Take some time to shop a around before you buy your ticket. The major
airlines are constantly involved in price wars with each other, which is a
good thing from the passenger's point of view and huge savings can be made.
The Internet is a good place to start your ticket search as well as being a
handy travel tool. For the best deals on air fares, it is always best to try
and buy your ticket a few months in advance. Alternatively, if you are
prepared to travel at a minutes notice, there are some great last minute
deals on offer at travel agents and on the internet. There are travel
agencies called consolidators that specialize in last-minute deals, these
are basically the same as the "bucket shops" in the UK.
Travelling in the high season can drastically increase your ticket price -
the high season in New York runs from mid June to mid September and one week
before and after Christmas. Prices drop slightly in February, March and
October through to Thanksgiving Day, which is the fourth Thursday in
November. If you plan to travel around Thanksgiving time, remember that
although this is a holiday in the US, Americans will be traveling and the
airports and flights are likely to be very busy.
Be aware that once the duration of your holiday passes the 90 day visa
limit, the ticket prices increase considerably.
A good alternative for travelers with little baggage and on a budget is to
use the courier flights. New York is one of the best places in the USA to
arrange courier flights around the globe.
RTW tickets (round the world ) that include travel within the USA can be a
bargain. These are usually purchased 14 days in advance and offer maximum
flexibility. Round The World tickets allow you to circumnavigate the globe
by flying on the combined routes of two or more airlines. Tickets are valid
for 12 months and you are required to travel in one direction without
backtracking, which means you can't fly in and out of the same airport
twice. Dates of the tickets can be changed without incurring any penalties
and you can also add or delete stops from anywhere between $25 and $75.
Professionals are the best for tracking down special deals for more
complicated itineraries. Students can obtain some good discounts using these
companies. STA Travel and Council Travel have multiple offices in Manhattan
and are among the best people to speak to with your travel requirements.
Some US carriers offer special deals for non US citizens who book abroad.
Travel agents will be able to explain these deals to you, they are passes in
the form of coupons, which are used for each leg of your journey. American
Airlines, Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines all offer different
deals.
