Showing posts in category Airfares
This post gives the pros and cons of Allegiant Airlines to help you decide whether or not to use it. You will also find helpful tips for traveling on Allegiant Air.
Allegiant’s robust finances
At least in the short term, one thing you probably do not have to worry about is Allegiant going out of business before your trip.
Allegiant Airlines, actually Allegiant Travel Company, attracts considerable attention by making big bucks in this down economy, while providing low fares on nonstop routes nearly never served by other airlines.
Allegiant profits in spite of its rock bottom fares (as low as $9 each way LAX to Monterey last summer) by aggressively pushing hotel and car rental packages on its website and by charging fees above its fares that must make other airlines salivate.
How Allegiant operates
Allegiant considers itself a package vacation company, not an airline in the way we usually think of them.
This is a company that thinks deeply about what it does. From selecting viable routes and airports ignored by other airlines to flying only on days of high customer demand, Allegiant maximizes its revenue. In fact, the airline virtually shuts down on Tuesdays, as it sees so little demand for flights that day.
Frankly, Allegiant serves communities that should have been served by Southwest Airlines long ago, but Southwest stubbornly sticks to a rigid formula of adding only new airports that have potential for flights all day, all week long.
On the other hand, Allegiant seems perfectly willing to hire part-time people, in order to serve an airport for as little as once a day several times a week. Based on the money it makes, this has proven to be viable business model.
LAX service
Allegiant looks for opportunities, even when they don’t fit its usual operating patterns.
When told that a lot of its customers in Las Vegas were racking up rental car mileages way beyond normal, Allegiant found that many of these people were using its cheap airfares to Vegas to access Southern California. Research showed what airports these people were coming from and what airport in California would best serve them.
Not known for flying into incredibly busy airports like LAX, Allegiant does now!
The pros – reasons to use Allegiant
The fares!
Remarkably low priced tickets come especially easily if you are flexible about dates and can avoid the high fees for checking bags ($35 each if pay at the airport) and for advance seat selection and priority boarding.
However, even with its fees, Allegiant’s total cost can be a remarkable value.
Allegiant’s policy says fill every plane. To do this, it lowers fares as necessary to often astonishing levels knowing it will make money via its aggressive fees and car rental and hotel sales. Besides, after a certain point, Allegiant has already broken even on a trip and these additional sales are nearly pure profit.
One-way tickets. Like JetBlue and Southwest, you are not penalized for buying one-way tickets on Allegiant. This gives the added flexibility that many people wish.
The service. In my experience so far, Allegiant employees have been unfailingly excellent, cheerful, and professional. I’ve flown with Allegiant into and out of six airports with no problems.
I’ve also talked with many Allegiant Air customers, who’ve reported no unusual concerns other than the online booking fee described below.
The comfortable leather seats. These do not recline, which gives extra legroom and makes using a laptop easier. Because Allegiant offers no “redeye” flights, lack of recline should present no problem.
Nonstop flights. You don’t connect through “hubs” on Allegiant Air. See its route map. Allegiant serves cities that haven’t seen nonstop service to Arizona, California, and Florida for years, if ever, and customers love this.
Note: If you book a connection, you’re on your own. You must reserve and pay for each sector separately. Allegiant will not be responsible if you miss your connection. It’s best to overnight in Las Vegas or another connecting city if you want to connect.
Cons – things you should know
Think of Allegiant as a charter airline. Its flights are scheduled, but it acts as a charter.
That means, for example, that you have to allow extra check in time if you have not printed a boarding pass online or have bags to check. Check in takes time, as Allegiant seems to allot fewer counter agents than some other airlines and fewer passengers show up with boarding passes already printed elsewhere.
Flight delays
As with most charter flights and airlines like Southwest, if there is a mechanical problem, you will NOT be put on another airline. You will wait for the problem to be fixed or for Allegiant to send another plane—even if you are in Grand Rapids and that plane is in Las Vegas.
As a result, Allegiant may not be the airline to take when you have tightly scheduled vital business meetings or a cruise ship to catch.
The fees.
These are really in your face. Allegiant builds its profitability on high fees.
Free water? Ha! Free coffee? You must be joking. Instead, you’ll be offered bottled water for $2.00 or a coffee-like drink for around $4.00 (I believe).
