Flight and Travel Tips   10 Tips for an Easy Flight Children Flying Solo Tips For Smooth Sailing 8 Ways to Save on Your Next Flight How to Get Bumped on Purpose to Save on Airfare Security info   Nine Ways to Score a More Comfortable Airline Seat Buy up Buy a business- or first-class ticket on a legacy line: It's the only surefire way to insure a comfortable seat on virtually any important route, domestic or international. But the budget hit is apt to be substantial up to 10 times what you might pay for a coach ticket. Buy a first- or business-class ticket on a low-fare line: A few domestic low-fare airlines sell business- or first-class tickets for a fraction of what the legacy lines charge (or would charge, absent the competition). Currently, AirTran, America West, Spirit, and Sun Country offer (relatively) low-fare business- or first-class options, and ATA will add business-class cabins by the end of the year. Buy a premium economy ticket: A few foreign-based airlines offer a premium economy option on transatlantic and transpacific flights. Although premium economy is by no means as opulent as international business class, it's good enough to qualify as "comfortable" even in a full plane. Also, look out for United's new premium "p.s." service, debuting on select transcontinental routes this fall. Buy smart Buy a ticket for a good coach seat: No, "good coach seat" isn't an oxymoron; one small domestic line, Midwest, offers them on flights designated "Signature Service." Seating in DC9s and 717s is four-abreast, and legroom, while a bit tight is better than what you would find in most other coach cabins. Buy a coach ticket with an automatic upgrade: Some legacy lines, such as Continental and Northwest, offer no-cost, confirmed upgrades on higher-priced domestic coach tickets. In most cases, those upgrades are confined to connecting routes through the lines major hubs. Buy two coach tickets: Often, the cheapest way to assure lots of room is to buy two coach tickets. If your itinerary qualifies for a very low "sale" fare, two tickets at that price may well cost far less than any other upgrade approach. The numbers work out even better for two travelers on the same itinerary who can share one empty seat between them. Buy with miles Use a frequent flyer status upgrade: The frequent flyer programs of all the legacy lines plus Alaska and America West provide for upgrades that depend on your status in the program. Although details vary, the general principle of all programs is similar: Top-level frequent flyers get unlimited free or inexpensive upgrades on all coach tickets, while upgrades for mid-level frequent flyers are limited by some combination of their status in the frequent flyer hierarchy and what they pay for their coach ticket. Upgrade a coach ticket with frequent flyer miles: The legacy lines plus Alaska and America West all provide upgrades that can be purchased with frequent flyer miles. Typically, you need twice as many miles to upgrade a cheap coach ticket as to upgrade one of the two or three most expensive categories. And, some lines don't permit upgrades to some of the cheapest coach tickets at all or, like Continental, charge fees up to several hundred dollars to do so. Get a "free" business- or first-class frequent flyer ticket: Almost all lines with full-featured frequent flyer programs provide for "free" seats in business class, first class, or both. Mileage requirements are usually around double the miles needed for award seats in coach. Caution: No matter how exalted your status, all frequent flyer upgrade strategies suffer from very limited availability of first- and business-class seats. Back to Top   10 Tips for an Easy Flight Air travel has changed in many ways in recent years, as much for the better (seat-back video screens, self-check-in) as for the worse (long security lines, poor meal quality). But it remains as true as ever that your in-flight experience begins the moment you reserve a seat. The questions you ask before you book and the preparations you make before you board will influence how easy -- and pleasant -- your flight will be. 1. Leave Early If you're traveling to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration or other important function, depart a day early lest a delay make you miss out on the event altogether. 2. Check the Records Look for flights with good on-time performance ratings from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Check the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics Web site before you book, or ask your airline reservationist or travel agent, particularly if you're scheduling a tight connection or if you absolutely have to be there on time. 3. Fly in the Morning Always fly early in the day -- the first departure if you can. This is especially important if you're traveling around a holiday or in another busy period. Flight delays often ripple through the system, so the earlier you leave, the better your chances of avoiding major gridlock down the line. And if something does go wrong, you'll have a whole day's worth of other options to get where you're going. By the same token, don't take the last flight of the day unless you can't avoid it. 4. Think Small A destination's largest airport may offer more diversions and a greater choice of flights -- but sometimes less can add up to more. Smaller airports are often easier to move through and offer a better passenger experience. Long lines at security checkpoints can be a problem at smaller airports, though, so make sure that isn't the case before you choose to depart from one. 5. Avoid Rush Hours Stay away from airport rush hours and other peak-travel periods. On business-travel routes, that's between 8:30 and 10 in the morning and between 4:30 and 6:30 in the afternoon. To Europe, Fridays are busy; coming from Florida, avoid Sundays. Holiday weekends always bustle. 6. Nonstop Is Better Travel nonstop whenever you can. Each time you change planes, you boost the possibility of things going wrong. You become subject to weather and congestion conditions at three airports, not two, and risk mechanical problems or personnel-related delays on two airplanes rather than one. Checked luggage has to make the connections, too. If your connection is to a different carrier, things get even more complicated. 7. Leave Time for Connections Be smart about connections, if you do have to make one. Don't cut it too close. Ask about the minimum connecting times between flights, then add 20 minutes. Airline connecting times are best-case scenarios. Don't put yourself in the position of possibly missing your flight because the gate agent didn't show up, the elevator didn't work, or someone took forever to get his or her bag out of the overhead. And have a backup plan: know the alternative flights out, just in case. 8. Stay Loyal Stick with one or two frequent-flier programs. In addition to racking up free trips faster, you'll also accumulate more quickly the perks that can make trips easier. On some airlines, these include a special reservations number, early boarding, access to upgrades, and more roomy economy-class seating. 