Cheap flights : how do I find cheap airfares ?

Finding cheap flights is a complicated business that even seasoned travel agents find a challenge. The best advice, if you have the time, is to shop around, as while most companies offer cheap flights , none can guarantee the best deals to all destinations. Also note that many travel websites and travel agents will not offer both scheduled and charter flights , and few will offer flights on low cost, budget airlines (such as Easyjet, Ryan Air, Flybe, and BMIBaby) as they offer no commission to travel agents and encourage customers to book direct for the cheapest airfares .

As a general rule, to get the cheapest airfares b e flexible with flight times as midweek flights are often cheaper than those on weekends. If you are flexible enough to fly indirect or leave at an anti-social hour, airfares are likely to be less.

What are the differences between charter flights and scheduled flights ?

Most business and long haul flights are operated by scheduled airlines, wellknown companies such as British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, American Airlines etc. Budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair are also scheduled airlines. Most scheduled airlines (with the exception of the low-cost airlines) distribute their fares through Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), which travel agents and travel websites use to search for fares.

Charter flights are organised by the major tour operators and are used to transport their package holiday customers to popular holiday beach resorts in the Greek Islands , Spain , Mallorca , Ibiza , the Canary Islands and so on. Charter airlines only operate during peak seasons, so usually between April and September for Mediterranean beach holiday destinations and December and April for ski holidays . Charter airlines generally only sell flight packages for one- or two-week durations, with most flights leaving over the weekend. While most seats are taken up by package holiday tourists, charter airlines also offload spare seats to the public. This is mainly done via travel consolidators who buy seats in bulk and sell them at a profit.

How to get cheap flights with Scheduled Airlines

In theory all major travel agents should be able to get the same airfares for scheduled airlines though this is not always the case and it's always worth shopping around. In order to get the cheapest airfares be as flexible as possible – if you are prepared to be flexible with your dates and to fly indirectly you will find cheaper airfares. You must however remember that the cheapest flight is not necessarily the cheapest option. Flights which return at two in the morning may mean you have to get a taxi home or sleep in the airport, as public transport is unlikely to be running. Likewise if you book with Ryanair (and some other low-cost airlines) make sure you know where you're flying to as they often fly to inconvenient destinations. Barcelona Girona airport, for instance, is 90 miles (145km) from Barcelona and the train to the city may cost more than your flight ! Always bear in mind that some airlines are more comfortable than others, with longer leg-room, and food and drinks included. ( Low cost airlines often charge for food and drink). Also make sure you add the taxes and surcharges to the total as these add considerably to the airfare .

With the exception of the budget airlines , prices for scheduled airlines generally get more expensive nearer the date of travel . The First, Business and Economy sections of the plane are split into different classes. Once a certain class is filled, you have to pay for the higher class.

How to get a cheap airfare with Charter Airlines

Charter airlines are able to offer low prices by keeping their planes full and they will discount heavily to sell seats at the last minute. Likewise, they may raise prices during peak season if the plane is full. Generally it's possible to get the cheapest flights with charter airlines to the main holiday resorts by booking last minute, however you must be flexible with dates. Due to the informal nature of charter flights , airfares can vary between suppliers, so shop around. Remember that the rules for charter flights are very strict – it's not usually possible to change or cancel flights once booked and the luggage allowance is low.

Why can't I book flights leaving from foreign airports?

UK travel agents are only allowed to book tickets for flights originating from UK airports.

Can I get frequent Flyer Miles/Points from any airline?

Most scheduled airlines have their own loyalty scheme or will be part of a large alliance such as Oneworld or Star Alliance. Your travel agent should be able to enter your membership number when buying the tickets, otherwise ensure you keep your old ticket, which you can then fax to the airline or use to enter the details online. It's sensible to use an airline if they offer the cheapest airfare , not simply because you are a member of their loyalty scheme – unless you are flying on business and don't mind if your company is not getting the cheapest deal! As a general rule, the more you pay for a flight , the more miles you get. Charter airlines and low cost airlines don't have loyalty clubs.