More than 40% of those who traveled last year to holiday in our country said to have planned the trip at least three months in advance. We are not, therefore, very lazy, disorganized and short-sighted as one might think. Pragmatism and foresight win, slowly but firmly, to the traditional worship ground for improvisation.
The stimulus that made possible this change of attitude seems obvious: the urgent need to manage more efficiently two increasingly scarce resources: money and time. In other words, ensure that we will leave the best possible and the best possible price.
We are already at the end of May a good time for the lucky ones who can afford to start preparing the summer holidays. Travel agents, wholesalers, hotels and faced with the need for housing and address the crisis, several weeks have been launching attractive discounts and promotions.
In general, for the user, the golden rule is still valid: the more you approach the date of booking the trip on the day of departure, the number of available seats will be reduced and the final cost will be higher.
But the price is not the only factor to consider. Keep a set of guidelines and helpful tips for booking flights and accommodation.
First step: planning well
The Institute of Tourism Studies estimated that over 60% of holiday trips are to the family home town or the beach. It appears that most of the lucky ones who can afford a few days away this summer hardly have the budget last year. 65% of Spaniards were on vacation half of 12 days and spent 840 euros per person.
Must be equal and have fun and relax during the same time, but with less money. That is the watchword. Can I get? Depends on the budget reduction. Anticipate booking flights and hotels and even travel expenses without reducing the quality of the journey is affected.
To get started, accept no more pay. Travel agencies and airlines are required by law to the final price they charge is identical to that advertised. The key is to carefully read the fine print of the contract and not make false ideas.
Is that of “from 120 EUR to the announcement that ends up being 360 euros because the date was not requested in the brief interval which has the most attractive price and has served only to hook.
Before closing the subject, therefore, we must demand the final price of the trip and check that it conforms with the original budget. And every extra that you add to the advertised cost is justified.
Low cost: plum nuances
There is always the option, more convenient and simple to use travel agents for their advice and let professionals who each year are more aware of new technologies and the potential savings and efficiency they offer. The Internet and the management staff are a key tool for recruiting savings flights, car hire, accommodation reservations, tickets to museums and shows.
All these services, the most popular on the Web is hiring flight. Those who travel with more low cost airlines and do not miss the less free snacks or newspapers, and even begin to use the train and bus, and if the underground, to reduce the cost to reach the hotel by taxi or city from the airport, which sometimes exceeds that of the flight.
However, we have not yet adapted to other aspects of online recruitment, such as charging fees for extra baggage. When buying the ticket online, it must be borne in mind that if you travel with luggage must be checked. Recently, many low-cost airlines require the passenger to decide whether or not to check baggage: the fee for each bag ranges from 11 to 22 euros.
Travel insurance is optional and its cost. Some airlines have even restricted the number of bags that can be carried as hand luggage, while they have reduced the maximum weight of packages allowed in cabin subtly forcing the turnover of any bag.
Each passenger may carry only one handbag, but there are also companies that support a purse or backpack, not more than 6 to 10 kilos. The following is the fee for using the bathroom. Sounds joke, but it is not: a low cost company has already warned that it could begin to charge for this service.
Before booking a flight online …
An urban legend states that you can buy last minute plane ticket to a bargain price, and worth waiting. Never mind, it is not true. Almost always, the advance is the best ally to pay less for flights.
All companies love to charge ahead. If you buy flights several months before travel (especially on intercontinental routes) will save hundreds of euros, especially if you choose the most requested dates (August or Christmas).
But you should know that there destalles. The first: a web search flights can compare hundreds of combinations of all airlines, but will be left without any analysis.
Secondly, these sites are, sometimes exclusive access to preferential rates. So it should look first flights collating the results of several specialized sites (Kayak.es, Expedia.es, Orbitz.com, Rumbo.es), the results do not always coincide. If our dates are flexible should indicate in the request for flight (in the section) since the dates vary a little can save a lot of money.
Once the flight should be checked on the website of the airline itself if specifically offer that flight and stay at a better price, of course, with the cheapest option. All the websites of management fees, which may involve more than 10 euros per flight. Finally, in the process of purchasing the flight to check the detailed breakdown of the final price, some companies added in the last minute and by default (no need to activate anything) and insurance costs it may prefer to avoid.
