can be found below):1. Book your reservations as soon as possible. As soon as
you know you'll be making a trip, call your agent and book the flight. Business travelers are used to paying top dollar for last minute flights.
Beating the 7 or 14 day deadline can lower your fare considerably.
2. Travel at off-peak times. Often flights that depart between
6-7am and 7-8pm offer less expensive fares. During the week, flights on Tuesday through Thursday (before noon) can be less expensive than weekend travel. A Saturday night stay is usually required.
3. Avoid changes. Anytime you change a reservation, you increase the chance that the fare will be more
expensive. Airlines have a limited number of seats they sell at a promotional fare; the closer to the date of
departure that you change a reservation, the less likely those less expensive seats will be available.
4. Utilize meeting fares when possible.
When ten or more travelers from your company will be traveling at the same time (even if from different cities) consider getting a discounted fare from the airlines. Our Group Department
can help you in negotiating this rate, just give us a call.
5. Void tickets rather than refund. If you return an unused ticket to Teplis Travel before the end of the next
business day, the ticket can be voided. It is as though the ticket was never issued in the first place, saving the cost of a refund fee. This is especially useful for penalty and non-refundable tickets.
6. Consider direct and connecting flights. Non-stop flights are the most convenient, and the most expensive
option available to travelers. By taking flights that are direct (with one or more stops, but without plane changes) or connecting (with plane changes) you can often lower your fare considerably.
7. Consider alternative airports. When there are several available options as to which airport near your
destination you will arrive, have your agent check the fares on all options. For instance, rather than flying into
Tampa International Airport, consider Sarasota and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, which are both less than an hour away.
8. Accept penalty fares.
Keep in mind, penalty fares aren't completely nonrefundable. As their name implies they can be reused, but with a penalty. As a general rule, the more restrictive a fare is, the less it will cost.
9. Consider using public transportation once you arrive. Many cities have very practical connections with
public transit, such as Atlanta, Chicago or London. Others like Los Angeles or Nashville are more problematic. Of
course the location of your destination within the city will determine if public transit is a viable option. And keep in
mind four cab rides are often less expensive than a rental car when you consider parking, gas, etc.
10. Always use a travel agent to book your travel.
Your agent has access to thousands of fares through their computerized reservation system. Our experienced agents can offer suggestions, customize your itinerary, book
hotel and rental car reservations and check your airline tickets before you go, saving costly changes later.
