Cheap Flights Aren’t Always Best
By NomadicMatt | Published: August 12, 2009
There are many ways to find cheap flights and most people usually try to find the cheapest one when they go on holiday. There are some great search engines out there like Momondo, Skyscanner, and Mobissimo to help you, but should you always go for the cheapest flight?
Last year, I decided to join the Oneworld network, which meant I had to join American’s frequent flier program. Let me tell you- I hate American Airlines. Their planes are old, they never have personal viewing screens, and microwaved food is a better option than what they serve in coach. But I fly them because my reward points transfer over to the airlines I love to fly- Japan Airlines, Cathay, and Qantas.
But flying these big carriers rarely gets me a cheap fare. My flight back to America could have been two hundred dollars cheaper if I flew Aer Lingus. My flights around the states could have been done for half if I had flown Southwest, Air Tran, or Jetblue. Though, my return flight to Europe is on Air France because I simply couldn’t justify the huge ransom American was asking.
So why do I, a budget traveler with numerous articles on flying cheap, spend the money? Because when you are a frequent flier, cheap flights are not a cheap long term option. If you only take a couple of flights a year, going for the lowest cost is your best bet. The length of time it would take for you to accrue miles towards a free flight could not justify the higher flight costs. However, if take a large number of flights each year or even just a few long haul flights, then joining for a frequent flier program makes much more sense.
Elite status on frequent flier programs gets you a number of perks:
- Quicker check-in
- Quicker boarding
- Airline lounge access
- Complimentary Upgrades
For someone who is in an airport every month, those things are real luxuries I want to have. Long lines for both check-in and security are very frustrating. You know the drill but most people don’t. This is especially true in security lines when you have your shoes off and laptop out while the person ahead of you is still fumbling for the bin. Additionally, frequent flier points give you lounge access. Airline lounges have good, free food and free internet, which can make long layovers and waits more bearable. Most importantly though, elite status gives you free upgrades and the ability to get business class and first class tickets at a coach price. Not having to be in coach on the 14 hour flight to Tokyo? Priceless.
For long term travelers, it makes a lot of sense to join these programs. You fly a lot and you should be rewarded as such. Even if you are on a one year trip around the world, you should join a frequent flier program. During your trip around the world, you’ll take at least six flights, most of which will be long haul. By the time you reach the end of your trip, you’ll have accumulated enough points for a free flight, which can be used to extend your trip, or should you have trouble dealing with being home, a quick trip somewhere. Though you will be paying extra, the perks of the problem will pay for itself in no time as you’ll be flying more comfortably.
Moreover, there are plenty of good ways to gain points before you leave. If you get a rewards credit card, you can get points for every dollar you spend. My AA account has over 40,000 points because of flight points, a huge sign up bonuses (25,000), and spending. I already close enough for a free international flight and I’ve done nothing special.
For infrequent fliers, it makes little sense to pay a premium for flights. You should always go cheap. But for frequent fliers, long term travelers, or round the world travelers, signing up for a rewards program will benefit you greatly over the long term as you’ll accumulate miles and elite status quickly. This will get you free flights to keep you traveling much longer. When you travel often, it’s important to travel smarter and, sometimes, cheap isn’t the smartest option.
Matt,
You’re spot on about the cheapest not always being the best….and the One World alliance certainly has its perks.
A benefit of elite status on AA that I didn’t see mentioned is that the fee for the first checked bag is waived.
On rewards programs for credit cards and such I would mention the AmEx Starwood Preferred guest program as being superior – I know, it’s not directly related to airline miles, but the reward points are transferable to your FF account. And don’t forget, you don’t have to be a business to apply for a business card (sort of a way to ‘double-dip’ the rewards)
You’re certainly not alone in despising American Airlines, but I just don’t understand it. I mean, I agree, they suck – but no more than any other major U.S. carrier at least in my experience.
What airport/airline lounges have you gotten free WiFi?
All the major lounges have wi-fi. The American ones do I know for sure.
and excellent point about the baggage fees.
Excellent article Matt! Because of the huge amount of competition with Low Cost Carriers in Europe, a lot of Europeans simply don’t know that these programs exist (the likes of Ryanair etc. are not part of the major programs). I was among these people until last year when an American couchsurfer told me that I was crazy for not being a part of a program considering how much I travel.
A lot of us would travel further afield but still not actually have a FF number. I’ve mentioned this several times and people really are in the dark on this side of the pond!!
