I’ve been sort of a snotty pants when it’s come to airline miles.  I even wrote a post questioning the value of airline points.  Lately, I’ve found more bang for my buck with hotel points.

However, I’ve noticed a trend lately that seems to once again favor collecting air miles (not over and above hotel points, but in addition).

The Case for Airline Flyer Miles

Rising Cost of (Domestic Only?) Plane Tickets

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been booking some stateside travel.  We’re basically traveling to the same city pairs we’ve always traveled (though in different directions).  However, I’m finding that tickets are a lot more expensive than they were the last time I booked.

I thought it was just me until I saw an article on the increasing cost of plane tickets.

Personally, I don’t know if the phenomenon is affecting international cities since those tickets still seem as cheap as I remember. I do think we are seeing an increase in the cost of domestic travel.

What that means is that as the price of flights increases, your miles become more valuable.  If I used points for some of the flights I’ve been booking, I could get a 1.6 cent value per point.

Of course, the most lucrative way to redeem miles has always been on international travel.

Fuel Price Increases

As the price of fuel continues to increase, we may eventually see an increase in prices or the addition of fuel surcharges.

This might be a void issue depending on how a company adds the surcharge.

If it is an additional surcharge, then you’ll have to pay it with points either way.  However, if the surcharge is added within the ticket cost (like I think it should), then your points automatically become more valuable.

Very Lucrative Airline Flyer Miles Credit Card Bonuses

Back in the days before I organized my points with Award Wallet, I had a Word Document that I used to track my points.  I honestly don’t know how old this information is, but here’s a table I had in the document:

Compare that to current airline flyer miles points offerings:

1. American – 75,000 points with $4,000 in the first six months.  No annual fee for the first year.
2. NWA/Delta – 25,000 points at first purchase.  No annual fee for the first year.  Check baggage fee free (with restrictions).
3. Continental – 50,000 points at first purchase.  No annual fee. OR 30,000 miles and $50 cash back.
4. US Airways – 35,000 points at first purchase.  No annual fee.
5. United – 30,000 points and $50 cash back.  No annual fee.

You can view most of those offers on my top airline credit card offers post.

Those are some serious differences.

Right now my family is looking at options for using some of the 300,000 points we got from the American Airlines Citi card.

We’re thinking about flying from Rome (FCO) to Cheyenne, Wyoming (CYS) with a stop at JFK (7.5 hours from my home).  For our family of five, we would need to use 100,000 points and $220.  Considering that is over a $10,000 value, we think we’ll get some good use out of those credit card points.

The Case Against Airline Frequent Flyer Miles

#1 – Very Lucrative Credit Card Bonuses

What do you think happens when there are more fish in the sea?  The food gets scarce.

The same thing is true of points.  When there are more points being offered, you’re sure to find a time when it is harder to redeem the lowest value points.

Right now my suggestion would be to find the airline with the best redemption frequency and focus your earning on those airlines.

That’s why I recently got the Southwest credit card.  I know that Southwest has generous allowances for free flights.  I also love the fact that American has a good availability and one-way award booking.

#2 – Fees and Surcharges

Some airlines can charge ridiculously high fees to book miles.  British Airways and Air France seem to have especially high fees ($250 and up for economy from North America to Europe).

#3 – Early Planning

There’s just no way around the fact that if you fly with miles (as a family especially), you need to be prepared to book early. The longer you wait, the less flights you’ll be able to find.

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Airline Flyer Miles | The Value of Jumping Back On the Bandwagon

Related posts:

1. Airline Frequent Flyer Points: Are They Useless?
2. Refund Airline Tickets | How Do You Get Your Money Back?
3. 5 Cool Benefits of British Airways Miles

Not everyone is a travel geek like me. 

For me, vacations are as much about the journey as the destination.  The journey, of course, is the planning process where you get to scour hundreds of websites looking for the best deals.

Folks who don’t like all that souring often overpay for travel because they only visit one website. One of the best ways to save money on vacation is to spend a little extra time on the front end researching the best price. 

Here are 25 websites that are my travel bread and butter. I find I often end up visiting these sites time and time again.

Best Travel Planning Websites

Best Money Saving Travel Websites

Priceline.com and Hotwire.com - Both Priceline and Hotwire are opaque booking websites. This means (using hotels, as an example) you don’t know the exact hotel brand before you pay for the hotel. Instead, you only know the area where the hotel is located, its amenities, and the its rating (i.e. 4 Star). However, since you don’t know all the booking details, these sites drastically reduce the prices. As such, they are a preferred choice for hotel bookings. By being flexible, you will get huge savings – like 50% or more. You can learn how to get the best hotel price in Hotwire and find the cheapest price between Priceline and Hotwire. You can also book car rentals and flights through Hotwire and Priceline.