On some flights, you can even pay a fee to enter a raffle.
The winner gets half the proceeds ($135 on my last flight), a few runners up receive prizes like beach towels and bags, and—guess whom?—Allegiant gets the rest. As those bags don’t come from Gucci, that residual money adds up.
Checked bag fee
Checked bags set you back $35 each (less if purchased online).
Advanced seat selection fee
Choosing a specific seat usually costs $11.00 to 14.00.
Note: Only passengers who have paid the pre-selected seat fee may use online check-in and print a boarding pass before arriving at the airport.
Already having a boarding pass cuts the check-in time needed, if you have no luggage to check, as you can go directly to security and the gate. (You’ll need to ask someone what gate, though, before proceeding through security.)
Because Allegiant seats are configured two by three, with no more than a one in five chance that you’ll get a middle seat, you may wish to take your chances by not paying for advance seat selection.
Priority boarding fee
Although you can pay the optional priority-boarding fee only if you’ve paid for seat selection, priority boarding may be well worth it.
Priority boarding gives you first crack at the overhead bins.
This cuts the chance that there’ll be no room for a somewhat larger than normal carry on, resulting in a $35 checked bag fee.
Online booking fee
Paying extra to reserve online is Allegiant’s most controversial fee. After all, you are paying to use a procedure that saves the airline money!
Frankly, I believe that the online booking fee is a stupid policy—in contrast to so much at Allegiant that is so well thought out. Why have something that attracts so much negative attention and so many unfavorable customer comments?
How many customers will Allegiant lose if it nixes the fee and adds $7.00 to 10.00 to its usually already low fares?
At a conference, I listened to Ponder Harrison, Allegiant’s good-humored Managing Director – Sales and Marketing at the time, defending the fee by saying that you can always make your reservations at an airport to avoid it, but that dog doesn’t hunt.
Allegiant car rentals
Note that several of Allegiant’s busiest airports like Mesa Gateway near Phoenix lack the car rental competition you’ll find at the main airports used by other airlines in these cities. That can make prices higher. Also, the hours some companies are open may be limited.
If you book through Allegiant, normally cancellable car rental reservations become non refundable.
Allegiant hotels
Again, hotels booked through Allegiant become nonrefundable. Make sure the savings are worth it when compared to Hotels.com and to other sites that usually have more liberal cancellation policies.
Customer service
Allegiant does not provide a toll-free number for either reservations or customer service. You can call 1-702-505-8888.
Or, you can present customer service issues to Allegiant’s Twitter account at @allegiantair. Recently, an answer came within moments.
@allegiantair is a good place to keep up-to-date on new routes and specials. Loyal customers are always suggesting new routes.
In conclusion
Overall, passengers love Allegiant Air. Other than its online booking fee, I certainly like this airline. Of course, I don’t travel with several checked bags that can add up to as much as $140.00 extra in fees each trip.
Just be aware that you are not dealing with a traditional airline and keep in mind the cautions and tips above.
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By Don Nadeau, on July 16, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
In an earlier post “How to Pass through Airport Security without Hassles,” I urged travelers to put their laptops on TSR security x-ray belts last, in order to better keep an eye on them, in case thieves are working the area.
Frequent traveler Joel Chusid, who travels more extensively than I do, disagrees.
Putting your laptop on the x-ray belt first, Joel believes, makes it less likely you’ll walk away from security without it, especially if it’s still making its way through the x-ray process.
This is his rather harrowing experience. I thank him very much for his input. You can decide what style works best for you, first or last.
Joel’s experience
“I used to put my laptop in last so I could keep an eye on it.
“On this Sunday evening, I went through security at DFW, removed the laptop and went through my usual routine. Went to the gate, which was nearby, and got immersed into something, newspaper or phone call, and then boarded the plane.
“I remember my backpack went under the seat in front of me rather easily, but didn’t think anything of it. After takeoff, I reached down, and my laptop was gone. I immediately realized I had to have left it at security.
My heart sank since I did not use a password to “lock” the laptop (I do now!), but I also remembered I had my name and phone number(s) on the bottom.
“The next 4 hours turned into the longest flight I had ever taken. When I arrived in Seattle, I checked my voicemail and lo and behold, I had a message on my cell phone and also my home phone from a TSA officer.
