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Flying has never been more
affordable and accessible, however for many it is still a
headache to navigate the myriad of offers, policies and
booking procedures in the marketplace.
At
travelsupermarket.com we firmly believe
travel is for everyone. That's why we have put together a
checklist to help you make the most of what is on offer,
whether you're grabbing a last minute Christmas break,
looking forward to an Easter getaway or planning ahead for
some summer sun.
· Plan
early
– for flights it is generally true that the early bird bags
the best deal. This definitely applies to scheduled airlines
and low cost carriers and for charter operators it is always
true for busy periods such as school holidays. Make a
shopping list of everything you need to book -
flights,
accommodation,
car hire,
insurance,
airport parking and
fun things to do in your
destination.
· Decide
when and where you want to go
– that sounds easy but for many people it is the first
stumbling block as flexibility is the key in securing a
great deal. I find it best to start with the window I have
available to travel. Decide on the minimum and maximum
amount of time you want to be away for, along with your
ideal length of trip. This flexibility will save you money
later.
· Shop
around
- use a price comparison website such as ours to search for
your flights. This allows you to look at hundreds of
providers with one search, saving you time and hassle and
allowing you to compare the flights on one screen. If you
can't decide where to go and are just looking for a bargain
then check out
bargain hunter - a great way to see what is
on offer at the moment.
· Consider
what is important to you
- is it the timing? Is it the airline? Is it important that
you have in-flight meals, select your own seat, or take
luggage such as surfboards and golf clubs? Click on "airline
details" from the results page and we can help you make a
decision in one stop.
· Look
at alternatives
- always consider travelling from an alternative airport to
the one you use most often. There are now huge numbers of
flights operating from the many airports located around the
country and you might be missing out on a great deal by not
considering them. It can often be cheaper and quicker to fly
through a smaller regional airport than one of the main hubs
such as London and Manchester. Regional departure points are
usually quieter, easier to navigate with fewer queues and
are often easy to access by car or public transport. The
downside is that they have fewer direct services and less
facilities within the airport itself such as last minute
shops, currency exchange and duty free.
· Consider
an alternative arrival point
- if you are heading to the Costa del Sol and Andalucia,
everyone thinks of Malaga as their first choice airport.
However, there are now services to Almeria, Murcia, Granada,
Gibraltar, Seville and Jerez from the UK, all serving this
area. Your ultimate destination may be nearer to one of
those airports and thinking outside the box could save you
time and money!
· In
for the long haul
- if you're travelling for an extended period the last thing
you want is more delays so try and book the first or last
flight of the day to reduce the time you have to wait
around. Look at direct flights because changeovers will only
increase the likelihood of delays or misplaced baggage -
however, bear in mind that flights with changeovers can save
you money. Also ask about the plane's "seat pitch" before
you travel - this is the legroom. Thirty-one inches is the
minimum for someone who is 6' tall.
· Make
the booking
- it is not likely that the price you see is going to stay
that way for long. Demand drives prices, so don't sit around
waiting for the price to drop as in most cases it does not.
Click through to your chosen flight and follow the
instructions to make your booking. Ensure you have the full
names of your travelling companions, as well as dates of
birth as some operators require this information. Remember,
these names must match the name on your passport.
This will prevent issues at check-in, which will cost you
money to change later - if you are allowed to change at all!
Before confirming, ensure you read the booking conditions.
These make it clear whether you can change or cancel your
booking at any time and what penalties there may be. When
paying you will need a credit or debit card. Save money by
using debit cards when booking - they usually work out much
cheaper.
So you now have your flights
booked! At this point it is vital that you have
travel insurance to
cover you, especially if your flights are non refundable.
Select from either a single trip or annual policy to suit
your needs.
Find a car deal or check out
our hotel offerings using our
car hire and
hotels
search functions. These offer a massive range of deals and
save you time and money. Check out our recommendations on
car parking and links to
activities in your destination. All are
designed to save you money and by planning ahead you can
avoid that last minute dash to get ready. I know I would
rather spend that time concentrating on packing and looking
forward to my break, making the most of my holiday!
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