Carrentals.com - CarRentals.com searches several car rental companies and comes back with the lowest price. I recently booked a car using carrentals.com and I found the price was better than Priceline and Hotwire. The best part? I even got to choose my rental location. This was good because I could guarantee an airport location, and I will be able to get frequent flier points with my rental.

Expedia.com - If you’re not a Hotwire or Priceline fan because you want to know the exact travel details, Expedia will likely have your best price for hotels and a competitive price for cars and flights. For hotel stays, they tend to offer many discounts for stays over 3 days. Those prices are rarely found on other websites.

Orbitz.com - When booking airfare, Orbitz typically has the best price. In addition, they have a price assurance guarantee which is an extra nice perk. I’ve never taken advantage of the Price Assurance so I can’t vouch for its effectiveness and validity. All of my recent international flights have been purchased from either Expedia or Orbitz.

Yapta.com gas a great tool for tracking the price of plane tickets either before you book or after they have been purchased. If your airline offers a refund for price drops then Yapta can save you hundreds of dollars. Best of all, it is a free service. I recently got an email that a ticket I bought dropped $146. Unfortunately, the airline I booked with doesn’t offer a price drop refund. Next time, I’ll check Yapta’s list of airlines that offer price drop refunds and book with one of those airlines if they have a competitive price.

WhichBudget.com - If you’ll be traveling overseas, WhichBudget will save you a ton of money. Most of the sites mentioned so far won’t be checking prices on budget airlines. Be sure you don’t overlook a budget airline by visiting Which Budget. Which Budget will let you know if there is a cheaper flight alternative for your city pair.

Cheapoair.com - Looking for discount airline tickets? Before booking, be sure to check out cheapoair so see if they have a competitive price.  Their pricing structure tends to be a little more complicated so be sure you are comparing prices with all the taxes and fees.

Sidestep.com/Kayak.com - Sidestep and Kayak are owned by the same company and do the same thing – get travel information from a bunch of websites and easily show you the prices in one click (aggregation site). Sidestep is often the first site I visit when planning a trip. It is a quick way to get a good idea of ticket prices. From there, I always dig deeper, but for the most results with the least amount of effort, Sidestep is the way to go.

Tripeedo is much like Sidestep except it will open your search into multiple (10+) windows. This sometimes allows them to find a lower price, but some people find the multiple windows quite annoying.

Sky Scanner is another aggregation site that tends to pick up more budget airlines. In addition, if your travel is flexible, you can search by month allowing you to build your vacation around the cheapest prices.

Southwest and Southwest Vacations - I am a huge fan of Southwest Airlines. The fact that they don’t charge for baggage is reason enough to book travel with Southwest. On top of that, their airfare tends to be lower than other airlines. It is a fantastic organization with great customer service. If you’re traveling as a family, the only downside is their family pre-boarding policy. Also, for one way travel, it is hard to beat Southwest’s prices.

Best Trip Planning Websites

Finding the best deal is only a small part of the vacation planning process. Here are some websites that will help make your travels more enjoyable.

SeatGuru.com – When you visit SeatGuru, you can enter your airline and aircraft type, and they will help you find the best seats for your flight. When my wife and I flew to Australia several years ago, we got seats at the back of a Qantas flight where there were only two seats in the row (instead of three). We loved the extra space. We never would have known about the seats unless SeatGuru pointed them out.

TripAdvisor.com - When you’re trying to decide between a few hotels or planning what to do on vacation, you should visit Trip Advisor. They have customer reviews and suggestions that can save you a lot of hassle on vacation. Our family has avoided certain hotels just because of the Trip Advisor ratings. In addition, we’ve planned an extra day trip just because of the positive reviews we read on Trip Advisor.

Award Wallet – If you have more than one frequent flyer account, this free service (you can get a paid service if you wish) will be appealing to you. It helps you easily track all your award points in one single location. As an added bonus, when you make travel bookings, those are added to your profile so you can have all your upcoming trips in one easy-to-access location.

Points.com – With points, you can trade and exchange points between programs.  Be careful!  The exchange rates are usually not very friendly so only use it if you need enough points to get a free flight or hotel. 

Best Road Trip Websites

I get it. Not everyone flies on vacation. So here are some great tools to help you plan your road trip. Of course, one of your first decisions will be if you should rent a car or drive your own on the road trip.

