Fired Airline Ticket Agent Reveals Airline Secrets
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There is one problem with using this trick. That is, you won’t be able to check any baggage. Any bags will be checked to the final destination, but you are not planning on being at your final destination. Some of you may want to try to check in bags and tip the curbside check-in man to send your bags to your “hidden city” but this is really pushing it. Just stick to carry on luggage!
The airlines do not like people trying to turn their fare structures around to their advantage, and they are trying to catch people who do this. So, keep this in mind: always make your second coupon the unused one. If you bought a cheaper ticket from say, Peoria to Detroit, with a change of planes in Minneapolis, and discarded the first coupon, and then tried to board the flight in Minneapolis, the airline would know you were a “no-show” in Peoria. They would ask for proof that you actually flew from Peoria to Minneapolis, and you wouldn’t have any proof, because you didn’t fly there.
Remember, although it is not illegal to use this trick, a lot of airlines prohibit it or frown down upon it. All major airlines, except for Southwest prohibit Secret # 11.
Something else I wanted to share with you is basically the airline’s reservation system. To look at the same exact fares that the airline reservations agent looks at when you call their toll-free number to book a flight, follow this link: http://www.air-fare.com/cities.htm
From this website, you can click on the hyperlink for your departure city, or the city closest to your city and the site will automatically redirect you to the destination cities that you will be able to choose from..
Here’s a sample of the results you’ll get when you’ve followed the directions (the sample I’ve chosen is from Newark (EWR) to Los Angeles (LAX) for round trip fares. As you can see from the sample below, the fares range from $285.00 to $1722.00.
NEWARK TO LOS ANGELES - ROUND TRIP FARES
1) LOWEST COMPANION FARE - [- TKT BY 22MAR -]
[- ADD FUEL SURCHARGE -]
NW-K $ 285.00 14-DAY ADV/SAT STAY NOON TO NOON MON-THU/PM SAT BEGIN TVL
2) LOWEST STANDARD EXCURSION FARE - NO REFUND ( UP TO $100 AIRLN CHNG FEE )
[- ADD FUEL SURCHARGE -]
ALL $ 317.00 14-DAY ADV/1-DAY MIN BEGIN TVL 6DEC01
3) 2ND LOWEST STANDARD EXCURSION FARE - NO REFUND ( UP TO $100 AIRLN CHNG FEE ) [- TKT BY 22MAR -]
[- ADD FUEL SURCHARGE -]
NW-K $ 335.00 30-DAY ADV/SAT STAY NOON TO NOON MON-THU/PM SAT BEGIN TVL 1APR02
4) LOWEST 21-DAY ADVANCE - NO REFUND ( UP TO $100 AIRLN CHNG FEE )
ALL $ 358.00 14-DAY ADV/SAT STAY
5) LOWEST REFUNDABLE FARE
[- ADD FUEL SURCHARGE -]
TZ-H $ 640.00 NO ADV/ BEGIN TVL 21JAN02
6) SECOND LOWEST REFUNDABLE FARE
[- ADD FUEL SURCHARGE -]
[- BLACKOUT 16DEC99-10JAN00 -]
TZ-Y $ 1076.00 NO ADV/ BEGIN TVL 21JAN02
7) LOWEST FIRST CLASS AT COACH FARE
HP-Y $ 1490.00 COACH UPGRADE TO FIRST - NIGHT FLIGHTS BEGIN TVL 21MAY01
8) LOWEST REGULAR FIRST CLASS
HP-F $ 1722.00 NO ADV/ 7:45PM-3AM
Here are some instructions on how to read your results, found on air-fare.com:
Internet Air Fares uses a fast way to find the lowest air fare to meet your circumstances, from 21-day excursion fares, to last minute departures, to first class at coach fare.
We call them "Benchmark" fares -- the lowest ones in each category of travel. Use these fares as a benchmark in comparing the "convenience" of other airlines with higher fares.
With each benchmark fare we give ticketing deadlines, blackouts and other restrictions that may affect your decision.
You may want to first check the "BIG FARE CUT" index daily to see if airfares from your departure city have fallen substantially (more than 20%) since the last reporting period. If your departure city is listed, click on its name to read the list of destinations where fare cuts have occurred.
Alternately, from the city map on the main page, click on your nearest departure city to check the best air fare for your travel requirements, then compare fares on other airlines for convenience. Remember, cheap is seldom convenient. Convenient is seldom cheap.
The fare report for each city divides airline fares into either Non-refundable or Refundable round trip fares. Within each division, fares are organized according to the advance purchase requirements. Most, but not all, Non-refundable fares currently may be changed for an airline imposed fee of $100.00. If there is a deadline for purchasing a given fare, it is noted in the header, for example as [- TKT BY 05APR -] Keep in mind that airlines can withdraw an air fare at any time.
