Airfare Fine Print
The devil is in the detail, as they say, and it's the small print that can take the shine off that great bargain airfare advertised in the paper or online. There are always conditions, so check the fine print at the bottom of ads for the catch before you book to make sure that you can comply with the requirements for that fare specified by the airline. If there is anything you don’t understand or need clarified, call the airline.
Read on for a guide to the most common airline rules:
Purchase dates
Most airfare special deals require that tickets be purchased within a specific time frame (usually seven, 14, 21 or more days) in advance of travel. If you cannot meet the deadlines, you'll miss the offer.
Travel dates
In some special deals, the lowest fares are restricted to mid-week travel rather than weekends or to specific dates. It doesn't matter how cheap the fare is if you are unable to travel on those dates.
Minimum/maximum-stays
Some fares require you to stay a minimum number of days in the destination, while others require that you stay a Saturday night. If you are planning an extended trip, check the maximum time that you can stay. Most tickets are valid for travel within 12 months but many special offers are valid for a limited period so check to see if there are any specific requirements.
Refunds and ticket changes
The majority of cheap (and even some not-so-cheap) fares are non-refundable and don't allow many, if any changes. You may not be able to get a full refund, however you can sometimes exchange these tickets for a fee, plus the difference in the new fare. Policies relating to changing dates or routes vary greatly. Re-routing and date changes are often prohibited, but some tickets allow you to make changes for a fee, ranging from $25 to $200. Make sure you check the details and avoid super-restrictive specials if there is a chance your plans will change. The fare difference - if you can change it - could cancel out any discount and even end up costing you more.
One-way and return prices
Airlines often advertise the one-way price for an air fare, but in some cases, that price is only available if you purchase a return ticket. Also, getting back on a cheap fare is often not as easy or cheap. So if you only need to fly one-way, check if you can save anything on a return fare deal.
Blackout dates
Most special deals are subject to blackout dates (when travel is not permitted) during peak demand periods such as Christmas.
Frequent-flyer award travel restrictions
So you want to use your points to spend Christmas in Paris or New York? No chance. Frequent Flyer awards bookings come with blackout dates and seats on popular routes in peak times - if you can get one - need to be booked months in advance. With some awards programs, the airlines will give you a seat on virtually any flight for double the standard awards points. If you can spare the extra points. It's one way to ensure that you get where you want to go, when you want to travel. Some awards programs also give you the option of using points plus paying part of the fare.
Updated January 2012