I’ve been going with Air France and their partners since then and hopefully when I get to the next level I’ll see some benefits, although I still don’t actually travel that much; maybe just 4-8 times a year (since I travel to live in places for several months at a time). When the ticket price difference isn’t that much I’ll go with an option that will earn me miles. Sadly it’s too complicated for me to earn in other ways like use of credit cards etc.
Try to share this info with Europeans; they’ll thank you for it!!
Air France are taking me from Prague (actually Czech airlines to Paris first, but it’s the one ticket) to Rio soon. Can’t wait!! And I get my seat screen too
Air France has seat screens? That’s awesome to know!
You make great points. Sticking with Delta has certainly made our flying experiences much more pleasant. We leaned towards them during our travels before moving abroad and now the perks are worth so much more than saving a few dollars here and there. Nothing can compare to skipping the long line in the Sao Paulo airport when we go back and forth to Brazil, that alone is priceless. Not to mention our trips to the Caribbean the past few years have been on FF miles. Now with baggage costs it is even nice to save $15 when we can!
Hi Matt, I agree with these points. Especially regarding RTW travel, it makes no sense to book a string of ‘cheap’ flights, as the price often comes to more than if you were to just buy a RTW ticket, sans the flexibility and trimmings that come with a full-fare ticket, of course.
I blogged on the potential of flying RTW via discount airlines exclusively and the prognosis for purchasing complex fares on such airlines was fairly grim: http://flighthacker.com/2009/07/13/rtw-fare-off-full-fare-vs-discount-airlines/
Quite happy that I have a cushy pool of Qantas FF points after my last RTW jaunt, anyway
Well, I actually don’t think RTW tickets are cheaper than “a string of cheap flights.” I traveled around the for only a few grand because I strung together cheap flights. But if you are looking for freebies and luxury, then a RTW ticket is the better option, especially if you continue to travel afterwards.
However, with credit card miles and cheap airlines, you can travel cheaper than a RTW ticket.
Mm I don’t agree necessarily with that. But, we are both in Aussie so for our market it’s perhaps a little different. We don’t have a regulated system of one way fares [yet] so there isn’t a lot of choice for long haul point to point to point to point fares.
The SWISS fare in my book, see http://www.roundabouttravel.com.au/info/airfare_deals/deals/swiss_airlines_rtw, is consistently the best if you couple it with some LCC flights in between. That ticket for AUD2600-2800 will get you into and out of 3 continents as long as you go in one direction and the middle continent is Europe.
i.e. Aus – North America – Europe – Asia is the most common but South America and Africa as also available….considering that and the route options to make your own way if you want, such as into Jo’berg out of Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam, it’s damn good value and I don’t think point to point fares can come close to it. Buttttt, that’s because we are a long way for anywhere and have our own market conditions.
Ditto on Mark, LCCs work great for hopping around Europe and Asia, but actually getting in and out of Australia narrows our options and hikes the price.
Sadly, we don’t have awesome AirAsia sales regularly…
Agree with that one Matt. We specialise in round the world airfares that sometimes are either done by alliances or other times done by combination airfares. The alliance airfares can be a bit more but I think are worth it with internal flights included and mileage accrual all on the one ticket. We travel a fair bit for work in Australia and belong to both an Air NZ membership and Qantas frequent flyers. Qantas is also good as we can accrue points on credit cards and transfer them over. For around $300 per year we get a Qantas Club lounge pass [if we flew a bit more we'd get it for free but have to be gold] which is such a huge benefit. Every time we’re at an airport it’d cost us $10-15 each for food and drink and for the 1 pass myself and 1 guest [my partner] can go in. So for every return trip we do we’re getting at least $20-30 worth of stuff…although I tend to sink a few beers and that value goes north. But I guess it’s more the intangibles…for that pass we can also line up in the business class queue and get extra luggage allowance. So true though, if you’re going more than once a year international and a few short haul trips it’s best to view your travel spend as a value rather than cost focus.
I agree that once you travel a lot, it’s more about value than cost. I fly a lot so I want to have comfort and that’s whats important- comfort. It’s about the intangibles.
I go out of my way to fly with airlines that will add to my FF miles, even if it’s a bit more expensive too.
I belong to every frequent flyer program known to man. Eventually, I figure I’ll accrue enough points on each to get me something. United/Star Alliance is my main program, and here are some of the benefits I get out of that:
If you book a coach ticket in Y, M, B, or H class, you can use your United Miles to upgrade to business class. YMBH are usually a little bit more expensive, but if you’re on a long-haul flight, paying $200 to $400 more might be worth it to you. Remember business class comes with other perks: two carry-ons, use of the Red Carpet Club, priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding.