If there are any blackout dates (dates on which the fare does not apply), or requirements to complete travel by a specific date, these are displayed for example as:
[- BLACKOUT 04JUN-16JUN -]
[- COMPLETE BY 15JUL -]
From time to time airlines will offer conditional fares which require two or more people to travel together on the same flights. These will be shown in the heading as LOWEST COMPANION FARE. Some fares are good only for the weekend and these are shown with the header of LOWEST WEEKEND FARE.
The actual fare line will show the code of the Airline and the class of service for which the fare applies (e.g. DL-K/AA-Q), which means Delta in "K" class and American in "Q" class. If you are unsure of the airline code, review the list at the end of this page or ask your travel agent. The displayed fare amount includes current federal taxes, but does not include additional airport fees, federal surcharges (determined by how many airports your itinerary includes), or airline ticketing fees.
Following the fare amount is pertinent data on key restrictions, such as advance purchase requirements, minimum length of stay, permitted days and times of travel, etc. For simplicity, days of the week are abbreviated MON, TUE, WED, etc. Travel is permitted between the days of the week when a "-" separates them (e.g. MON-THU means travel is permitted Monday through Thursday. Days of the week separated by a slash "/" mean that travel is permitted only on those specific days (e.g. MON/WED/FRI)
Internet Air Fares does not try to be all-inclusive in describing fare rules. You will find only the major rule provisions that have the greatest impact on travel decisions and costs.
From time to time, a new fare will appear before we have programmed in all of the major fare restrictions. In this case the airline code, class of service and fare amount will be presented, but you will need to ask your travel agent for pertinent restrictions.
These air fare reports are perishable. Yesterday's report is outdated and need not be kept (other than for reference). Your cache file is overwritten each time you access your departure city on the website.
Please be aware of the following when you book your flight:
POTENTIAL ADDED COSTS TO YOUR TICKET
These are some of the additional charges, taxes and fees that may be added to the cost of an airline ticket depending on your final itinerary, as well as the airline, agency or reservation site you choose.
Passenger Facility Charges: Federal Law permits U.S. Airports to collect up to $4.50 each time you depart from their facility. A maximum of four such charges are allowed for each itinerary, so it is possible to see a maximum of $18 in PFC costs. Most Airports charge only $3.00
Federal Excise Tax: Federal law requires a $3.00 tax on each flight between U.S. airports. This is in addition to the standard 7.5% Federal tax applied to all published U.S. fares.
Federal Security Tax: Federal law requires a $3.00 tax on each flight between U.S. airports to finance security operations.
International taxes: Travel from the U.S. to international destinations, including Canada and Mexico, can result in taxes up to $99 or more, based on the cost of the ticket or or special services required to process entry into a foreign country. Travelers arriving in the U.S. are subject to a $1.45 agricultural inspection fee, $6.00 Customs fee and $5.00 immigration fee.
Airline Ticketing Fees: Airlines no longer
cover the cost of having their tickets issued by second party issuers such as independent internet airline reservation sites or local travel agencies. These costs are covered by a separate amount applied at the time of ticketing ranging from $5 to $30, depending on the second party issuer. There is only a $10 ticketing fee for each ticket issued through the Internet Air Fares link to the Worldspan Reservation system.
Administrative Change Fees: Airlines may charge up to $100 if you need to change the return date/time on a restricted domestic U.S. ticket. For changes to the return portion of a restricted international ticket, the Airline Administrative change fee may be $100 for travel to Canada, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean, or $150 for travel to Europe and Asia.
For a totally unused non-refundable ticket, airlines generally permit you to apply the value of the ticket to future travel on their airline under the same passenger name and under the same general conditions presented above, less the Administrative fee.
Fuel Surcharges are relatively “new” and can increase your fare by as much as $40.00.
I sincerely hope that you have a safe and happy journey, and that you will find the cheapest fare on any flight you choose.
I’ve included many web links, and checked each one of these sites individually.
On most of the sites, I’ve compared fares, both for international and domestic flights.
The fares varied.
I’ve done years of research and have come to realize that the only way to get the lowest
fares if you’re booking online is to “comparison shop.” What that means is visit as many
sites as you know or can come up with and search. Yes, I know most of you are thinking,
this is going to take forever. But, grab a cup of coffee and sit yourself in front of your
computer or laptop and plan on spending a few hours. If you’re willing to spend some
time, and do the comparison shopping, you’ll have extra spending money to take with
you on your vacation.
The sites I listed below are quite interesting. There are two categories I placed them in.
The ones labeled “Visit these sites before you travel” range from practical to pretty
interesting. Some sites have passenger experiences. Some even offer advice from
passengers who have been “bumped”, have gotten first class free, some even explain how
they’ve gotten the lowest airfare.