“I immediately called him back, and he acknowledged he had my laptop. I thanked him, and he said he would give it to lost and found and to call them the next day. I had a time getting through to them, but a friend who is a flight attendant happened to be at the airport and I called her and she went there.
“She confirmed the phones ring off the hook and to keep trying. I finally got through, and they went through some things to confirm the computer was mine (I had to give her specific things on there to look for since there was no password), and then she asked how fast I wanted it back. I said overnight. I had to give her my credit card info and I got it back the next day.
“Cost me $80 and a hard lesson learned. I put the laptop in first now, and keep an eye on it. I also use a password. I suppose if the checkpoint was really crowded, I would REALLY keep an eye on it, and might put it through last.”
You have to wonder how many people place no identification on their laptops.
Joel Chusid
Joel Chusid serves as General Manager, North America, for Hainan Airlines. Hainan operates an extensive network within China and from other countries to China, including nonstop service to Beijing from Seattle. Joel also chairs The Association of Travel Marketing Executives.
You may follow Joel on Twitter at @joelChusid and @HainanAirlines. You may follow me at @donnadeau.
Again, I thank Joel very much for his valuable input.
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By Don Nadeau, on July 13, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
If you’ve gone through TSA security at a large airport, you know that you may be in for a mess.
- People delayed by being pulled aside due to items left on them,
- Delays due to hand inspections and additional x-rays of bags,
- Piles of confiscated items that weren’t allowed through,
- Loudspeaker announcements asking people to come back for missing laptops, cell phones, or even in one case I heard shoes!
This doesn’t have to be. You can protect yourself by following several simple procedures.
Routine, routine, routine
Always follow exactly the same routine. That means if your mind is on missing your flight, on an upcoming meeting or whatever, you do not have to think very much about security.
First, prepare for security. Do as much as you can before reaching the crowded security area.
If you have these, take off your watch and take out your cell phone, coins, and wallet. Remove any necklaces. Take off your belt. Put these in your laptop case if you have one, as this will be the second to last item you put on the x-ray belt. Try to put valuables in your case while others are not watching you.
Make sure that you have your boarding pass and personal identification readily available before reaching security. Don’t fumble for these there, where you might more easily drop something without noticing.
I use my passport for all flights these days, as this helps security more easily verify who I am.
Follow same order at x-ray every time
Second, always place items on the x-ray belt in the same order.
My small carry on bag goes through first. I keep nothing very valuable in it.
Next comes a TSA tray with shoes, hat (if any), sealed quart plastic bag of toothpaste and other 3.4 oz or less items. (Note: a 5 oz bottle with “just 2 oz left in it” does not count as a 3.4 oz item in the eyes of TSA security.)
In this tray, if I have any, also goes a sealed quart plastic bag of prescription medicines with saved copies of prescription information on the boxes they came in (if bottles have been removed). I place this information face up.
If you’re not sure exactly what TSA allows for carry on or how to pack it, check the easy to understand and extensive information on its website.
Some TSA teams do not require shoes off, but others do. I automatically take them off. Remember this is a routine. You may wish to wear slip on shoes for ease of removal at security, although I stick with my most comfortable shoes with laces and others prefer to wear their heaviest shoes.
Then comes my laptop backpack with laptop removed. (I like my padded laptop backpack because it leaves my hands free and doesn’t tell the world that I am carrying a laptop.)
Finally, the laptop goes in a TSA tray.
Protect your valuables
I wait until person ahead of me has successfully stepped through x-ray before pushing the laptop case and then laptop tray through. That way, I can more easily keep an eye on these.
At security, beware of a team set on stealing. A person in front of you stages a delay at x-ray by deliberately leaving some coins or whatever in her pocket while her partner grabs a laptop or two or other valuables owned by people delayed by the person with the coins.
Our routine works to prevent one of these victims being you.
Have you any suggestions to improve this process? Please comment!
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By Don Nadeau, on May 17, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
Couples flying off on their honeymoons have often faced the hassle of the lady’s last name on the reservation not matching the last name still on her government-issued photo id.