In the airlines should start checking from which airport and which come because, at times, operate from facilities that are tens of kilometers from the city. In this case, it is necessary to balance the total expense and inconvenience of traveling to a distant airport: perhaps a more expensive flight at the top end out cheaper because from this airport you can reach the city by metro.
See the terms of the flight. The purchase of a ticket on the Internet implies acceptance of terms and conditions of the ticket, but most travelers do not get to read the rules on your ticket.
During the booking process, it is common that companies include a link that leads to a list of conditions that inform about the steps to be followed if you want to abort the flight. Many times (if you’re not subscribed to the cancellation insurance) can not override the right to a refund of the amount, and represents a significant loss of the amount paid.
It is important to find the link on the website, as the tab that the customer must dial in case of acceptance is often selected beforehand. If the purchase was made by telephone, the operator is obliged to provide this information if the customer requests.
On the trip we can not overlook one essential point: avoid taking airplanes peak days. Check what it is very easy, just look at one of these sites looking for flights: report of the prices of each day of a month to travel to a particular city.
And no less important is the advance companies offer cheap air travel deals are often only available for the traveler is able to schedule your trip at least 28 days in advance. But those who make the reservation 14 days before, for example, can also benefit from discounts. The dates before and after the bridges and public holidays also host attractive offers.
Online Hotel Reservations Online
When looking for accommodation over the Internet must differentiate the web that offer hotel reservations and places to collect opinions of users who have stayed in hotels consulted.
In the first group are the web to purchase flights, rental cars, vacation packages recruiting, etc.. These companies offer different options depending on user requirements, dates of entry and departure and destination.
Most often hire accommodation along with return flights, but can also reserve separately. Unlike what happens with the flights, the payment is not made immediately on line, but on arrival or departure from the hotel.
To do this, you must print the voucher that the agency sent via e-mail and display it on the destination. However, some hotel companies are running the collection on line, but with right of cancellation. It is essential to have a credit card to make such reservations, a card must be presented at time of payment at the hotel.
Once the flight should be checked on the website of the airline itself if specifically offer that flight and stay at a better price, of course, with the cheapest option. All the websites of management fees, which may involve more than 10 euros per flight.
Finally, in the process of purchasing the flight to check the detailed breakdown of the final price, some companies added in the last minute and by default (no need to activate anything) and insurance costs it may prefer to avoid.
In the airlines should start checking from which airport and which come because, at times, operate from facilities that are tens of kilometers from the city. In this case, it is necessary to balance the total expense and inconvenience of traveling to a distant airport: perhaps a more expensive flight at the top end out cheaper because from this airport you can reach the city by metro.
See the terms of the flight. The purchase of a ticket on the Internet implies acceptance of terms and conditions of the ticket, but most travelers do not get to read the rules on your ticket. During the booking process, it is common that companies include a link that leads to a list of conditions that inform about the steps to be followed if you want to abort the flight.
Many times (if you’re not subscribed to the cancellation insurance) can not override the right to a refund of the amount, and represents a significant loss of the amount paid.
It is important to find the link on the website, as the tab that the customer must dial in case of acceptance is often selected beforehand. If the purchase was made by telephone, the operator is obliged to provide this information if the customer requests.
On the trip we can not overlook one essential point: avoid taking airplanes peak days. Check what it is very easy, just look at one of these sites looking for flights: report of the prices of each day of a month to travel to a particular city.
And no less important is the advance companies offer cheap air travel deals are often only available for the traveler is able to schedule your trip at least 28 days in advance. But those who make the reservation 14 days before, for example, can also benefit from discounts. The dates before and after the bridges and public holidays also host attractive offers.
Online Hotel Reservations Online
When looking for accommodation over the Internet must differentiate the web that offer hotel reservations and places to collect opinions of users who have stayed in hotels consulted. In the first group are the web to purchase flights, rental cars, vacation packages recruiting, etc..
These companies offer different options depending on user requirements, dates of entry and departure and destination. Most often hire accommodation along with return flights, but can also reserve separately.
Unlike what happens with the flights, the payment is not made immediately on line, but on arrival or departure from the hotel. To do this, you must print the voucher that the agency sent via e-mail and display it on the destination. However, some hotel companies are running the collection on line, but with right of cancellation. It is essential to have a credit card to make such reservations, a card must be presented at time of payment at the hotel.
