Cheap Air Tickets: Tap the Best Bargains

Air travel is the quickest travelling experience and has shrunk the world in terms of distance. Now, it is possible to reach the other end of the world in just 24 hours or 48 hours. Even though air travel is a bit costlier than other modes of transport, it is affordable for a consumer who plans properly.

Travelling on weekdays like Tuesday, Thursday or Friday night when the traffic is less will yield cheap rates on air tickets. During these times, the airlines are forced to fill the seats to get the maximum amount, which is true for almost all flights. Also, travelling in the wee hours gets a fair deal. The air ticket reservation agent helps to get the necessary information but some agents may not disclose the cheap air tickets unless and until asked for because cheap air tickets involve lesser commission for the agents. Generally, a commission agent gets his commission only from the airlines and not from the passenger. There are even cases of agents having information about special deals offered by some of the airlines.

It is better to enquire about any charter flights to any famous foreign destination, which might offer cheap air tickets -not before signing the contract on the policies and conditions, if any. The destination also is one of the factors, which influence the cost of air tickets. It should be found out whether the destination is in a centralized place where the flight charges may be higher. Air tickets can be cheaper for a city nearer to the prime destination.

It is better to check with the travel agent or the airlines to confirm about the reservations and if there is any change in the fares, even after purchasing the ticket. The changes in airfares are made effective round the clock and if there is reduction in the rate, some of the airlines even refund the difference in amount. There is nothing unusual in asking for refund of the difference amount if it is not done on its own.

As far as international flights are concerned, IATA, which is a body of all major international carriers, governs international airfares and it prevents the direct discounting of air tickets to passengers. IATA sets at high price levels at exactly the same price for all international flights. But even IATA offers discounting in airfares through companies known as consolidators. The resellers pass some of the savings to the passengers. Thus an airline can sell excess capacity at cheap rates to consolidators who then sell these air tickets to some travel agencies, which results in savings that is passed on to the passenger for cheap international flights.

On line sites for cheap flights do not offer consolidator airfares because it is extremely complex to include in online booking. Certain travel agencies do not even search for consolidator airfares when contacted. So these sites must be searched using keywords like "consolidator, bulk, net and negotiated "fares. The travel agencies purchase the ticket from the consolidator and then markup the price for their profit, which varies for the same flight.