Gas Buddy.com Plan to get gas at the cheapest destinations along the way. Last year on a trip from Wyoming to Nebraska, I didn’t stop for gas in time and ended up paying an extra 50 cents per gallon. Gas Buddy could have saved me that money.

Fuel Cost Calculator When planning the road trip, the fuel cost calculator will give you an estimated fuel cost for your trip. It is a great tool for helping you set your vacation budget. Just enter your vehicle type along with your departure city and destination, and you’ll get your results in seconds.

Best Reward Programs

This part will be the most debated of all. The “best” reward program really depends on your travel preferences, travel destinations, and so many other factors. However, in my opinion, the best reward program is …

Starwood Hotels Starpoints – I only discovered the Starwood Starpoints program 3-4 years ago, but it is the best travel rewards program out there. They have excellent earning opportunities and a fantastic rate of return on your points. You can use your flight to book hotels, book flights, or even transfer to other points programs. In my experience with collecting points, they offer the most flexibility and most value – all in one reward program. Top it all off with excellent customer service and nice hotels, and I’ll give Starpoints two thumbs up.

Other helpful sites if you want to collect a lot of reward miles:

Free Frequent Flyer Miles – If you’re into accumulating frequent flyer miles, you need to check out this website. This site tips you off any time there is a flyer miles related promotion. If you’re going to travel, you might as well get free travels.

Mr. Credit Card – If you want to use credit cards to score flyer points, Mr. Credit Card will gladly help you develop a good strategy and point out the best deals via his blog.

Best Free Travel Newsletter

Frequent Flyer – I subscribe to the Frequent Flyer Newsletter (free) to be sure I don’t miss any travel related promotions and the buzz in the travel industry. You’ll enjoy reading about travelers’ experiences with different airlines and that will help you pick a better airline for your upcoming travels.

Best Travel Related Blogs

Nomadic Matt – Matt shares his travel experiences as he crisscrosses the globe. Those who are fulltime travelers or wanna be fulltime travelers will enjoy keeping up with Matt’s endeavors.

Upgrade: Better Travel – When you subscribe to this blog, you won’t miss any of the latest travel news. You’ll know who’s changing their policies, who’s going bankrupt, and who’s talking mergers. If you want to know the latest industry news, this is the blog to visit.

Chris Guillebeau – Chris isn’t really a travel blogger per se, but he travels a lot and often blogs about his experiences. If you want to live vicariously through another traveler then Chris is the guy to follow. By the way, if you’re in small business, you’ll also pick up fantastic business tips along the way.

Well, there you have it. Enough travel websites that you don’t have any excuse for overpaying on your next vacation. Do your research, pack your bags, grab your tickets, and get ready for a relaxing vacation.

This post has been edited and reprinted from a post originally published at Money Help for Christians.

Anyone else have any good travel related websites you would recommend?

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> 27 Websites to Visit Before You Book Your Next Vacation

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This morning there was an email in my Inbox.  Actually, there were about 100 emails in my Inbox.

However, there was one I was particularity interested in reading.  The title: Announcing the All-New Rapid Rewards® Program! One of my favorite programs, Southwest Rapid Rewards, is changing.

The first line: “On March 1, 2011, Rapid Rewards^® will introduce an all-new program with exciting enhancements”.

As I read, I had serious reservations about two of the words – exciting and enhancements.  I think the changes are neither exciting, nor are they enhancements.

What is Changing with the All New Rapid Rewards Program?

To summarize: Lots.  It is more like a whole new program rather than some slight changes to the old one.

Thumbs Up Changes to the Rapid Rewards Program

1.  No blackout dates

2.  No seat restrictions

#1 and #2 are not really big deals because Southwest already had one of the highest redemption rates available for seats.  While I’ve often had trouble making bookings with other airlines, Southwest has always had a seat for me.

3.  Points don’t expire (as long as you have a flight or Partner earning activity every 24 months)

This is a huge positive change.  Since we’re now living overseas, we don’t fly SWA as often as we like, but when we do fly every couple of years, we spend a lot of time on Southwest flights.

Thumbs Down Changes to the Rapid Rewards Program

1.  Moving to a points based system instead of a credit based system.

In the good old days, you got on a flight and you could earn 1 flight credit.  Get 16 flight credits, and you’re on your way to a free flight.  In fact, one of my favorite Southwest travel hacks is breaking a trip into multiple itineraries for extra credit.  One time I flew from Houston to Little Rock.  Round trip, that would have earned me two credits.  I bought one ticket from Little Rock to Dallas and another one from Dallas to Houston. I paid $5 more for my tickets, but I got four points instead of two.

