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BUYING YOUR BUDGET AIR TICKET

At first finding a cheap air ticket (low cost travel agents, no-frills flight, cheap budget airlines etc) seems straightforward enough... type in the departure, the destination, the dates you want and press the submit button. Three minutes later there’s a list of the 20 best offers (in price order) that you can choose from. Pick the lowest priced flight, book on line and start packing your bags, ready for your well-deserved holiday or weekend vacation and forget about everything else.

However, its not really that simple, there are many facets and sometimes complex factors that can determine the final checkout cost - legroom, flexibility, availability, destination popularity airport distance and even local taxes all bear some sway when totting up the credit charge. Here, we list a few points that you should be aware of before booking your holiday.

Charter flights and scheduled flights [BACK TO TOP]
With a few exceptions most flight-only long haul and business flights are scheduled - tickets distributed to travel companies by all the major airlines to sell on their planes. Charter flights are organized by the big travel tour operators who transport their package holiday customers to all the main popular tourist spots - Spain, Majorca, the Canary Island and so on and only operate between the 'peak seasons' (April-September for beach; December-April for ski). Scheduled flights are usually sold with one or two week hotel accommodation and although most seats are sold some are offloaded to travel consolidators who buy them in bulk to sell on.

Book early [BACK TO TOP]
Unlike package holidays, the nearer to departure yo book, the more you will end up paying, because scheduled airlines operate on a yield basis, which means that as bookings rise so do fares (remember the guy sitting next to you who always got it cheaper than you). Flights booked three-four weeks in advance will get you the best deals, but also, even booking seven days prior to your journey may be cheaper than five - SO BOOK AHEAD.

Be Flexible You know the destination and you know the days you've booked off work. But how far in front do you need to tell your boss, and how flexible will your company be with your holidays - because that's what the airlines want to know too. As a general rule midweek flights are often cheaper than those at the weekend and if you are flexible enough to fly indirect or leave at an anti-social hour (this may require you to investigate fully your arrival airport - don't be stranded at 3am in the middle of a lonely and unknown destination) airfare prices are likely to be less.

Think different [BACK TO TOP]
Just because you are planning to relax on the golden shores of Koh Chang doesn't mean you have to fly to Bangkok - if you are seriously into saving money, try a direct flight to Vietnam and then a cheap train ride across the Eastern seaboard - and Europe in particular with its vast reliable rail network and cross-border visa could make for a memorable money saving experience.

Check the Airport's location [BACK TO TOP]
It may seem obvious that the airport is located in the centre of the city that it's actually named after but it is worth checking to make sure that you are not going to be landing 25km away on an weekend trip to find that there are no regular buses leaving for your hotel until six hours later (information related to you by the only taxi driver there - a bearded hostile giant who has just offered to drive you for €25). Also, see your own local airport's departure prices, because even if a major airport is cheaper the cost and time to get there may work out much more expensive in the long run.

Be careful booking multi-leg journey [BACK TO TOP]
Low cost, cheap airlines are touch-touch - even if you are connecting with the same airline you are not guaranteed to get re-booked if you miss your designated plane. In winter, flight delays are most common and the airline could charge you as much as your whole ticket originally cost to re-book.

Not bothered where you go [BACK TO TOP]
If you are not particular about your destination then you can scoop up fantastic deals - that doesn't mean a late cancellation to a semi-finished Greek apartment complex - but an array of the yet-to-be tested corners of the world - check out the small beautiful fishing village just outside the main city. Be creative and you can spot those little gems hidden in the shadows.

Cheap is not always the best [BACK TO TOP]
Always consider your priorities and weigh them against the cost of your flight - direct connection, leg room, meal allowance, seat pitch or entertainment.

