In today's online travel environment, there are more ways for travelers to take advantage of great fares at a moment's notice.
There also are pitfalls which can cost you hundreds of dollars if you're not careful.
It's almost like the internet is providing an opportunity for travelers to make the same mistakes that rookie travel agents have been making for years! Let's review:
A. Beware of the Phantom Fare. This is a common ploy by airlines to get you to book flights. The problem is this: they list a great fare, but there are no corresponding seats to buy! Right now, Delta lists a fare of $414 roundtrip between Anchorage and Minneapolis. But there are no seats available. In this case, Delta was matching a Sun Country Airlines offer for travel through June 11. But right now, it doesn't matter what airline you try, there are no seats available at that price.
Continental and USAirways both offer a $428 roundtrip fare from Anchorage to Chicago all summer long. But just try and find a ticket at that price! It's a stretch to say it's "impossible" because inventory changes all the time. And, in fact, I expect we will see wide fluctuations on the price since there are three carriers operating nonstop flights (American, Alaska, United).
B. Good connection/bad connection. When we book our travel online, we often are optimistic about our ability to make great connections. Just one click and -- Shazaam! But be careful. When you are booking connecting flights, particularly for international flights, give yourself plenty of time to get through customs and immigration. If you are booking your own travel on two different airlines, you are responsible for rechecking your luggage, too.
Be careful if there's more than one airport. You may think you're flying to New York, then on to Amsterdam. But you may find you're flying into Kennedy (JFK) and out of Newark (EWR). It's a long, expensive cab ride between the two airports!
C. Hidden taxes/hidden fees. Airline pricing always has been a dark art. But it's harder than ever to decipher what the actual cost of your trip will be. For travel within the U.S., the taxes are between 10 and 20 percent of your ticket cost, which includes things like airport fees (PFCs). Add to that any baggage charges and fees for in-flight "meals" or entertainment. In Europe, the taxes and fees can match or exceed the cost of your ticket. My ticket between Frankfurt and Paris is $150. The fees and taxes are about $180 on Lufthansa. Discount carrier Ryanair is famous for tacking on fees to pay for a ticket with a credit card, fees for early boarding, and other nonsense.
If all the moving parts in a travel reservation make your head spin, welcome to the world of professional travel agents. The good news is this: if they're good at their job, they will have keen insight into which combinations are working, which fares are "real" and what's a reasonable connection time at any given airport. Additionally, they may have specialized knowledge about where you're going and what you're doing there. Of course, they'll charge you a fee as well. For domestic tickets, the typical charge is between $35 and $40. International trip planning can cost a little more -- but it may be worth it to have a well-tuned vacation.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.