Major U.S. airlines are in a budget crisis,trying to make every penny per-seat-mile count.  Many carriers have reduced their flight frequencies, thus making the lowest-cost seats even less available.  Some of the smaller, leaner airlines continue to make money - adding selected flights and routes. How can you make the most of your travel dollar in this changing environment. . .?

1. Reserve early.
2. Book over-the-weekend itineraries for domestic travel.
3. Meet the minimum-/maximum stay requirements for international travel.
4. Fly off-peak.
5. Know the non-refundable fare rules.
6. Buy during fare wars.
7. Use a travel agency with
   • Negotiated airfares
   • Experienced agents

For details on these guidelines, please continue reading . . .

1. Reserve early.  Depending on the airline, to qualify for the lowest domestic fare you must purchase your ticket 21, 14, seven, three days, or one day prior to departure.
   
   Many domestic budget carriers sell space on a first- come, first-served basis.  Although some may have no advance-purchase rules, the earlier purchasers get the cheapest seats. For low-cost domestic travel, you must purchase the seat immediately upon reservation, or the fare may be lost.
   
   International travel varies according to world region.  For some areas you must buy at least 90 days ahead to qualify for the lowest fare.  Other regions permit a seven-day advance.  Some require ticketing within two weeks of booking travel. Increasingly, many special fares are "instant purchase." To guarantee the price, you must pay immediately upon reservation.
   
   Major carriers have reduced their flight schedules in the wake of recent world events.  With fewer aircraft departing each day, reserving ahead becomes even more essential, as the lowest-cost seats will be more limited.
   
   
2. Book over-the-weekend itineraries - for domestic.  For domestic travel, you must usually stay over a Saturday night.  There are itineraries, however, which require a Friday or Sunday-night stay.  In contrast, many budget carriers sell space on a one-way basis.  There is no minimum or maximum stay.
   
   
3. Meet the minimum-/maximum-stay requirements - for international.
   
   To qualify for the lowest international fare, usually you must stay between six and 13 days at your destination-but even this varies by country.
   
   Some international advance-purchase tickets are valid for as little as 21 days.  If you must stay longer at your international destination, buying a three-month or six-month ticket may save you money over the more expensive one-year fare.
   
   (Note: MTS TRAVEL offers flexible tickets on selected airlines for church-related and humanitarian workers. For these specially negotiated MTS TRAVEL fares, some airlines waive the most stringent minimum- stay rules and thus provide significant savings.)
   
   
4. Fly Off Peak:  Airlines divide their flights into popular (peak) and not-so-popular (off-peak) times.  Sometimes popularity is determined by certain times of the day, days of the week or months of the year.  For instance, varying your departure time by about two hours can sometimes save money.  Choosing another day can at times boost your savings even more. For international travel, regions of the world are divided into different "seasons." If your preferred travel date is within one or two days of a change of seasons, you may want to alter your plans to save money.
   
   As you deal with the person handling your airline reservation, it's important to let him/her know if your plans are flexible enough to accommodate the lowest fare available.  Tell the agent you can fly another day or leave at a later time, if that will save money.
   
   
5. Know the Non-Refundable Fare Rules.
   
   If you find you cannot use your non-refundable ticket, you must cancel your reservations prior to travel in order to retain its value for another trip.  Some airlines permit cancellation up to departure time; others say you must cancel at least one day ahead.
   
   If you cancel prior to your travel, you can usually exchange the ticket for another itinerary by paying an airline change fee of  $100 or more, plus any fare difference for the rebooked itinerary.  The airline does not allow you to assign the ticket to another passenger.
   
   

6. Buy During Fare Wars.
   
   Watch the newspapers for fare-war ads. If you can plan ahead, buy tickets for multiple trips while the fares are low.
   
   
7. Use a Travel Agency with
   • Negotiated airfares
   • Experienced agents

Rather than calling several airlines yourself, use an experienced travel agent to check all possibilities.  Some agencies not only research the choices in the airlines' computer reservations system, but also know the budget airlines which require a phone call.

Get reduced rates with flexible fares.  You'll save hundreds - sometimes thousands - of dollars per itinerary by using experienced travel agents who each month book scores of ministry-related travelers.  Knowledgeable MTS TRAVEL agents also access specially negotiated fares and international consolidators.  Our agents know the destinations to which you travel, and they can find a convenient, cost-effective way to get you there.

As many airlines struggle to make money, there are reasonable prices to be obtained for domestic and international travel. To save the maximum on your travel budget:

• Plan ahead
• Be flexible
• Keep informed
• Know where to access the lowest negotiated fares
• Use experienced travel agents