But, long gone are those days.

2.  Points will now be awarded based on what you spend.

I hate airlines that use this system.  I completely understand why they do it from a business standpoint.  It is aimed at controlling people like us who find the cheapest possible flights when they travel – and they get rewarded the same as everyone else.

As you can see, the cheaper your flight (cheaper flight classes), the less points you’ll earn.

Last month I bought a ticket from LAX – DEN.  The ticket cost just under $60.  Under the old system, I would earn one credit for that flight.  Under this new and less improved system, I’ll earn 360 points.  Those 360 points translate to around 1/3 of a credit.

I understand SWA’s change, but I think for those of us who find the best deals this is a HUGE NEGATIVE CHANGE.

What happens to existing credit?

Existing credit will count towards the new points system.  Now, you’ll need to get the appropriate number of points to get you to a free flight.

Get details here.

Final Verdict on the All New Rapid Rewards Program

Overall, I think these changes are good for SWA, good for business travelers, and bad for those of us who want to travel cheap.  So, from my perspective, I give the changes two thumbs down.

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> All New Rapid Rewards Program by Southwest | Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

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Have you ever been on a flight with a screaming toddler or baby?  I certainly have.  My babies have even, at times, been the screaming culprits.  Thankfully, my children generally travel well. 

I’ve been embarrassed for other parents when I’ve seen them struggle with their toddler who didn’t want to buckle up when the fasten-the-seatbelt-light was on.  Honestly, I’ve also been annoyed.  However, since I entered the world of parenting five years ago, I have become more patient and compassionate of such situations.

It seems, though, that children get a bad rap when it comes to flying.  Who says that the young, honeymooning couple without kids, the elderly, or even the business man should get priority? 

For whom are these public flights designed?  I was shocked to hear that there was even a discussion about whether or not kids should be allowed to fly.

I understand that everyone wants to get to their destination safely and comfortably.  Everyone – including families with young children.  Without the ability to fly, these young families would instead endure endless hours of driving to their destination, or boating across the Atlantic.  Not always a feasible option.

Shouldn’t a little more consideration be given for every traveler?  That bright screen on the laptop might keep the baby awake across the aisle.  That tall guy’s long legs might be crowding your foot space.  Two other women may be telling stories so loudly with colorful language which you’d prefer your eight-year-old not hear.  

There’s got to be a way for everyone to fly together.  Here are a few of my ideas:

1.  Air travelers need to realize that since it is public transportation, there might be a few inconveniences.  Those inconveniences might include sitting next to a man who is taking up one and a half seats, listening to a baby cry for half of the flight, or having to stand in the lavatory line for 10 minutes.  Public anything means that you have to deal with the public.

2.  Parents should do their best to control their children.  This sounds like a no-brainer, but I’ve seen parents who let their kids run up and down the aisle unattended, throwing things, and bothering passengers. Sure, there might be a baby who cries on the descent because her ears are hurting.  (Breastfeeding on the plane is a great way to curb this problem.) But toddlers shouldn’t be allowed a free-to-roam pass from their parents during the flight. Instead, parents should play airplane games and keep them busy.

3.  Notice a need that someone has and help them.  If an elderly woman can’t lift her carry on to the overhead bin, jump up and help her.  If there’s a single mother traveling with kids, at least give her a smile.  Better yet, play peek-a-boo with her toddler for a few minutes.  Keep your voice quiet so the tired business man can get some rest.  In short, have consideration for other people.

Public travel means we all have inconveniences and we all have obligations to help each other make the trip as comfortable as possible.  If you’ve chosen to take public transportation, such as a plane, decide to make it a better experience for all travelers by going out of your way to help others instead of getting annoyed or upset. 

And if you don’t like it, you should consider buying your own private jet. 

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Should Kids Be Allowed to Fly?

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This article was written by Timothy Ng who is a regular personal finance writer and part of the team at Credit Card Finder, a 100% free Australian credit card comparison and application service. Visit the Credit Card Finder website for more information on the available frequent flyer credit cards.

The cost of air travel has increased dramatically in the last few years. Many people have even stopped holidaying abroad because of the rising prices. There are some very smart and easy ways to cut the cost of your flights by thinking, and planning ahead.

Since the heyday of air travel in the decade after the Second World War, the level of service has declined steadily from what we would now consider to be excessive ‘super’ first class, to not far above the cattle truck level.

