Start searching for a flight several weeks ahead of your departure, but according to the Clark Howard Show website, wait for a deal that is far below the normal fare pattern before you purchase your ticket. If you are open to any destination for your vacation, purchase tickets that are drastically marked down and start your planning from there. This route is wonderful for anyone who wants to travel the world, and anticipates saving money on travel. If you insist on traveling to a particular city or destination at a specific date and returning on an exact date, expect to pay signficantly more for airfare. When you are making your flight ticket choices, read all of the fine print and look for hidden charges, such as taxes or fees, that can add almost $250 for international flight fare purchases and approximately 20 percent to domestic ticket costs.
According to the Clark Howard website, if you are purchasing your flight, cruise or train tickets online or through an agent, you need to buy travel insurance. Choose coverage on your own, rather than from the company from which you purchase the tickets, as their insurance is going to cover them, not you. Your travel insurance policy should cover a tour package, cruise or other travel in case you become ill and cannot go on the trip and request a refund, or in case the company, airline or tour agency goes bankrupt or defaults. Expect to pay approximately five percent of the travel costs you are insuring. When you purchase your policy, pay the deposit and all payments by a credit card, not from your checking account or with a debit card.
When traveling internationally, in particular to European countries, the Clark Howard Show website says to never pay full fare prices for travel. Choose the low season that runs from November 1 to March 31. From April 1 to May 31, and in October, the travel season is moderate and costs are slightly greater than the low season. Stay away from the peak travel season lasting from mid-June to mid-September if you want to save money on travel and accommodations. If the summer months are the only option for travel because you teach, your children are in school or you are in college, consider travel websites that offer discount travel for students and teachers, such as STATravel.com. Be flexible when choosing dates and destinations. Remain patient when planning and purchasing travel and hold out for discounted pricing.