Here's a few points to remember [BACK TO TOP]

• Luggage allowance? (sometimes 20kg sometimes 30kg)
• Can the return date be changed? Free or charged?
• Airport? (for Londoners, etc. Heathrow or Gatwick?)
• Maximum stay? (some tickets are only one month)
  Direct flight or change flights in transit? (can add up to 8 hours on journey time!)
• Seat pitch on plane (if you don't want the passenger's head in front right in your face for 12 hours!)
• Entertainment system (personal tv or movie screen - important for some)
• Daytime or night-time flights (for 12 hour flights it is easier to sleep on a night-time flights)
• Weekday/weekend flights? (some want to travel weekends to maximise there leave)
• Pay full ticket price up front with no refund or a £50 deposit allowable? (some cheap tickets the full price must be paid immediately)

Try Something New [BACK TO TOP]
You want to go to Greece, you've been on the Greek Tourist Board's website, you've told all your friends you will be there and you've promised to bring them back some Ouzo. However, you've just spotted a direct flight into Estonia for the price of two lagers and a B+B for not much more. If you're willing to bring in that pot-luck adventurous 'let's see' attitude to traveling you should be able to have a fabulous time on a real tight budget. And save Greece 'til next year.

To summarize [BACK TO TOP]
In short, how much is cheap to you and how much luxury do you need, because remember; saving money is fantastic, but the plane journey is also a part of your holiday experience and if you are flying long haul arriving fresh and relaxed after 24 hours traveling my just be worth that extra 25%! Above all, enjoy your trip! If you have any suggestions or comments that you feel maybe of help to fellow travelers, please send them to our Web Editor info@cheaperflightsworldwide.com

APPLICATION FOR A FOREIGN VISA

When traveling abroad it is vital to check whether your destination country requires you to produce a Passport, ID Card, Visa or have return/onward tickets prior to landing. Some countries will require a specific minimum valid for date (for example six months) from the date of entry.

Extending your visa whilst on holiday can be quite simple; it often entails a trip to the local Government Passport issuing department, a visit to the border control or maybe a day trip out of the country and a hop back in to get it stamped again. However, overstaying the visa time can be a very serious offense in some countries which can result in arrest, a heavy fine, deportation or in some case imprisonment. Also note that your passport could be marked by the officials if you do overstay and that may lead to problems in the future.

Plan your trip, and account for any possibilities. If you are traveling to Thailand for instance and think that you may be tempted to visit Vietnam, then its always best to check the requirements before leaving, rather than wander into a Bangkok agency looking confused and helpless.

Many countries will fine a traveler if he or she overstays her visa stamp and goes beyond the time allowed by the Government. Please be aware that you will be fined if you arrive at the airport with an expired visa, but don't assume that you can simply explain to the local police force that you were just about to extend it that day if you are stopped by them for some misdemeanor. It is a very different situation to be an overstayer whilst leaving the airport, than it is to be caught in the country with an expired visa.

Then again, as mentioned before obtaining a Visa for many popular destinations is very simple and can involve a simple phone call to the nearest Embassy or even filling out a landing card / departure card on the flight over is enough to be issued with your Visa.

Work Permits and Long Stay Visas
Most countries, even those with special ties and agreements will almost certainly require some sort of specially issued visa for the holder to work or reside there. Different countries obviously have different rules depending on the passport holder's origin - so it is always wise to check first - and sometimes the issuing process can take upto six months or require there to be a sponsor resident already. This is a very brief list of some of the requirements:

• A current, valid passport
• The relevant form for the visa ie. work / student / residency
• Evidence of financial support for the period of time and amount indicated on the visa application form
• Proof that you have a permanent residence.
• One or more passport-type photographs
• A nonimmigrant visa application

These are very rough guidelines and we hope to bring you a more detailed account at a later date. If you have any specific visa enquiry with a certain country in mind drop us a line - contact us - and we will post our tips in this section

HOLIDAY INSURANCE
It's a wise precaution, although not a legal requirement, to take out travel insurance. This guide looks at what it should cover, including information on valuables.

Buying holiday insurance
Generally, tour operators and travel agents can't insist that you take out their own travel insurance. It's illegal for a tour operator to discriminate against a traveller not taking their insurance by way of price, discount or surcharge. In these circumstances, check to ensure the package (including the insurance) represents good value for money and that the policy offers you a good level of cover.

They should cover, at least, the following:

• Cancellation of, or cutting short, your holiday
• Illness or injury while you're away
• Loss or theft of your belongings
• Delayed or missed connection
• Liability for accidents to others

Remember...
If you need to cut short your holiday because someone at home is ill, ensure you get the insurer's consent before rearranging flights.