For many years, this seemed alright because the ticket prices went steadily down as well, relative to average earnings, meaning that by the late 70s almost everyone could afford to fly if that was the best or only means to travel to their destination.

Massive increase in ‘peripheral charges’

All of a sudden, things have gone wrong. Increased fuel prices, greatly increased security costs, sky-high (sic) aircraft and equipment outlay and maintenance costs combine with higher taxes (including environmental ‘green’ taxes), higher airport costs and much higher peripheral expenses to make air travel now an extremely expensive option in many cases.

Obviously, prices go up and down during the year and there are special offers to be had, but overall the cost of a flight nowadays is approximately twice and a bit more what it was 20 years ago in relative terms, even if the ticket price is roughly equivalent.

What has happened is that especially on ‘discount’ flights, the airlines have started to charge for everything, and charge through the nose. No more complimentary headphones, meals, drinks and blankets can be found, and if you have tried to sweet talk a couple of kilos over your luggage weight through without paying, I’m sure you know what I mean.

If it isn’t enough to need to take a mortgage out on a car park space or a taxi ride to the airport, just being in an airport these days will probably cost you an arm and a leg, and it probably won’t be long before you have to pay for waiting seats or even a place to stand.

Don’t forget most airports already charge to use the lavatories, and food, drinks, books and newspapers are all hugely overpriced. What galls even more is that duty free is no longer a bargain, in almost every case it will not save you money.

Ways to save money on airline tickets

So what can you do to try to beat the airlines at their own game and maybe save some cash in the bargain? There are a few important things worth remembering.

Cheapest ticket price often doesn’t mean cheapest flight. Read the small print, and see exactly what you get, and exactly what extra you will have to pay.

Absolutely take the minimum luggage with you, make sure you accurately weigh it and allow some leeway for bathroom scales, which often can be out by more than 10 %.

Make sure you know what you can carry on and what you can check in without paying, and do not exceed it. Remember it is cheaper to buy a kilo of clothes and toiletries at the other end than it is to carry them on a plane at excess baggage prices.

Check in detail the food and drink rules, both for the flight and for the airport. If you can take your own, then do so. It would be almost impossible to make something worse than the standard fare they offer, and the prices charged are exorbitant. If you have to choose a flight that doesn’t allow you to take your own food, fill up beforehand and sit it out. Don’t forget some customs regulations may limit what you can take with you as well.

Try and be flexible, and check in early. Most flights these days are overbooked, and if you volunteer early enough to be ‘bumped’ if all the seats are full, you can get reasonably good compensation for taking a later flight. This will only save you money if you are prepared for a wait.

Always take your own headphones, books, entertainment and anything else you need with you, but be aware that they will weigh them too unless they are in your pockets.

Lastly try to get a friend to drop you off but make sure first they won’t have to pay to drive you into the drop off area.

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Smart Ways To Save Money On Airline Tickets

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Attention first time fliers! I read this on one of my facebook friend’s statuses today: (Please excuse any incorrect grammar or lack of consideration in the post!)

“Note to people who dont fly much– when the plane shakes a little, do not put your head on your knees, grab my shoulder and start repeating oh my god, oh my god. Also, when the “thud” occurs during the planes descent, it is typically the landing gear and not a hole ripped into the bottom of our airplane… oh and the air thingy above my head is actually meant to be for me– not ANOTHER source of air for your big head”

Thank you, facebook “friend”, for some helpful (yet uncompassionate) advice. I hope I can be of a little more help to first time fliers.

I clearly remember the first time I flew on an airplane. I was 18 years old (yes, an adult!) the first time I flew. I think my children all have me beat, as each of them have flown before they were even 2 months old.

I was so excited, yet I didn’t have a clue what it would be like to actually fly. As a first time flier, I hadn’t been informed about a lot of things. I was taking a flight from Nebraska to Toronto, Ontario for a mission trip. Our coordinator prepared us for the mission trip, but neglected to teach a few of us first time flyers what it was like to fly. I remember being completely in awe when we flew through our first pillow of cumulous clouds. I never knew clouds looked like that! Amazing. Seeing everything from a bird’s eye view was incredible. I just couldn’t believe I was actually flying. I felt like a little child waking up to the wonder of it all on Christmas morning.

17 Things First Time Fliers Should Know

1. You must go to the check-in counter when you first arrive at the airport. Check in at the counter of your airline. I didn’t even know there were so many airline options! Then proceed to security, and finally to your gate. There are usually small restaurants on the way if you need a bite to eat. But I would eat before heading to the airport, as food will be more expensive there.