I went to spend some time now talking about first class. On nearly every flight I’ve
taken, I’ve sat in first class. What’s so great about first class anyway? And why do so
many passengers want to sit there? First,about the seats. On most airplanes, the seats in
Coach are upholstered with cloth, usually dirty cloth contaminated by the thousands of
passengers that take flights on the plane every year. In first class, the seats are usually
made of leather, which is not only buttery soft, but is also easily cleaned. And yes, it is
cleaned by the flight crew, unlike the Coach seats, which are commonly cleaned monthly by a janitorial service. What else is so “great” about first class: the service. While coach
passengers have one flight attendant for approximately every 50 or so passengers, first
class passengers have one flight attendant for approximately every 4 or so passengers.
While that may not seem that important, it does come in useful when you’re taking a long
flight and want someone to be attentive. Another plus to first class is the food. While
most of the food for coach is pre-packaged sub-par food, the food for first class is
typically cooked onboard the aircraft. That means the food is cooked fresh and is
typically made to order. I’ve had shrimp, scrambled eggs, steak, and many other
specialty foods in first class. In coach, I’ve had a turkey sandwich which was prepackaged
with mayonnaise (which I don’t eat), but which would not be replaced.
Of course another reason is the “prestige” that goes along with the first class seat. Most
first class passengers enjoy when the coach passengers walk past them to go sit in the
back of the plane while they’re already sipping their cocktails, before the flight has taken
off.
So, enough about why first class is so great. Let’s talk quickly about what NOT to do to get into first class. : Do not attempt to “bribe” the ticket agent. It will get you nowhere. My coworkers and I have had hundreds of passengers hand us an airline ticket, passport, and a $50 or $100 bill with the ticket. The passenger would then say “first class please.” Now, first of all, the first class ticket is normally from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars more expensive than a coach ticket. So, a $50 or $100 bill will only make you look stupid.
Now, remember, if you’re not checking in any bags, but are just carrying carry-ons, you
will be able to check in at the gate, with the gate agent. If you’re willing to do some
bribing, you may want to bribe at the gate. You should know that if you’re going to do
this, you should show up at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure.
Don’t slip the money with the ticket and try to by sly about it. The agent will know what
you’re trying to do, but you’ll have to say it. All you have to say is something like “Is
there any way I can get into first class…if I could, I’d like you to have this tip for your
help.” That way, you can get the “tip” back if the agent can’t get you into first class.
You’re probably wondering, how much should I give? Well, if you’re going
international, I would say $100 bill would be adequate. If it’s domestic, $50 would be
perfect. Of course if you’re not willing to spend any money on getting into first class,
you can either try the tip above or simply ask the gate agent. The ticket agent will NOT
be able to upgrade you. Normally it is the concierge who is in charge of the upgrades for
international flights and some long domestic flights. But for shorter domestic flights, the
gate agent is in charge. And there will normally be two or more gate agents. If one of
them that you’ve asked says NO, I would not suggest asking another. Another thing you
should be aware of is what you wear if you want to get upgraded to first class. As an employee, they always would warn us not to wear jeans or sneakers, or we would not be able to sit in first class. Once, I was asked by an agent to change my clothes if I wanted to sit in first class. (I was traveling as an employee and the agent asked me if I had “dress
clothes” in my carry-on). I had to change in the airport restroom and when I emerged, I
was quickly upgraded. That does not necessarily mean that you need to dress as if you’re
going to a wedding ceremony. What it does mean is that you’ll need to be neat and tidy.
(This is not a requirement, but it will definitely boost your chances).
Visit these sites before you travel:
www.tips4trips.com
http://www.fly-free.com/
http://www.thirdage.com/travel/heart/stressfree/knowwhat.html
www.navigant.com
www.asirt.org
www.kropla.com
www.iatan.org
www.magellans.com
www.iapa.com
http://www.travelshop.de/english/airlines-e.html
http://www.iapa.com/
http://www.travel-library.com/air-travel/consolidators.html
http://www.vacationweb.com/discountair/
www.airlineticketsinfo.com
http://www.skyteam.com/EN/index.jsp
http://www.travel.org/airlines.html
http://www.etn.nl/discount.htm
http://www.bootsnall.com/
www.flyertalk.
com
http://airtravelcenter.com/indexb.html
http://www.aesu.com/index.htm
http://www.connectedglobe.com/travelselect/
http://www.aircourier.org/
http://www.twarp.com/air.htm
For Domestic & International Travel:
www.airgorilla.com
www.globusjourneys.com
www.ticketspinner.com
www.airfareplanet.com
www.airlineconsolidator.com
www.travel.com