If you have status on most programs (i.e., not the basic level but some sort of Gold or Silver status), you can usually use the lounges even if you’re flying coach. Also, you get priority check-in, priority security, and priority boarding.
In 2004, I used my Star Alliance miles to fly from London to Seoul round-trip in business class on Lufthansa. FOR FREE.
Last month, I used the RCC in Chicago on my way to London. I was flying an upgraded coach ticket, so I was International Business. I got two free drink tickets for the lounge and free wireless. This was awesome because my flight ended up delayed for 90 minutes so I could just hang out and surf the web.
When I had Premier Executive Status on United–roughly from 2004 to 2006–I was upgraded all the time. That was awesome. You also earn more miles if you have status. i forget if it.s 1.25 or 1.5 miles per mile flown, but it’s something like that.
One thing you don’t mention, Matt that might be worth exploring. Sign up for credit cards that get you miles. I have a United Visa and a British Airways AMEX. I’ve accumulated something like 80,000 miles on my BA Amex over the years that is just waiting to be spent!
I’ve often wondered this. I flew to Thailand with Thai Air from London (one of the Star Alliance) and then made 3 more trips to Japan and back with them. I am probably going to fly with them again next year to the same area. I always assume frequent fliers are, you know, for frequent. Don’t know how useful or cost effective it’d be for 3/4 trips/year
Great post.
I agree that if you don’t travel as often it might not worth it. But don’t forget that frequent flier miles program mostly accrue by miles. So even if you don’t travel very often but on a long trip then it will definitely add up. For me, a couple trips to Thailand will already give me free domestic ticket in the US. But lately, I have seen the increase in their redeem program. It seems to take more points than in the past to get free tickets. Economy?
All the airlines are making it harder!! I agree. It’s a growing trend that hurts people on the edge of reward programs. Those who fly “just enough” to get in.
I’ve had a few cheap flights that cost a lot of time and suffering. Yet, I’ve always had a good trip with Continental (I live near their hub). Granted, part of that is luck, but it still makes me feel good about flying with them. However, I would still choose a cheaper flight if I was going to save a significant amount of money.
Hey Matt,
Another great article. I am with you on the hatred of American Airlines, but I am also using their AAdvantage with tons of points on my card. I am using some of those miles next week for a Denver to NYC flight and will be lucky enough to qualify for first class.
But I agree with you 110%, if you are a once or twice a year flier, then simply use a kayak or other travel search engine for the lowest deal. Plus of course always check the airline’s website (sometimes prices are cheaper).
Enjoy Europe and I look forward to your posts from overseas…next time you are in the NY area we have to meet up for a drink or twelve.
Cheers
Andrew
I couldn’t agree with you more!!! I always fly American Airlines international if I can, because the rewards are so high.
I hate AA but their rewards program is really good.
I abslutely 100% agree that cheap and budget flights are often not the best. In fact when you really nail down the costs such as ground transport from the far out of the way airports then it can be more expensive.
More than anythign though, the service can often be poor.
It depends what you are going after but many times, especially when it comes to RyanAir, you are just better going with a major carrier.
Frequent flyer may be the way to go for long haul and flights from the states but I suspect that when you get to Europe you’ll be making best friends with Easyjet, Ryanair and Flybe.
Thanks for the great post.
I have to agree sometimes it’s a lot cheaper to travel with Jetstar to some of their international destinations, but I wouldn’t touch them which a barge pole. Particularly when I can use Singapore Airlines – who not only are part of the Star Alliance rewards system they are a much better airline in general.
MATT here’s my awful experience with westjet….cheap BUT a nightmare. NEVER EVER FLY westjet. 2 days of hell for me is described below:
DAY 1 Experience
With my complete regret, I am disappointed to report that Westjet has been the worst experience on my first trip ever. Never in my travel history, I have felt so helpless and abused. I do have to say that I had heard great things about the airline and it’s service so either I am the most unluckiest person to face this dilemma with your airline or it might be that your passenger’s expect this kinda of experience once they have chosen to fly with you.
Due to a urgent matter, all I wanted was to change my return flight to an earlier day and was willing to pay the price or any fees. I tried reaching the 1888 Westjet number for constantly 9 hours starting at 11AM while I was visiting family. It’s now around 8:30pm. Not only it defeated the purpose of spending any time with my family but the experience to try get to an agent was simply a torcher. All I got was that “our system is going through change we will not be able to take any calls”.
