Barbara's Travel Tips Sometimes I get the feeling that there's a whole lot of people out there who believe that they are entitled or guaranteed the right to cheap airline tickets.  But anyone who's actually bought airline tickets in the past six months knows this in not a “God Given Right."  The No. 1 reason: the exploding cost of fuel. The airlines are doing something about this. They are reducing seats and raising their prices. Steadily and will continue to do so. The consumer has two choices: complain — which is what folks did last year and are continuing to do— or adapt.  The answer is "intelligent adapting"; you accomplish this by making smarter airfare purchasing decisions.   It's important to remember that an airline is in business to sell you a seat on a flight for as much money as possible. Airlines can and do change hundreds of thousands of airfare prices every day and at different times of the day.  They study your buying behavior and use this knowledge to charge you more. With all this in mind, you are now ready to start shopping — that's shopping, not buying — do some research and some comparisons first. Here are some handy tips to get you started: Be Flexible. Be willing to travel outside the typical weekend-to-weekend "box." Fly less-popular times of the day (6 a.m., noon, and late evening). Switch from your home airport, if you can get a better deal at a neighboring airport — even if it means driving an hour or two. Don't Procrastinate. Airlines manage the cheapest seats in a four-month window before departure; any earlier, and you will be charged a mid-tier price. Waiting until the last minute used to mean you could find some great deals, but not anymore. Today, planes are packed, so airlines have no incentive to lure last-minute shoppers. Fly on the Cheapest Days. Keep in mind that every market is different, so the rules may be different, but typically Wednesdays are usually the least-expensive days of the week to fly.  Tuesdays and Saturdays are the next least expensive days to fly. Fly Larger Hub Cities (Usually).  Not always does that mean driving to Denver, SLC, Colorado Springs, or Albequerque.  It may pay to drive to the nearest big airport, but always check the charter flights from Montrose and now Grand Junction.  Look for options that allows you to compare prices with "nearby airports." When you see a good deal, be prepared to pull the trigger. More times than not, I hear, “I have to check with my husband/wife.”  Airlines are reducing capacity and planes are filling up faster than ever; everyone should know what a good price is, so that when you are checking the prices you are ready and prepared to purchase. Check the price history of your route, and buy quickly when you see a good deal.  Learn When to Buy Tickets to Europe. International travel has well-defined "seasons" that determine price points. If you know when these seasons begin and end, you can save hundreds of dollars by flying one day (say, at the end of a cheap season), as opposed to the person who travels the next day (at the start of a new, more-expensive season). European "Open Skies" launched on March 30, with numerous sales. Look for similar buzz-generating sales at any time new airlines or routes are introduced. Use an Experienced Travel Consultant.  You wouldn’t attempt to do your own taxes if you didn’t know the current tax laws; so why do your own travel when you can use someone that has the knowledge and expertise to help guide the purchase.  Travel agencies have access to schedules, itineraries, companies, and pricing that internet sites do not and they will save you time.  Those who travel wisely save more money, make more friends and create a more memorable — a truly richer — experience. We look forward to helping you plan your next vacation for business or pleasure.  Call us today!   Barbara Thrush, CTC/CAS/MCC Owner Big Country Travel, LLC 1544 Oxbow Drive, Suite 212 Montrose, CO  81401 970-249-3960 / 970-249-6779-fax Check out our new location in the Tower Building behind Applebee's