Read this special article from Tom on how to get good deals for your air fares:
TOM PARSONS www.bestfares.com Tom Parsons is CEO of Bestfares.com.
You might wonder how you can beat the price on a Southwest airfare sale, and I have an answer for you. If you act fast, you can get a coupon for 15 percent off to use on a future fare. Customers who spend $20 or more at Cost Plus World Market through Nov. 6 can qualify for 15 percent off a Southwest flight. Flights must be purchased by Dec. 1 for travel through Jan. 25.
I made a trip to World Market, as it is known in Dallas, and made my $20 purchase. If you take advantage of this deal, note that gift cards, alcohol and kitchen electronics don't qualify toward the $20 minimum.
The receipt had a numbered bar code at the bottom, which I used to register for the offer online. Sometimes it can take days to get the airline code after you register for a promotion, but Southwest responded in three minutes. Once I got my promo code, I tested it and found I could use the discount for up to eight passengers on the same reservation. (You can book a maximum of eight tickets at a time on Southwest's website.)
If you go to World Market with a spouse or a friend and spend $40, split your purchases so you can get more promo codes. If Southwest runs a whopper of a sale in the next month, you'll be sitting pretty.
You must be one of the first 25,000 people to register for the offer online to receive the discount code from Southwest, and you have to make a World Market purchase before you can register. There are a number of blackout dates around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so don't expect to use this for a holiday flight. Visit www.cpwmswa.com for details.
more from here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/bestfares/stories/DN-parsons_1031tra.ART.State.Edition1.3385aad.html
Showing posts with label good deals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good deals. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
You're GONG to China! Enjoy our seat sale to China and other destinations!
Another promo fare for today:
Gear up to explore Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, because we're treating you to a seat sale on all China destinations starting now until July 22, 2010!
With a travel period from September 1 to October 31, 2010, P999 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares are available for Manila-Taipei flights. Pick from Bangkok, Hong Kong or Macau via Clark and avail of P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares.
Chart these on your calendar and see exotic destinations! Our flights from Cebu to Hong Kong or Manila to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Beijing are as low as P1,999 ‘Go Lite’!
We also have hot deals for our domestic flights from Manila to Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Kalibo, Legazpi, Tacloban, Tagbilaran for only P699, for travel from September 1-30, 2010. The same travel period applies for P1,199 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos.
Our new route Cebu-Pagadian, as well as Cebu-Ozamiz, are selling for only P799 ‘Go Lite’, for travel from August 1 to September 30, 2010.
Don't miss out on these low fare deals, log on to www.cebupacificair.com now!
Gear up to explore Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, because we're treating you to a seat sale on all China destinations starting now until July 22, 2010!
With a travel period from September 1 to October 31, 2010, P999 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares are available for Manila-Taipei flights. Pick from Bangkok, Hong Kong or Macau via Clark and avail of P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares.
Chart these on your calendar and see exotic destinations! Our flights from Cebu to Hong Kong or Manila to Bangkok, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Beijing are as low as P1,999 ‘Go Lite’!
We also have hot deals for our domestic flights from Manila to Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Kalibo, Legazpi, Tacloban, Tagbilaran for only P699, for travel from September 1-30, 2010. The same travel period applies for P1,199 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fares from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Davao and General Santos.
Our new route Cebu-Pagadian, as well as Cebu-Ozamiz, are selling for only P799 ‘Go Lite’, for travel from August 1 to September 30, 2010.
Don't miss out on these low fare deals, log on to www.cebupacificair.com now!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Five strategies for finding cheap airfares in 2009
an old article but we can definitely take some pointers... read on:
ast year was rough for the airline industry. In response to the recession and jet fuel prices that nearly doubled between January and July, passengers saw dozens of airfare hikes, new fees for every imaginable service, not to mention major capacity cuts. For travellers, it was a year in which many pondered taking a staycation rather than face the cost and hassle of flying.
Is even more caution required in 2009? We don't think so, and neither do you: A recent Smarter Travel poll shows most readers -- 78 per cent --plan to fly as much or more than in 2008. More than half of readers say they plan to book travel, but are still holding out for the right deal. After consulting with some of my fellow industry observers, I can tell you that while finding good air deals will be a challenge this year, there are some real opportunities for savings if you use the following tactics.
1. LOOK FOR WINTER AND SPRING SALES
After experiencing a drop in demand for holiday travel, the airlines have been offering a bonanza of sales in January to win back customers.
Thus far, most of the major low-cost and legacy airlines have advertised good deals for travel as far out as June, even on international flights, a trend that is expected to continue. "It will be particularly good through winter and spring, with lower airfare prices than in 2008," says Mike Fridgen, the vice-president of marketing and product for Farecast.
You may be tempted to wait longer and see if prices drop further, but if you see a price you can live with now, you should book, because the deals may not last long.
2. FACTOR IN THE FEES
Before you book that super-cheap advertised fare, factor in the extra fees. Many airlines have added charges for first and second checked bags, greatly increased overweight baggage fees, and started charging for everything.
You could find a $200 ticket on Airline A is actually more expensive than a $220 ticket on Airline B when you realize Airline A will charge you $40 for two checked bags, while Airline B charges nothing.
3. SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS AND PRICE ALERTS
You can find great deals by signing up to receive airfare sale e-mails from the airlines and other providers. "These days, good deals are gobbled up quickly. By signing up for newsletters and alerts, consumers can make sure that they are the first to know about the latest and greatest travel deals," says Clem Bason, vice-president of merchandising for Hotwire.
Not only will you find out about general sales, you may also gain access to exclusive subscriber-only sales.
