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages. Most times, people turn to travel in comfort, if they are given the warmest of receptions. Some Airlines do not serve continental dishes. They seize the opportunity to promote their culture hence, serving food and drinks that are indigenous to them. Example, Airlines owned by Islamic countries mostly do not serve alcoholic beverages in a bid to perpetuate their doctrine and culture. Some people take in at least little alcohol to kill fear especially for people who are height-phobia. If you have special dietary requirements, check with the airline or agent if your needs could be met. NB: Agents, other than online ones, charge additional fees when selling tickets, ranging from $50 - $100. Some agents make their fares competitive by reducing their fees. 7. Register for frequent flyer programs I have enjoyed several free travels just by joining frequent flyer programs. It's free to join. Airlines that have alliance use same frequent flyer program (they may have different names, but it's same). You accumulate miles (some airlines call it Points) for each trip made with airlines having alliance. These miles or points can be used in exchange for travel tickets, ticket upgrades, access to VIP lounges, hotel reservations , car rentals, pay for excess luggage and much more. Some hotels, car rentals and shops reward their customers with miles. You can also earn miles or points by using Credit card services and some money exchange services. Flights taken or tickets purchased prior to joining the programme do not qualify one to earn these miles or points. Always join the program before making a purchase. You will be provided with a membership number that will be required of you to provide anytime you purchase tickets from airlines in the same alliance. The two major airlines Alliance are STAR ALLIANCE and SKYTEAM. 8. Choose the right payment method There are several ways you can pay for tickets depending on where it is being purchased. Credit or debit cards, exchanging miles or points earned through frequent flyer programs and also by cash. When you intend paying by credit or debit card on the airline's website, make sure you pay with your own card or the card holder is traveling with you. You are required to present the card during check-in to be allowed boarding. Even if you pay with your own card, contact the airline before your date of travel to find out if tickets are issued. Some airlines will hold bookings till further checks on the card. These checks may require you to fill a card authorization form or present your card in person to the airline's office. If you are paying by card, it's more advisable to buy from an online agent. These agents have their own way of settling the airlines and you won't have issues traveling. You are not required to present credit cards during check-in when ticket is purchased from an agent whether online or not. When purchased from an agent with someone's card, you are not required to present it at the airport or it's a must to travel with the card holder. When purchased from the airline's website and you are refused boarding because the card holder isn't travelling with you or not available for checks during the process, you will receive full refund. Refunds may take up to 45 days to hit the card holder's accounts. In some cases, it may be earlier or later than usual, just imagine if it's the only funds available for your travel ticket. You can always check your tickets online to make sure details are exact like provided. Most airlines can make changes or cancel tickets for full refund if requested for within 24 hours after purchase. 9. Request for meals, choose seat I am always given special meals when I'm traveling. My meals are specially made with my name and seat number on them. I receive my meal before anyone else, sounds interesting! Most frequent flyers don't even know about this. Unless on short distance flight , which snacks are served, all long haul flights passengers get the opportunity to request for their meals in advance (though not advertised ). If you are travelling with infants, it is better to request for their meals in advance. I hate to be seated in the middle. Neither do I love to be close to the aisle. When a passenger on the window seat is the type that visits the washroom every 10 minutes, you will have to be getting up all the time. Unless maybe you are scared to be seated at the window, it’s always best to be there, so you can enjoy your cool slumber throughout the journey devoid of any interruptions. You have the chance to select your seat soon after purchase. British Airways takes a fee for choosing a seat in advance. Almost all other airlines do so for free. 10. Write down your booking reference and ticket number When the details are saved and your ticket gets missing, you still get to travel. The paper you get after buying the air ticket is just to give you a picture as to how your trip would be like. These information can be accessed from the internet provided you have your booking reference or ticket number. It's always advisable to write down your Booking reference or ticket number. You can save it on your phone; most airports do not demand tickets at check-in. A scan of your passport brings all your ticket details. Nonetheless, Kotoka International Airport will require you to present the paper ticket. Once you have the booking reference, you can print it out from the internet at any time you wish.

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Ten (10) Consideration For Travelers In Buying Air Tickets

3. Adjust your travel date if possible to dates that offer Super-cool prices

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