2. Keep your ID/passport/boarding passes handy when you arrive at the airport. You’ll need them frequently.

3. Your tray table is actually connected to someone’s seat. On my first flight, I remember getting so excited and leaning forward so I could see out the window. Little did I know, I kept bumping the passenger in front of me. Oops!

4. To open many lavatory doors, you must push on the middle of them. I remember feeling embarrassed when I couldn’t open the door. Lavatories are generally at the back of the plane. If the seatbelt light above your seat is on, you must remain seated, however. Be prepared for a HUGE gush when you flush. Those airplane toilets are LOUD and powerful.

5. You can request a blanket if you are cold. I didn’t realize that I’d freeze on the plane. Now I always carry a long sleeved shirt or jacket with me. You can adjust the flow of air above your head by turning the nozzle.

6. You must store your carryon luggage under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. Don’t try to keep your bag on your lap or by your feet. Flight attendants will ask you to move it.

7. If you get sick, there is a white bag located in the back of the seat in front of you. Unfortunately, I’ve had to use one before. And I’m sure glad I knew it was there!

8. There is a call button above your head to get help from the flight attendants. Use it sparingly.

9. You will be in close quarters. Try to keep your arms in your own space. It’s a little awkward sitting so close to a perfect stranger. If you have long legs, request an exit row or be ready to be scrunched up for the duration of the flight.

10. If you have children, you will likely get some disturbing looks. Usually when I walk on the plane with my little ones, I can tell everyone is thinking, ‘Please don’t let her sit by me…’ Then there’s the sigh and breath of relief as I pass on down the aisle.

11. Listen to the flight attendants. They are in charge.

12. If you are in an exit row, you must be willing and able to assist in case of an emergency. If you don’t want to sit there, politely ask to be moved.

13. Seats recline in most rows by pressing a button on your armrest. Be considerate of the passenger behind you.

14. Be friendly and considerate of others. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with your rowmates – unless, of course, they look like they’re trying to snooze or are in the climax of their novel. Offer to help someone get settled in their seat by lifting their bag to the overhead bin. Be patient and helpful if you’re sitting by parents of young children.

15. You might have to pay for drinks or snacks. On many airlines, gone are the days of complimentary soft drinks and peanuts or pretzels.

16. You must sit in your assigned seat (as indicated on your boarding pass) unless you’re flying an airline like Southwest. If the flight seems empty after everyone has boarded, it is okay to find a seat in an open area.

17. There could be turbulence, but it’s usually mild. So, just sit back, enjoy the flight, and don’t forget to look at those clouds as you fly by.

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> First Time Flying? 17 Things You Must Know

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In a few ways, traveling is like investing.  You watch for the price trends, anticipate future prices, and then eventually you lock in your price by buying your tickets.

Well, not really.  Most people just remember, hey I forgot to buy plane tickets, so they jump online and buy the tickets.

One of the worst feelings when you book travel is buying an airline ticket and then finding out that the price has dropped.

How Do You Get A Refund For Airline Tickets?

When purchasing plane tickets, you need to go ahead and add a value to your ticket purchase price depending on the refund policy of each individual airline.

In other words, some airlines are a better deal simply because they have a better cancellation policy.

For example, in the States, Southwest Airlines has one of the best airline policies.  When you buy a ticket on Southwest, if they drop the price on that ticket you can simply cancel your first itinerary and repurchase it at the lower price.  In fact I recently saved $500 by using my own lowest price guarantee with Southwest.  You will then end up with a travel voucher for the difference in price.  That voucher can be applied to future air tickets.

Even if you decide not to take your trip and you cancel your flight, that money will be changed into a voucher that you can use for an upcoming flight.

When my wife and I have had unpredictable travel plans (i.e. flying only days after the birth of our son), we have purchased via Southwest because we could cancel if our plans did not work according to schedule.

Here’s a helpful list provided by Yapta for airlines with the best policies in terms of price drops:

Airlines that offer refunds for any price drop = Alaska Airlines and Jet Blue Airlines

Airlines that offer a compensation for a price drop of $75 or more = AirTran and Virgin America

Airlines that offer a money back for a price drop of $100 or more = Haawian Airlines and Midwest Airlines

Airlines that offer it for a price drop of $150 or more = American, Delta, Continental, US Airways, and United.

Here is a full list of airline rebooking fees for both domestic and international travel.

