Round-the-World and Circle-Pacific Tickets

These are a series of tickets on one or several airlines pieced together by a travel agent, offering multiple stops. Usually only the first leg must be booked in advance. Travel must be completed within one year from departure. Any route can be configured, but bucket shops advertise the especially good deals, which often include carriers such as Garuda Indonesia and Air India that allow free or cheap stopovers.

Following are low-season examples. Expect to pay $200 more for travel beginning June 1 to August 31, and various airport and departure taxes of $7 to $20 per stop. Check the Sunday travel sections of the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, London Times, etc. for similar deals.

• L.A.--Honolulu--Bangkok--Singapore--Tokyo--L.A. for $1000.
• L.A.--Hong Kong--Bangkok--Bombay--Delhi--London--New York for $1200.
• New York--Hong Kong--Bangkok--Jakarta--Bali--Sydney--Auckland-- Tahiti--L.A.--New York for $1800.
• New York--London--Moscow--Nairobi--Bombay--Delhi--Katmandu-- Seoul--New York for $1900.
  
  
  

Charter Flights

Charter companies lease an airplane for a certain date and route, say New York to Paris, and then try to sell the seats. Usually they charge a low price (which may go lower as flight time approaches and seats remain unsold), and do not require advance purchase. However, if they don't sell enough seats to make money, the flight may be canceled at the last minute. Other airlines have no obligation to honor your ticket, and it may take a few days to get your money back.

Reputable charter companies hold your money in escrow until the flight. Some charter companies are well-established and fly regularly. These include Council Travel, Martin Air, Lauda, and Tower.

Bumping

Because airlines know a certain percentage of passengers aren't going to make their flight, they slightly overbook to maximize revenue and efficiency. Since sometimes there are more passengers at the gate than seats in the airplane, the airlines must deny boarding to some. Civilized airlines first ask for volunteers who, from the goodness of their hearts, are willing to give up their current seat for one on the next available flight. Since no one responds, they then offer a voucher for a free flight in addition to a seat on the next flight. They may also offer up to $500 cash.

Bumping is more likely during high season, busy holidays, and on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays. If you want to be bumped, arrive early to place your name at the top of the volunteer list, and don't check your bag. While I haven't been lucky yet, I usually ask at check-in if the flight is going to be full, and if so I wait near the desk just before flight time. I fully expect a stampede, at least of one.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04