Here I am furiously writing, I do not expect any response. Left with no solution but to buy a new one ticket to get back to Edmonton tomorrow in time is what I have chosen to do at this 11th hour. This is no threat but you leave me with no other option but to share my experience with friends and family and of course keep Westjet as a last resort to fly. I am an executive running an organization myself and all I will say is that I challenge the executives to call in the 888WESTJET number and make an attempt to get through an agent to help you. May that will be a good immersion to really understand the VOC (voice of the customer) to no further get such disappointing message and starting a new year.
DAY 2 Experience
AFTER Day 1′s torcher bieng stranded on airport for 4 hours, I choose to spend time sharing my experience so no other passenger goes through this pain ever. Having limited time, I came to spend just 2-3 days with my family and I have barely a day peacefully with them. I spend hours on the phone while they waited around home all day for me to get a confirmation. I didn’t sleep all night in hopes of trying to get through Westjet and confirm the change. After constantly trying for 16 hours, I gave up around 8am today and decided to drive straight to the airport to personally deal with a west jet staff. i paid almost $100 cab drive and got there around 8:45am First the ticket issue counter rep said that they couldn’t change the airports (Abbottsford to Vancouver) as their system is not allowing to make the airport change and issue me a ticket- it was not almost 9:05am now. I asked to speak to a manager and with one click she showed the rep how to issue a change, it was a training issue. They charged me another 86 CAD dollars. I guess it was better than spending another $150.
Airline staff OK’d my 1 carry on and a laptop bag. It was now 9:20am. By now money and any service expectations wasn’t even a factor as I was just looking to finish this journey and make my connection to SF from Edmonton to get home. Finally, I headed to the security and who knew it wasn’t over for me.
I felt pleasant after being greeted with a smile by a security gentleman until a security women by the name of “Satinder” in her loud pitched voice asked me to go back to the airline counter to check in my carry on. I defended explaining that I got the same bag on my inbound flight without any problem and the westjet crew cleared my bags to be carried on the flight while issuing the boarding pass.
It was now 9:35ish when another security women took a look at my bag and she said well if the airline has ok’d and we have cleared the security check on the bag we should let the bag go and then if need be then westjet staff will check in at the plane gate. They went on contradicting each other, it sounded like they were in some sort of conflict among themselves. I pleaded to let me go as I can’t miss this flight.
I got to the gate A3 at 9:48 and the GATE was closed. I do have to apologies at my conduct as I was loud and lost my temper at the attendant. My hopes of getting home doomed and disappointment of having to choose Westjet to fly just made me feel so angry and helpless.
Not sure what the resolution to this pain and trauma is. At the least, I am expecting Westjet to refund full amount of my ticket.
I sit here wondering if this feedback would be taken constructively and there would be any follow up action to fix the process to assist passengers in similar situation as mine or it will merely be a DELETE command used to only make WESTJET closer to failure.
I expect to hear from a some executive team member at Westjet but I doubt that kind of leadership and accountability exists.
I surely will be reaching the blogs, feedback’s, friends, family and strangers to narrate this horrible experience until I have a resolution and hear from someone at Westjet.
The airlines that give frequent flyer miles are the ones that usually book you on other airlines without extra charge, when needed, if their flights are cancelled or overbooked. That is a huge advantage.
Not so with the Allegiant Airs, Ryanairs, Southwests, and Westjets of the world.
However, follow Anil. Use traditional airlines like American and Delta only when they are “a bit more expensive,” not when there is a significant difference.
Bravo!
Your blog was very informative and spot on.
I love that you compare frequent fliers to causal fliers.
Everyone is watching their dollars and cents, but I firmly believe in “knowing where you’re spending your money.” Don’t blindly splash your cash! Once you’ve determined your budget, you can get a better idea of where you have financial wiggle room. Flights aren’t simply transportation, they are part of your travel experience. No sense in being a basket-case at the end of a long-haul journey if it means scrimping and saving. There’s an old saying that goes something like, “If you’ve truly enjoyed yourself, the great memories will outlast the price.”
~Meghan
Your article is written (so very typically!) from the point of view of an American – which is reflected in your attitude. IMHO frequent flyers should be penalised not rewarded…for screwing up the environment.
Another Great blog post, I will bookmark this in my Newsvine account. Have a great day.