Of course, another way to get a refund for airline tickets is to purchase travel insurance or trip cancellation insurance.

While your travel insurance won’t cover changes in price, they will refund airline tickets if you are forced to cancel your trip for a qualifying reason.

Your ticket class impacts your ability to get a refund.

Typically, the cheaper your ticket, the less likely you are to get a refund.  Most airlines do have a ticket class that is fully refundable.  Just remember, you are going to pay 2-3 trips cost just to get the one ticket that is refundable.

Yapta.com Can Help You Get A Refund On Airline Tickets

Anytime you purchase a plane ticket, sign into your Yapta account and enter your flight information.  Yapta will then monitor the pricing of that flight.  If the fare drops, you will be contacted so that you can get your refund (if you purchase through an airline with a qualifying refund policy).

Even if you don’t get a refund, by entering your ticket information it can help you track trends for future travel.  Over time, you will notice a pattern of when your destinations seem to go on sale.

Have you ever had to get a refund on airline tickets?  What other refund airline tickets tips do you have?

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Refund Airline Tickets | How Do You Get Your Money Back?

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You may be asking, “When is my newborn baby old enough to fly?” - if you didn’t complete all your traveling while pregnant. 

In my case, I delivered two of  my babies on our furlough (break from the mission field).  We were on a tight schedule since we only had a limited amount of time with both of our families and supporting churches while in North America.  Since my second and third children were born in Canada (where Craig’s family is from), we planned to travel to the States to visit my family shortly afterward to spend some time there.  We wanted to leave as soon as we could after the baby was born.

Special note:  If you are traveling internationally, be sure to leave plenty of time to obtain any government approved paperwork in order to secure the travel documents you may need.  This can be a headache, considering you don’t have a whole lot of time if you’re traveling within the first few weeks of your baby’s birth.  Do the research before the baby is born so you can be prepared to get all the travel documentation organized on time for your trip.

While there are probably some who disagree, if your newborn is healthy, there is no reason why he or she can’t fly.  I understand there are risks associated with being around lots of people and contracting the common cold or such, but flying does not have to be prohibited.  I also understand that some people prefer not to take their newborn baby out in public for a few weeks.  Obviously, this is a personal decision based on your preferences.

Flying With Newborn Babies

Most airlines allow babies who are at least two weeks old to fly.  It is important to double check with your airline to confirm this before booking your flight. 

I would recommend getting a doctor’s note to take with you in case you are questioned at the check-in counter.  The doctor just needs to verify the baby’s age and give a clean bill of health.  My pediatrician in Canada wrote a very brief (2-3 sentences) letter informing the airline that there were no health concerns and that it was fine for my newborn baby to fly.  You may not even have to present the letter at check-in, but you’ll be glad you have it with all of your important travel documents just in case.

My two youngest fliers had to have a doctor’s note because they were not yet even two weeks old on their first flight.  (They first flew on Southwest Airlines.) My son flew at just 13 days old, and my youngest daughter was only 12 days old.  The good news??  They did just fine.  They arrived at our destination without any sickness.  In fact, they probably didn’t even know they had been thousands of miles in the air.  They slept better than anyone on the flight!  Come to think of it, I slept too.  When they weren’t sleeping, I was able to breastfeed on the plane, and they were perfectly content.

FYI: Newborns are much easier to travel with than a crawling 10 month old or a busy two year old.  But, don’t worry.  There are ways to keep even the busiest of children entertained on the plane.

Would you ever fly with a baby as young as two weeks old?

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> When is a Newborn Baby Old Enough to Fly?

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Breastfeeding on a plane is one of the best ways to soothe your baby .  There have been so many times when I’ve been flying and been incredibly thankful that God gave me this natural gift! 

I know that breastfeeding is not accepted in public by some people in various parts of the world. However, I have never had any problems with breastfeeding on an plane. 

Maybe it’s partly because you can do it so inconspicuously.  And other passengers, even if they realize what’s going on, wouldn’t have the guts to be bothered – especially if it’s keeping your little one quiet. 

Tips for Breastfeeding on a Plane

1.  Request a window seat or ask to switch with someone after you board.  Having a window seat affords you a little extra privacy, and you don’t have to worry about your infant being bumped on the head when someone walks down the aisle.

2.  If you’re sitting beside a stranger and you need to breastfeed, use the breast you are most comfortable with and the one that will bother the other passenger least.  Sometimes when I’m getting my baby all set, I have accidentally elbowed the passenger beside me.  (They just don’t give us much space to do this on the plane!).  Other times, I have had a baby who likes to kick while they breastfeed.  This can be a little disturbing to your next-door passenger, too.  Just be sure you are aware of the other person’s space.

