FLY 101
SAVING ON AIRFARE AND BENEFITING FROM FREQUENT-FLIER PROGRAMS
Objectives
This session is intended for travelers who want to learn how to find and book the cheapest available airfares, see the world on a limited budget and even become frequent-flier experts or airline junkies — but are unable to afford the more business-oriented longer and in-depth classes, FLY 201 and FLY 202.
FLY 101 provides a solid foundation, on which you can build later. It covers many of the topics in the longer classes, but in less depth and sophistication. It also includes booking exercises, so please bring a laptop.
REGISTRATION FEE: $399
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Syllabus
I. Planning a trip.
1. Booking essentials:
a. Booking classes and fare codes;
b. Airline tariffs — rules, conditions and legal routing;
c. Airline inventory — booking-class availability and what it can tell us;
d. Creative routing to save money;
e. Nonstop vs. direct flights;
f. Seat assignments and selecting the best seat on the plane;
g. Code-sharing — positive and negative aspects;
h. Additional fees and how to avoid them.
2. Preparing for a flight:
a. Travel warnings and weather advisories;
b. Anticipating delays and cancellations and rebooking if necessary;
c. Canceling a nonrefundable ticket;
d. Missing ticketed segments;
e. Avoiding customer-service lines;
f. Knowing what exactly to ask an agent to do for you if you need help.
Recommended reading:
Airlines refuse to honor mistake fares / U.S. warns airlines on fare mistakes / Hidden perils of airline code-sharing / Openness rattles airline industry / Airlines abuse ‘direct’ flights / Cheap airfares endure / Airline fare school / Flight schedule changes overwhelm agents, travelers / Fare sales often lost in translation / Round-the-world fare mysteries revealed / U.S. airlines handle disruptions best / Back to basics of air travel / Cancel trip, but don’t lose ticket / Rebook flights at no cost / Get refund if airfare drops / Airlines require credit cards at check-in / Airlines work to catch up to the digital age
II. Frequent-flier programs and mileage redemption.
1. Choosing the best program for you:
a. Basic elements and features;
d. U.S. vs. foreign programs;
e. Global airline alliances — basics and comparison;
f. Maintaining several accounts;
g. Non-flight earning options;
h. Buying and transferring miles;
i. Elite levels and benefits.
2. Elite benefits and making the most of them:
a. Cutting lines — on the phone, at the airport, on waiting lists;
b. Dealing with the best airline agents;
c. Airport lounge access;
d. Waived fees — ticketing, awards, standby, luggage, seat assignments;
e. Additional award inventory;
f. Upgrades — strategies and sponsoring others;
g. Bonus miles;
h. Dedicated customer-relations line;
i. Agents’ willingness to bend rules.
3. Award tickets:
a. Determining the smartest use for your miles;
b. Understanding award charts;
c. Sources for checking award availability;
d. Strategies and tactics for award searches;
e. Creative routing and carriers — the advantages of a human brain vs. a computer;
f. One-way and miles-and-cash awards;
g. Award rules and fees, stopovers and “open jaws”;
h. Releasing award seats and award blocking.
Recommended reading:
‘Tweaking’ airlines’ yield management / United’s ‘award’ blocking an issue in Continental merger / Customers gain sway over airlines / American ends stopovers on ‘awards’/ Airlines curb ‘award’ tickets / Is airline elite status still worth it? / Air miles’ value drops / Being airline elite can be simple / United executive breaks old barriers / Keeping track of your trips / Educating the flying public
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Also see the syllabus for:
FLY 201: Airfare intricacies, booking secrets and strategic travel planning
FLY 202: Mastering the frequent-flier game and flying in luxury
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