Effective immediately, we all will have to be more careful about the names we use. TSR airport security now requires us to use the full name on our government id for airline reservations. That means the exact first name (Judith not Judy) and FULL middle name, as well as the same last name.
Then effective August 15, 2009, we will also need to give our date of birth and gender when making air reservations. These changes stem from recommendations by the 9/11 Commission.
For more information, see TSA’s Secure Flight Enters First Public Phase
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By Don Nadeau, on May 15, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
Subject to final government approvals, Lufthansa Airlines becomes the new owner of Austrian Airlines.
Austrian has been a feisty little airline that served places other airlines did not wish to go–in some cases perhaps feared to go–such as the Kurd area of northern Iraq.
We’re sorry to see airlines like Austrian lose their independence, but its competitive position was too very difficult.
An airline like KLM can thrive in a small country like the Netherlands by booking connections, but Austrian’s Vienna hub involved too much backtracking to countries in the western portion of Europe for this strategy to be successful.
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By Don Nadeau, on May 3, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
Okay, you have thoroughly researched USA to Australia fares and you’re impressed. There’s an airfare war going on.
Not only have prices gone down, but also you can now stay up to nearly a year on the lowest fare (considerably longer by the way than the maximum stay per visit allowed Americans and Canadians on a regular Australian tourist visa).
Nevertheless, you found that you cannot stopover in New Zealand when traveling to Australia at the least expensive price. As of today, that is on Delta (as of tomorrow who knows), and you really want that New Zealand stop.
Happily, fares to New Zealand have also been going down. They are not yet as cheap as ones to Australia, but they’re in the same budget range.
If you’ve willing to pay a New Zealand low fare price–or perhaps even less–you can include both countries.
There are two ways to do this.
New Zealand on a separate ticket
Currently, it costs nearly nothing to add New Zealand to an Australian itinerary. The Sydney to Auckland route is extraordinarily competitive, one of the most competitive in the world. Not only do Air New Zealand and Qantas have frequent flights, but Aerolineas Argentinas, Emirates, LAN Chile, and Pacific Blue (Virgin) also serve this route.
Here’s how you’ll set up your trip in the least expensive way.
First, buy the cheapest USA to Australia fare once you’ve verified that you can buy a cheap New Zealand ticket for the dates you need. Then buy the roundtrip from Australia to New Zealand.
If you’re having problems finding low fares, adjust your travel dates.
A quick check of roundtrip fares for June showed a U.S. $88 roundtrip fare, including tax, on Pacific Blue from Sydney. Pacific Blue also serves Auckland from numerous other Australian cities.
Besides Pacific Blue, I found a $174 fare (all these are in U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate and include tax) on Aerolineas. LAN Chile, which has a dreadful 5:30 a.m. departure from Auckland, came in at $210. Last year, I used Emirates, which also does Brisbane and Melbourne to Auckland. Believe me, these airlines won’t let their planes fly empty.
Again, a far from comprehensive check of fares showed $234 roundtrip from Sydney to Christchurch on Air New Zealand and Qantas. In addition, both Emirates and Pacific Blue serve this route. Pacific Blue had a $89 roundtrip fare from Sydney to Wellington, a wonderful place to arrive in New Zealand.
You can also “open jaw” your trip by flying into Auckland and out of Christchurch or Wellington or vice versa.
NOTE: Do not schedule same day connections between your two tickets. This is very important. If fact, on your way to New Zealand, you should spend at least two nights in Australia. The reason for this is that if you miss your outbound connection to your trans-Pacific flight in Los Angeles or wherever, you’ll almost certainly arrive in Australia at least nearly 24 hours late or longer. In that case, because you didn’t show up for your New Zealand flight, you may lose the value of this second ticket.
New Zealand as a stopover on same ticket
Second, as an alternative, you don’t have to backtrack to Australia before heading home, unless you want to.
For example, as of today, the cheapest fare from LAX to Sydney on Qantas is around $90 more than Delta.
Qantas allows a stop in Auckland for an additional $150, which makes the total extra cost around $240, still within the range of buying a fare to New Zealand only.
Although its Sydney fare is somewhat higher, Air New Zealand allows free stops in Auckland and places like Rarotonga. Because stops are free, the grand total is not much different than using Qantas.
