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JET LAG
Weary Business Travelers Look For Ways To Cut Flying Costs And
Hassles
By Kim O’Connor
Shake-ups across the air travel
industry have given even the most seasoned travelers a newfound fear of flying.
Faced with sagging sales and rising costs, airlines have taken increasingly
drastic measures to cut their losses by implementing fare hikes, add-on fees,
layoffs and route cuts.
The good news is that now more than ever, the
power to plan a smooth trip is in your own hands. Learn how to reclaim those
friendly skies by following a few simple steps.
Shop Smart
Online tools have made booking your own travel arrangements easier than
it has ever been, but the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming.
Streamline your search by using a free Web tool like Kayak.com. This comprehensive and
efficient travel search engine compiles the best fares from most major airlines
and lets you search major third-party booking sites such as Travelocity and
Expedia with a few extra clicks.
A Kayak search will give you the lay of
the land, so you can estimate how much you’ll spend and how much time you’ll
need to set aside for travel.
Keep in mind, though, that travel search
engines have blind spots. Southwest Airlines, for example, does not list its
flights on any third-party sites. It’s almost always best to book your ticket
directly with the airline, even if you find the lowest fare on another site.
Most airlines offer a low-fare guarantee and won’t charge a booking fee if you
buy your ticket online.
As you evaluate your options, be aware that most
airlines have adopted an a la carte pricing approach. In 2008, many airlines
started charging extra for services that used to be free, like speaking to an
agent over the phone or checking luggage. Frequent fliers are usually exempt,
but most travelers can expect to pay $15 to $25 per bag.
Visit www.kayak.com/airline-fees for an overview of which airlines
charge for what. But to avoid unwelcome surprises, make sure to check your
airline’s Web site for up-to-date information before you pay for your ticket.
Hire A Travel Agent
Still overwhelmed? Now is a great
time to hire a travel agent, whose fees have become more affordable in the wake
of do-it-yourself Web sites.
Barbara Seaver, a technology consultant
based in Chicago, has her travel agent book each of the 20 or so trips she takes
each year.
“My agent can see all the options,” Seaver explains. “She has
the software and the capability to find combinations that work and give me the
least expensive ticket at the best time. It just makes life so easy.”
Because of their long-term relationship, Seaver’s agent knows that she
prefers an aisle seat and tracks her rewards program points.
More
importantly, a good travel agent can help clients mitigate snafus as they arise.
Many will even waive rebooking fees when your travel plans change due to, say, a
client’s shifting schedule or your unexpected brush with the flu.
Stay Savvy
Finding a good fare might feel like a coup,
but keep your eyes peeled and your ears open even after you’ve paid for your
ticket.
Most airlines will keep you posted about the status of your
flight if you register for notification via e-mail, phone or text message. Do
yourself a favor and take care of this simple step just after booking, so it
won’t slip your mind.
While you’re at it, program the airline’s customer
service number in your cell phone; that way, it will be handy if something comes
up.
Jeffrey Kovick, spokesperson for United Airlines, recommends that
you take advantage of technology when it’s time to check in for your flight.
“We encourage customers to take advantage of the self-service mechanisms
that can help them navigate through the airport more quickly and easily,” he
says. “In addition to the easy check-in kiosks that are at the airport,
customers can check in online.”
Most carriers allow you to check in up
to 24 hours before departure, which will save time at the check-in counter when
you arrive at the airport.
Similarly, security checkpoints are evolving.
Some airports offer expedited lines for frequent fliers who can, with the flash
of a pass, bypass long waits with less experienced travelers. Other airports
have self-selecting security lines that don’t require elite status with an
airline; watch for signs labeled “expert travelers” to take advantage of this
option.
If you encounter an unexpected delay or cancellation once you’re
at the gate, proactively search for alternatives.
For a region-wide
issue like bad weather, your best bet is to pursue more than one course of
action simultaneously and immediately. Try calling customer service from your
cell phone as you seek out a customer service desk or, better, a self-service
kiosk. Often, disrupted fliers are automatically rebooked by an airline’s
customer service staff, but until you have a new itinerary in hand, assume that
you are your own advocate.
Travel Comfortably
Most major
airlines offer members-only lounges for travelers who pay an annual fee. Rates
vary from airline to airline, but you can expect to pay around $500 for a
yearlong membership or $50 for a day pass.
Amenities, which usually
include complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity and snacks, also vary, so a day pass
can be a great way to scope out the goods. You can usually subtract the cost of
the day pass from the annual membership fee if you like what you see.
For frequent travelers, airline lounges provide respite from the hustle
and din of the crowd at the gate. Seaver, a long-time member of United Airline’s
Red Carpet Club, uses the lounge to relax or stay productive on days when her
work can’t wait.
“One morning, I had promised something to a client,”
she recalls. “When I got to the airport, I went immediately to the Red Carpet
Room and turned on my computer, got it done and sent it out. Otherwise, I would
have been up until two in the morning the night before.”
Also, most
lounges have a dedicated staff that can provide personal assistance with
rebooking and seat selection—another valuable perk.
But you don’t have
to spring for a lounge to follow the experts’ best advice for a smooth,
successful trip: Try not to rush.
“Busy airports and full planes are not
just the realm of peak holiday days anymore,” points out September Wade,
spokesperson for American Airlines. “Give yourself plenty of time every step of
the way.”
Plan to arrive at the airport at the recommended time, and
then pad your schedule with 10 to 15 extra minutes for every stage of the
journey—traveling to the airport, parking, riding a shuttle, checking in, and
going through security. A few extra minutes at the gate are well worth your
peace of mind.