Some obvious airline tips:
- You get better deals and schedules without directly buying from the airlines. Check with a travel agent or the discounted special fares in the Sunday paper. Package deals are not always worth it.
- Coach tickets booked under codes YUPP, QUPP or Z can award you automatic mileage based upgrades to first class. YUPP fares are to matchlow cost carriers in specific markets. They are not easily available.
- Cheaper fares and greater seat availability if you fly out on Saturday after 0900 and return on a Tuesday.
- Ryanair, Easyjet, Jetstar, Air Asia and Malaysia airlines have great fares but are often ignored. Use these to fly around once you’re overseas. They are safe but they have restrictions, of course.
- Check with the foreign airlines based on your destination’s airlines rather than relying on only American ones. But check your exchange rate.
- Always fly into the cheapest cities. Fly into Dublin rather than Heathrow. Connections are also a lesser nightmare.
- Check refund policies before you confirm your purchase.
- If you live near a larger city, drive to it to save US$ and avoid having to connect/miss a chartered tiny flight.
- If you fly in Japan within 7 days of you birthday, you and 3 coflyers get discounts