Using Travelocity.com provides great way to compare fares and airfare rules from the U.S. Instead of imputing dates, select its “Flexible dates” feature. When the price page comes up, click on “Rules” on the right.
You don’t have to read every fare rule detail. Focus on validity dates, minimum and maximum stays, and stopovers. You can usually assume the cheapest fares are nonrefundable, but fees to change your ticket vary.
Note that some airlines like Delta may allow stopovers in their rules, but neither they nor their partners fly between Australia and New Zealand.
Also consider
Although we expect this airfare war to continue with some intensity this year, fares and rules can and do change instantly.
And, although you may not be planning to go to Australia until next North American winter, note that “low season” fares may continue well into December. Try to plan a departure before these expire. If you wait to long to book those last dates before low season fares expire though, you may have to pay more, as they may sell out.
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By Don Nadeau, on May 1, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
With cheap airfares and excellent U.S. dollar exchange rates, this year has turned into a wonderful time to visit Australia and New Zealand.
The techniques found on this post help get you the cheapest fare. Although we use Sydney examples here, these tips work for both Australia and New Zealand.
Check local & regional airports
First, do as you normally do. Check fares from your most convenient airport. Then research several other airports in your general area. Just because airports are in the same part of the country doesn’t mean they offer the same fares.
Use websites with huge buying power like Expedia and Priceline.com (which doesn’t charge booking fees on regular airfares). These often work especially well when you’ve missed ticketing deadlines on airline sites or when airlines want to fill empty seats at prices below what they offer on their websites.
Also check a site like Kayak.com, but make sure all service charges and delivery fees are included in the comparison prices you’ll see.
Check most competitive portion of route
Next, you’ll want to check the most competitive portion of the route. That is Los Angeles to Sydney (or LAX to Auckland or Brisbane or Melbourne if these are where you’re heading).
For this portion, include Qantas in your search, as it tells you which days have the fewest people booked and thus the lowest fares, information that may be applicable to other airlines.
On the Qantas site, type in the dates you most want to travel to and from Sydney. When the price page comes up, look for “View lowest prices around this date” and click on it. This shows you how much, if anything, you’ll save by changing your dates. The fare differences can be astonishing.
Because most people enjoy flying it, Qantas may not be your least expensive choice. By July, Delta, Qantas, United, and V Australia (Virgin) all will be flying nonstop to Sydney. Moreover, both Air New Zealand and Air Pacific (the Fijian airline) offer convenient connections.
Besides these, American and Northwest “code share” (put their flight numbers on other airlines’ flights) and may have different fares.
Especially, if you’ve missed ticketing deadlines, use sites like Priceline to check prices on the LAX to Sydney route. Airlines use third party sites to fill empty seats with prices lower than on their own websites.
I also check Travelocity. On popular routes like this, it like Qantas allows you to see when lowest fares are offered over a range of dates. Just use its “Flexible Dates” function, instead of typing in specific dates.
Consider using two tickets, but know the dangers
Now you know the difference in price between buying a ticket from your closest airports and buying one starting your trip in Los Angeles.
If this difference is substantial, you may wish to consider buying a separate ticket on an airline like Southwest to Los Angeles.
However—this is very important—using separate tickets creates risk when you want to connect on the same day.
Southwest or JetBlue or whatever airline you use won’t be responsible if you miss your connection at LAX. And your trans-Pacific airline may show no pity if you do not check in on time. On trans-Pacific routes, the financial risk becomes so great that we do not recommend same day connections when traveling on two tickets.
Instead, consider staying at least overnight in Los Angeles if the price differential makes this worthwhile.
Even if you’re using one ticket for your entire trip, play it safe. As mentioned in a previous post, although some airlines permit a 90-minute connection to a flight going to Australia or New Zealand, this is quite risky. Miss your connection in Los Angeles or San Francisco, and you’ll find that the next flights leave late next evening, nearly a 24-hour wait and usually at your own expense.
Pad your connections on a major trip like this. Choose a connection that’s three hours or even more.
And, if you want to spend some time in California (LAX sits near Santa Monica Beach, San Francisco International has a convenient rail connection to downtown), many airlines allow you to stopover on an international trip up to just less than 24 hours, without having to pay extra. You may appreciate not flying on such a long trip all at once.
