Price Points That Are Commonly Ignored While Searching Cheapest Fare Flights
Cheap flights are searched for by millions who have to take a flight in near future. The airline prices in US keep changing due to dynamic pricing which makes it even more important for prospective travelers to keep checking the air ticket prices. When people search for flights, whether on airline websites, agency websites or meta search (also called fare comparison) websites, generally the fares on given on the listing page are looked. These are the fare of a single ticket for one passenger and does not include any ancillary or special request price which has to be made. So, while you will get an idea about the prices at this stage, in order to know total cost of flight, it is suggested to add all ancillary products or services you need to know the price.
So, what are the price elements which might have to be added to the published fare at the subsequent stages of online flight booking?
1. Taxes
2. Convenience Fee, also called the Service Fee
3. Carry on and Check In Baggage
4. Meals
5. Seat Selection
6. Travel Insurance
7. Web Check-in
If you want to have any of these services or products from the airline for the flight, then add the charges associated with these.
In US, except for Southwest Airlines, the other airlines charge for the carry-on and check-in baggage. So, if you are seeing their lower prices but you have to take baggage, do check the prices they levy for these bags.
Low cost carriers and Ultra Low Cost Carriers do not include meals within the fares. You have to pay for it separately.
The airline might either assign the seats on its own or it might put charge on window, aisle and other seats for preferential selection. So, just check whether there is a separate charge for the type of seat you need.
Insurance is also recommended for travel and it is good to buy it for protection of goods and yourself. The cost of this insurance shall be determined before booking the flight.
Similarly, if the web check in service is not free, then its cost also gets added up.
Besides, there can even be charges pertaining to change of itinerary or cancellation of the tickets, if there is any chance of doing it. So, do factor in the fee charged by airline towards these.
