Things to Look Out for When Booking Flights

Booking flights can be stressful. That's why Alternative Airlines has created this list of things to look out for when booking flights. Find your perfect flight when you follow these handy tips and tricks.

1. Stay flexible 🤸‍♀️

The more flexible you are on everything from departure and arrival airlines, and airports to travel dates and package deals, the more likely you are to get a great deal on your flight. Flying from alternative airports is often cheaper and offers better connection times than large airport hubs.

Consider adding a layover to your journey as it's often cheaper than a direct flight.

If you're flexible about airlines you'll likely find a cheaper fare. Discover some of the cheapest airlines in the world, what these airlines lack in amenities they make up for price.

At Alternative Airlines, we've developed our best fare finder tool to help you find the cheapest days to travel. Enter your preferred departure and arrival dates into our search bar and we'll use a traffic light system to show you the cheapest dates around the time you want to fly.🚦

2. Book travel protection 🔒

Whether you’re taking a short break, travelling for work, planning a two-week getaway or taking a year out to see the world, travel protection gives you the knowledge that you’re protected against different events and disruptions, however unlikely they may seem.

Make sure to purchase travel insurance, not available at Alternative Airlines, before booking your flight and ensure it covers you for the duration of your getaway. Alternative Airlines does, however, offer cancellation protection, allowing you to cancel flights and be refunded in the event of an emergency.

Please note that cancellation protection only covers flights; it isn't the same as travel insurance.

3. Check passports are valid 🪪

You might want to look twice at the expiration date on your passport. Even if your passport hasn’t yet expired, it still might not be valid for foreign travel. Before you travel, it’s a good rule of thumb to make sure your passport’s expiration date is six months beyond the date of your intended stay in your foreign destination(s).

Make sure to check the government website to find out the passport validity requirements before booking your flights. Passports can take up to 10 weeks to arrive in the post (though times vary by country), so make sure you've got your passport ready well in advance.

Some form of identification is always required, regardless of the length of your journey or the destinations that you're flying between. For international flights, you're required to bring a passport. For domestic flights, you usually don't need to bring your passport but will need some form of government-issued identification. Some airlines will allow you to bring two pieces of non-photo identification that match the name and date of birth on your reservation. Whereas others will request that you bring a photo ID with the name and date of birth matching your reservation.

For more information on which travel documents are required check out our guide!

4. Research the destination you're visiting 🖥️

Whether it be city-hopping or going abroad, before heading out for your next adventure, research the destination and know what to expect when you get there. Familiarise yourself with the activities available in the place you're interested in going. This will help you plan your itinerary accordingly.

Another reason why it is important to do your research about the place you're visiting is for you to know whether you need to get vaccinated or if you have other medical precautions to be aware of. In this case, you may want to check with your healthcare provider or a travel clinic.

It is important to know what currency other countries use in case it's different to your local currency.

5. Check over your booking information 👓

Before completing the booking process when buying flights make sure to check your passenger details such as the spelling of first and last names and ensure passengers have the correct date of birth. It's also important to include the age of the passenger when going on the trip. This will stop you from having to pay extra fees to amend your booking and in some cases stop you from not being able to use your ticket.

Some airlines allow you to amend the date of birth and spelling mistakes on your booking for a fee however, some airlines will not allow you to amend this information and the ticket will be non-refundable. Please contact our Customer Service team for support if you have an error on your booking.

Always make sure you check the fare rules of the ticket or find out through the airline's website. It's better to be safe than sorry, so check the passenger details, flight route, airports and flight times.

When the website asks for the passenger details make sure they match your current passport as this will be inspected at check-in and if the details don't match then you are at risk of not being allowed onto the flight. Double-check your passport number and remember to include your full name to avoid any confusion.

It's a good idea to check you have selected the correct flights otherwise you are at risk of having to pay extra fees to amend/cancel or in some cases the airline will not allow you to change/cancel.

6. Add extras early rather than late 🗓️

One way of saving money is through purchase add-ons at the time of booking. There may be extra fees the longer you leave it, especially if you wait until you're at the airport. Start your holiday off right by pre-booking your airport parking, airport lounge, airport fast-track and staying at an airport hotel before your flight.

At Alternative Airlines, you can enjoy affordable pricing on add-ons such as airport lounges, fast-track queues, seat selection, special meals and more!

7. Read the fare rules of your ticket 📃

The rules and restrictions of any booking rely upon the fare type that the reservation has been made under. These rules and their relevant conditions for a certain fare type are called Fare Rules.

It's crucial to always check the fare rules stated on the ticket before purchasing your flight. There are different fares such as regular, lite, flexible, family, return, group and fully restrictive.

Alternative Airlines encourage people to read and understand the fare rules before purchasing because some tickets are fully restrictive and won't allow you to change/cancel your ticket and others are flexible where you can cancel and be fully or partially refunded.

To find the airline fare rules at Alternative Airlines, fill in the flight search with the airports you'd like to fly to and the preferable dates. Then select the number of passengers and the cabin class. All flights available will be displayed after you search. Click on the 'information' icon for each flight, which is coloured in light blue on the right of the screen. Once in the 'Flight details' subpage, click on 'Fare Rules' where you'll be able to see the mini fare rules. To find the extended version of your airline fare rule you need to select the flight and click the 'Confirm the Selection'.

8. Research visa requirements 🌏

Visas can open up a whole host of opportunities, from exploring the world to working in some of the most beautiful places around the globe. But why exactly do you need a visa to travel? Before actually booking your flight it’s essential to check if you need a visa to travel to that country.

Some countries require visas for any traveller, while others for passports from certain countries. Even if you're travelling to a country you've visited before and you didn't need a visa, it's good to check, because visa rules are often changing.

Without the correct visa you won't be able to enter your planned destination. Check the government website for more information on the country you want to visit. There are different types of visas to look out for such as tourist visas, student visas, work visas, business visas, family visas or refugee visas.

Even if you have booked travel insurance but refused your flight due to not having the correct visa, the ticket will remain non-refundable due to it being a passenger requirement to check if you have the correct travel documents.

To find out all the information you need to know on visas worldwide, including which countries are visa-free and what you should do if your VISA is refused after you've purchased your flight visit our visa information page.

9. Consider alternative payment methods 💳

Alternative Airlines offers a range of payment options suitable for a wide range of budgets and travel needs.

We offer:

• Buy now, pay later - With interest-free and long-term plans available
• Layaway - Put a deposit on your flights and finish payment before travel
• Cryptocurrency - Including big names like Bitcoin, Dashcoin and Ethereum
• Traditional transactions - Debit and credit card payments, as well as e-wallets

10. Avoid booking during peak time 🍂

To score the best deals on flights, avoid peak travel times like school holidays, summer, and Christmas. For example, flying to Europe during the summer months of June, July, and August in Europe is almost always more expensive than a trip during the fall or winter (except around Christmas, another peak travel period). Similarly, the Caribbean heats up with visitors during the cold weather months, followed by spring break crowds, from December through April.

The bottom line: aim for the offseason whenever you can for more affordable flights and an unforgettable experience.

Conclusion 💫

So there you have it! By keeping these things in mind when booking your flight, you can navigate the process with confidence and snag the best deal possible. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way. So next time you're ready to explore the world, put these tips into practice and take off with confidence!

Start your flight search here with Alternative Airlines!✈️