3.Wear appropriate nursing attire.  When I fly with a nursing baby, I always wear a nursing tank (as opposed to a nursing bra) under my shirt.  Nursing tanks offer much more cover-up.  I like that my stomach doesn’t have to be shown every time I go to breastfeed my baby on the plane.  A nursing tank is also best when you’re in the airport and can’t find a private place to breastfeed.

4.  Carry an extra receiving blanket with you on board.  This can be used for covering up a baby on a chilly plane and for being more discreet with breastfeeding. Personally, I don’t cover my baby’s head when breastfeeding – even in public.  I wouldn’t want to eat with a blanket covering my head!  (That’s why I wear a nursing tank, and I pull my outer shirt down just to my baby’s nose.  There’s nothing inappropriate showing that way.)  Most of the time, I don’t think people even realize I’m feeding my baby.  It just looks like she’s sleeping.

5.  Breastfeed your baby as often as you need to.  Don’t be afraid to change your feeding schedule or break your ‘rules’.  Traveling with children on a plane provides all kinds of challenges.  Do what is best in this particular circumstance, and forget some of your rules – for now.  When you’re on the plane, do what is best for your baby and the other passengers.  If you can’t soothe your baby any other way – (even if you just fed her 3 times!) – try breastfeeding again.  It usually helps calm your baby and keeps the other passengers calm, too!  If you’re lucky, your baby will fall asleep.

6.  Try breastfeeding on a plane during take off and landing.  My children often have problems with their ears (especially on the descent).  Older children can be given gum or lollipops or taught to pop their ears.  But breastfeeding is the perfect sucking solution for an infant’s ear problems on the plane.

7. Listen to the advice of the crew members.  When I’ve had a fussy baby, I’ve even had flight attendants suggest that I breastfeed my baby.  They’ve seen it done many times, and it often works!

Any other tips for breastfeeding on an plane?

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Breastfeeding on a Plane

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Hotwire.com and Priceline are consistently the cheapest travel options.  Hotwire

It is important to remember that both of these sites are opaque travel sites (you do not know some exact details when you book) so you must have some flexibility.  If you are unfamiliar with the opaque travel websites you should read an introduction to opaque travel websites. 

How To Get the Best Price Between Hotwire and Priceline

Step One: Go to Hotwire.com

Step Two: Once you have your Hotwire price standard, go to Priceline and be sure to click on the “name your price” tab.  At this point you decide what price you want to suggest, but just make sure the price and fees come to less than $79.50.  You might just knock off $10, or you could do more if you wish.  You will have opportunities to change details and revise your offer if you want.  If you can get the hotel for cheaper with Priceline, great! You have officially found the lowest price.  If, on the other hand, Priceline cannot get you anything for your Hotwire price, just go back to Hotwire and make the booking there.  Enjoy the trip. It will be easy because you will have a cheap, but very nice hotel.

Before You Decide Between Priceline and Hotwire

Even though I am specifically speaking about Hotwire and Priceline, don’t forget to check Sidestep and Expedia to see if you can grab a great deal with a hotel’s posted price. Nine out of ten times you will be better off with either Priceline or Hotwire, but just in case this is the one time – check.

4 Extra Suggestions on How to Reduce Your Air Travel Fares

1. Start planning early – the more time you have, the more likely you are to find a great deal. This is especially true during busy holiday seasons.  If you plan your trip at the last minute you will pay dearly.  My advice is to book your tickets as soon as possible.
2. Be flexible – often the more options you have (i.e. I can leave on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or I can leave in the morning) the more likely you are to find a great deal.
3. Commit some time – the emphasis is on “some”. You do not need to get to every site, but check out three or four key sites (www.sidestep.com, www.expedia.com, Hotwire.com and www.priceline.com).
4. Be smarter than the computer (check prices between each major hub) – computers are amazing in that they can find endless scenarios for booking your tickets. But the truth is that they can only do what you tell them.  Remember with airline tickets 1+1 does not = 2.  When booking tickets if you have a stop somewhere you can sometimes save if you book one set of tickets to the first city and another set to the other city.  Sometimes buying two tickets is actually cheaper than one.

Which site usually gives you the best price – Priceline or Hotwire?

To leave a comment or easily share the article with your Facebook or Twitter friends click here -> Hotwire and Priceline: How to Guarantee the Lowest Price

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