"Sign up for every airline's newsletters and frequent flyer programs, and reap the rewards of promo code fares," says George Hobica, founder of Smarter Travel's sister-site Airfarewatchdog.com.
Besides sale and promo code e-mails, you can also register for customized e-mails from sites that monitor prices on specific routes and alert you to pricing trends.
These sites may help you decide the best time to buy.
4. LOWER DEMAND DESTINATIONS
Several U. S. destinations that rely heavily on tourists as opposed to business travellers have taken big hits recently, and some travel providers have responded to the drop in demand by lowering prices.
"Travellers should absolutely look for destinations that may be hurting for visitors," says Orbitz travel insider Jeanenne Diefendorf. "Las Vegas, Hawaii and Orlando are three hot destinations that have had incredible deals over the last several months, and travellers should put these spots at the top of their list when researching affordable vacations."
While you can, in general, find good deals to hurting tourist destinations, be sure to do your homework to make sure you're actually getting the best price possible. Compare prices from different providers and different airports, be flexible with your travel dates and don't forget to factor in possible savings from hotel, car rental and package deals.
5. THINK BEYOND AIRFARE
It's great to find cheap airfares, but to achieve maximum savings you need to look at your vacation as a whole and see where else you can find discounts.
While airlines can cut flights to address dropping demand, hotels can't cut rooms, and so in many cases they are forced to offer much bigger price cuts.
With hotel occupancy rates down around the world, big discounts are showing up from all kinds of properties.
You should also look into packages combining the airfare and hotel components for potential savings.
"Booking air and hotel together is probably the best-kept secret in the travel industry, and one of the easiest ways to save money," says Expedia spokeswoman Amanda Hoffman.
"On average, travellers save more than $200 when booking air and hotel together."
More from here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/2010wintergames/Five+strategies+finding+cheap+airfares+2009/1239714/story.html
ast year was rough for the airline industry. In response to the recession and jet fuel prices that nearly doubled between January and July, passengers saw dozens of airfare hikes, new fees for every imaginable service, not to mention major capacity cuts. For travellers, it was a year in which many pondered taking a staycation rather than face the cost and hassle of flying.
Is even more caution required in 2009? We don't think so, and neither do you: A recent Smarter Travel poll shows most readers -- 78 per cent --plan to fly as much or more than in 2008. More than half of readers say they plan to book travel, but are still holding out for the right deal. After consulting with some of my fellow industry observers, I can tell you that while finding good air deals will be a challenge this year, there are some real opportunities for savings if you use the following tactics.
1. LOOK FOR WINTER AND SPRING SALES
After experiencing a drop in demand for holiday travel, the airlines have been offering a bonanza of sales in January to win back customers.
Thus far, most of the major low-cost and legacy airlines have advertised good deals for travel as far out as June, even on international flights, a trend that is expected to continue. "It will be particularly good through winter and spring, with lower airfare prices than in 2008," says Mike Fridgen, the vice-president of marketing and product for Farecast.
You may be tempted to wait longer and see if prices drop further, but if you see a price you can live with now, you should book, because the deals may not last long.
2. FACTOR IN THE FEES
Before you book that super-cheap advertised fare, factor in the extra fees. Many airlines have added charges for first and second checked bags, greatly increased overweight baggage fees, and started charging for everything.
You could find a $200 ticket on Airline A is actually more expensive than a $220 ticket on Airline B when you realize Airline A will charge you $40 for two checked bags, while Airline B charges nothing.
3. SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS AND PRICE ALERTS
You can find great deals by signing up to receive airfare sale e-mails from the airlines and other providers. "These days, good deals are gobbled up quickly. By signing up for newsletters and alerts, consumers can make sure that they are the first to know about the latest and greatest travel deals," says Clem Bason, vice-president of merchandising for Hotwire.
Not only will you find out about general sales, you may also gain access to exclusive subscriber-only sales.
"Sign up for every airline's newsletters and frequent flyer programs, and reap the rewards of promo code fares," says George Hobica, founder of Smarter Travel's sister-site Airfarewatchdog.com.
Besides sale and promo code e-mails, you can also register for customized e-mails from sites that monitor prices on specific routes and alert you to pricing trends.
These sites may help you decide the best time to buy.
4. LOWER DEMAND DESTINATIONS
Several U. S. destinations that rely heavily on tourists as opposed to business travellers have taken big hits recently, and some travel providers have responded to the drop in demand by lowering prices.
"Travellers should absolutely look for destinations that may be hurting for visitors," says Orbitz travel insider Jeanenne Diefendorf. "Las Vegas, Hawaii and Orlando are three hot destinations that have had incredible deals over the last several months, and travellers should put these spots at the top of their list when researching affordable vacations."
While you can, in general, find good deals to hurting tourist destinations, be sure to do your homework to make sure you're actually getting the best price possible. Compare prices from different providers and different airports, be flexible with your travel dates and don't forget to factor in possible savings from hotel, car rental and package deals.
5. THINK BEYOND AIRFARE
It's great to find cheap airfares, but to achieve maximum savings you need to look at your vacation as a whole and see where else you can find discounts.
While airlines can cut flights to address dropping demand, hotels can't cut rooms, and so in many cases they are forced to offer much bigger price cuts.
With hotel occupancy rates down around the world, big discounts are showing up from all kinds of properties.
You should also look into packages combining the airfare and hotel components for potential savings.
"Booking air and hotel together is probably the best-kept secret in the travel industry, and one of the easiest ways to save money," says Expedia spokeswoman Amanda Hoffman.
"On average, travellers save more than $200 when booking air and hotel together."
More from here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/2010wintergames/Five+strategies+finding+cheap+airfares+2009/1239714/story.html
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