Do You Want a Really Cheap Flight?
There is little doubt that the introduction of no-frills airlines has revolutionised the travel business both in the UK and elsewhere but their business model is not without its drawbacks. For a start scheduled tickets with no-frills carriers - as with any other scheduled airline - are not bonded. If the airline goes bust you stand to lose your money. Charter flights in the UK on the other hand are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.
If the flight is cheap enough you may consider the risk worth taking but remember, you will still be expected to pay for your other travel arrangements even if you can no longer use them. Before you purchase hotel accommodation and car hire from a website linked to a low-cost carrier find out if the website is owned by the airline. In most cases - even though the site may look similar - it is owned by a third party. Where this is the case don't expect the accommodation or car hire company to refund you if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
The airline will reimburse you for the cost of your lost flight but not for any other travel arrangements. Your travel insurance will not cover these expenses either as they are regarded as contingent liabilities - a universal exclusion in almost all insurance policies.
Most no-frills carriers quote prices for one-way flights excluding taxes. Just because the outward flight is cheap don't expect the return leg to be at the same price. No-frills pricing structures are usually pretty cute at ensuring you pay more for your return leg. In any case check out the cost of the taxes before you purchase.v
Find out which airport you will be flying into. Low-cost carriers often use secondary airports to keep their costs down. These airports could be 70 miles or more from your chosen destination and it is not unusual for the cost of the transfer to be many times the cost of the flight.
No frills airlines tend to increase their prices as departure date approaches. The earlier you book the better your chance of a bargain but also the greater the period for something to go wrong and the possibility of your flight being cancelled - leaving you to pay for accommodation you can no longer use.
Don't assume that no-frills carriers always provide the cheapest option. Charter flights can often provide a cheaper alternative when taxes and transfers are taken into account. This is particularly so with late bookings.
Finally look at the flight times. An early morning departure may mean the cost of overnight accommodation has to be factored in to the calculation.
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Phil Cornelius has been managing director of top UK independent travel agent Ryedale Travel since November 1987. His articles strip away the hype to provide readers with a unique perspective on travel in the 21st century.