Next post: Including both Australia and New Zealand on your trip at a low price. The cheapest fares to Australia do not normally allow stopovers in New Zealand, but that won’t stop us!
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By Don Nadeau, on April 29, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
With fewer flights, USA to New Zealand airfares have normally been higher than those to Australia.
That’s still true, but look for some real bargains now.
Air New Zealand—with on-demand entertainment at your seat and more room between you and the seat in front of you—and Qantas—also with at seat entertainment and often-lower fares than Air NZ—fly Los Angeles to Auckland nonstop. V Australia (a Virgin airline) connects with its partner Pacific Blue in Sydney to reach New Zealand.
Air New Zealand also does San Francisco to Auckland nonstop. United code shares with Air New Zealand and may have different fares on the same plane.
If your itinerary takes you to both islands or just to the South Island, check out “open jaw” fares, e.g., into Auckland and out of Christchurch, or a roundtrip fare to Christchurch.
A fine way to do the South Island is to fly into Wellington, take a 3-hour Interislander ferry across to Picton, and then to fly out of Christchurch when done exploring. You can also fly into and out of Queenstown, but its airport tends to be closed somewhat more than the others due to poor visibility.
If an open jaw fare works out as too expensive for you, you can take budget Pacific Blue in New Zealand if you simply must travel by air in this beautiful country. Please do not set up same day connections between Pacific Blue to or from your international flights.
Next post: Setting up your budget Australia or New Zealand itinerary for the cheapest fare.
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By Don Nadeau, on April 26, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
This is all going to seem so very commonsense and simple–and perhaps more than a bit boring–but so many people allow too little connecting time between flights and do not handle short connections well when they have no choice.
When you arrive at Chicago/O’Hare late at 9:30 a.m. and miss your connecting flight to New York/LaGuardia, you usually face few worries. With so many later departures to NYC-area airports, you’re nearly certain to get on something, and may not even have to wait very long.
Arrive late at that same airport at 9:30 p.m., and you probably have a problem. In most cases, expect to stay overnight at your own expense. There are also extra connection risks when traveling to less busy airports, which have fewer flights and a last one that perhaps leaves quite early in the day.
Missed connections to most international destinations can wipe out an entire day of your trip or more, as all nonstop flights tend to depart solely within a few hours of each other. In the case of Europe from the east coast, this means in the very late afternoon or evening. In the case of Australia or New Zealand from the west coast, this means solely in the late evening.
In these cases, you may have to wait a night plus nearly a full day for your next ongoing flight if you miss the one you booked. Again, these days, don’t expect the airline to pay for this involuntary stopover.
Of course, I am asking you to allow ample connecting time when a missed connecting flight has such consequences. The so-called minimum connecting times allowed by airlines are based on ideal conditions and less stressful times.
However, what if you have no choice? What if the cheapest fare does not seem to allow ample time?
If the cheapest fare involves separate tickets on two different airlines, simply do not buy this itinerary. Airline #1 won’t be responsible if you miss airline #2. You may be forced to pay airline #2 for a new ticket—at a last-minute price—and lose at least some of the value of your original ticket, if not all, on airline #2.
If your cheapest fare requires one ticket, even though it may include different airlines, buy it, but consider standing by for an earlier flight from your point of origin.
For example, if you’re booked on American from Chicago to Los Angeles with a 90-minute connection to Qantas because that had the cheapest fare, seriously consider standing by for an American flight that would give you a three-hour or more connection.
Most airlines allow you to standby for earlier flights. See Standby Flight Tips.
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By Don Nadeau, on April 20, 2009, in Airfares, Travel
With travelers having a choice of four nonstop airlines from LAX to Australia by July, instead of two, look for 2009 to be an extraordinarily good time to travel to Australia. Delta and V Australia (part of the Virgin family) join Qantas and United.
Australia could be the budget travel destination of the year.
Already, fares are astonishingly low. If you are can grab one of these, you’d have to be almost crazy to waste frequent flyer miles for this trip.
Values continue once you land, with an excellent U.S. dollar exchange rate.
Traveling cheaply in this vast country? No worries. Budget airlines like Virgin Blue have surprisingly cheap rates. There’s Greyhound too, not to be confused with the American one.
Go for it!
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