If you plan to try out sports or activities on holiday that could be considered hazardous, such as scuba diving, a standard policy may not cover you. You may be able to get this added to your insurance. If not, you need to arrange a specialist policy. Don't rely on buying local insurance abroad.

Things to remember

• Ensure you understand what you're covered for and what you aren't
• Take the insurers contact details with you and a copy of your policy - always call them for consent if you're booking something which will form part of your claim
• Keep bills and receipts to support your claim

Valuables
Take as much care of your possessions as you would if they were uninsured.

If you don't, the policy may not pay out. Never leave belongings unattended, particularly at airports, or in an unattended vehicle or on the beach. Keep all valuables, passports and money in your hand baggage when travelling, not with the rest of your luggage.

Ensure you know all that's required of you to make a claim. If an item is stolen, for example, the policy may require you to contact the police within 24 hours and produce proof of notification to support your claim.

Check out your household insurance policy. You may find that some of the valuable items you're taking on holiday are already covered under an 'all risks' extension.

TRAVEL TIPS

Unless you’ve been stuck somewhere on a runway waiting for your delayed flight to depart, you’ve heard the news -- it’s hard travel times for the American public, with no relief in sight. Rising fuel costs are sending airfares and cruise prices skyrocketing, while putting the All American road trip out of reach for many people. Airlines are charging not only for snacks and beverages, but for checked bags and even babies-in-laps on some international flights, too -- all the while reducing schedules and kicking up frequent flier mileage redemption rates.

And the average price for a U.S. hotel room has long since passed the $100 per night mark. Still, with a few tricks from industry insiders, there are ways to shave money off the logistics of getting out there and seeing the world.

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The first thing to do is look at your frequent flier miles, says Jay Rein, President and CEO of TravelWorm (www.travelworm.com) , an online travel agency specializing in packages to leisure destinations. Even if you’ve been hoarding your miles for an emergency, says Rein, now’s the time to use them.

“Having frequent flier miles in the bank is not like having money, there’s no interest earned,” he says. “Over the years, it takes you more and more miles to redeem air travel,” says Rein, referring to the ever-increasing number of frequent flier miles required to book award tickets. And your frequent flier miles are never guaranteed -- the airlines have the right to cancel their mileage programs at any time.

Murmurs in the industry have it that starting from September, many airlines are removing even more inventory from their systems, meaning mileage redemption rates are likely to rise again. “If you know you’re going on vacation for Easter, Christmas or other holidays, most airlines allow you to book using miles up to 11 months in advance,” says Rein, “So go ahead and use those miles, because they aren’t going to get more valuable to you -- they’re only going to get less valuable.”

Booking flights using travel sites such as Orbitz, Kayak or Travelocity? Listen up.
“We find the cheapest flights depart and return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” says Holly Reynolds, Owner of Ensemble Travel, a division of Dugan’s Travel in Owings, MD., “And that’s across the board, for domestic and international flights.” Flights that depart very early in the morning (think 5AM and 6AM) are typically the cheapest, according to Reynolds, and red eye flights from the West Coast to the East Coast can also be more reasonable than those scheduled during prime hours. Rem Malloy, president of Seattle-based Italy 4 Real (www.italy4real.com) -- a tour agency offering escorted tours in Italy -- books his flights to Europe by piecing together airfares from different carriers. It can lead to substantial savings, he says. “I call it the hopper flight scenario,” says Malloy, who travels to Europe several times a year and usually uses Orbitz to book the transatlantic portion.

“Say you want to go from Seattle to Rome, round trip. Choose an airport on the edge of the European continent closest to the US to fly into,” says Malloy, referring to airports such as London, Amsterdam, Dublin and Paris. “What you do is get a roundtrip flight from your US departure point to one of those cities, and then you use a European low cost hopper flight -- airlines like Easy Jet or Ryan Air -- to hop to Rome or wherever your final destination is.” Malloy says this method has saved him as much as $500 on an entire round trip over using Orbitz for the entire ticket. “And the money you save can go a long way in compensating for the bad exchange rate,” he says. Keep in mind, however, that many low cost European carriers impose hefty checked baggage fees, with weight limits that are far stricter than on US carriers. A good website for sourcing low cost carriers within Europe is Fly Cheapo Europe (www.flycheapo.com).