9. Check the Plan Seating position isn't just a question of aisle or window. If you require constant access to your carry-on baggage, for instance, make sure you're not in a bulkhead seat. Different makes of planes have different layouts, moreover -- so if you don't want to be stuck next to the lavatory or galley, tell the reservation agent or check the seating plan. 10. Anticipate Problems Delays happen. So do bad movies, unappetizing meals, and overworked flight attendants. Bring snack food, water, and sufficient diversions, and you'll be covered even if you get stuck in the airport, on the tarmac, or in the air during turbulence (when flight attendants may not be available to assist you). Back to Top Children Flying Solo Eleven-year-old Seth boarded an airplane by himself, for a trip to visit his grandparents. His father watched him walk down the runway, then went home, assuming his son would arrive to his destination safely. Six hours later, he discovered Seth had walked off the plane just before it departed. He had left the airport, stopped at a gas station for directions, and trotted 30 miles along a busy interstate to his hometown. If you are allowing your children to fly alone, be sure to take every necessary precaution to ensure their safety. Millions of children fly alone each year, the majority without incident. But Seth's case should be a warning to parents: Be sure you and your child are prepared for the trip. Flying unaccompanied Minors Children between five and 12 who travel without a parent or guardian are known as "unaccompanied minors." Many airlines will not allow children who are under seven to make connections at all, but in the event a minor is old enough to change planes, they will probably be assisted by airline personnel and a fee of $25-$60 will be charged. Some airlines, Southwest for example, will not allow any minor (5-12) to change planes. If you send an unaccompanied minor by plane, you will be required to fill out a form detailing the child's name, age, medical considerations and other relevant information. Upon arrival, children will be escorted from the aircraft by a flight attendant and released to the person named by you prior to departure. In addition, you will have to agree that the airline is not taking on any special responsibility of guardianship during the flight. Legally, an unaccompanied minor is treated in the same way as an adult passenger. What It Will Cost You Most major airlines will charge you $25-$60 each way for an escort fee. The exact fees will depend on the airline and the age of the of the child. Here are the fees charged EACH WAY for domestic flights on the major US Airlines: Airline Nonstop Connecting American  $17 - $40 British Airways $50 EW Continental $25 - $50 Delta $30 - $60 Northwest $20 - £40 Southwest No Charge No connections allowed United  $40 US Airways $30-$55 General Age Guidelines: Airline rules vary but this will give you a good idea of what to expect on domestic flights: Children ages one through four may fly only when accompanied by an adult. A child must be at least five to fly alone. Kids five through eight can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights. Those over eight may change aircraft. If they're eight through eleven, they will be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight. A significant extra charge for this service is likely. Older kids ages 12 through 15 may not be routinely escorted, but you can request this assistance. Anyone under age 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay. Minors must be met at the destination by another parent or responsible adult. As these guidelines vary slightly by airline, be sure to contact your carrier for specific information. Other Considerations Although many airlines offer discounts for minors under normal circumstances, if your child is flying unaccompanied, it is practically a certainty that you will pay a full adult price for the ticket. The good news? The fee you pay for an escort covers an unlimited number of children traveling in the same party (except on Alaska Airlines). Hence, if you are sending your three children together, you pay only once. On international flights, the age restrictions are more stringent. Additional fees may apply if a flight is longer than six hours in duration. Due to new security measures, it is possible you won't be able to accompany your child to the boarding gate. In such cases, the airline will provide an attendant to escort your child through security and accompany them through the boarding process. Sometimes, however, you may request special admission at check-in and accompany your child into the terminal. Such policies vary by airport, so be sure to check ahead of time if this is a concern. Back to Top Tips For Smooth Sailing Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied. Always provide this information to customer service over the phone, and have them inform you of all your options, all fees involved, and so forth. If you can help it, buy your children nonstop tickets only. If a change of planes is necessary, use a small, less intimidating airport for the transfer, if possible. When you send your child, make sure that he/she is traveling with emergency information. For example, leave instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations, including emergency contacts and a means to pay for necessities, such as overnight accommodation. Familiarize your child with the plane ticket and have him/her keep it in a safe place. Upon departure, the child will need to retain the ticket for the return flight or as a receipt. We recommend utilizing e-tickets whenever possible, so the information will be stored in the airline's computers in case of emergency. Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or canceled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate plans. Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If it can be avoided, don't send them with excess luggage. If not, when checking luggage, make sure to check the stubs yourself, to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and luggage tag match your child's final destination. Get to the airport early to ease check-in and get children accustomed to their surroundings. If possible, show them where help desks are located, and get them to recognize uniformed employees. Give them a picture of the person meeting them -- with the full name, address and phone number written on the back. You will need to provide this information to the airline as well. Make sure the adult meeting your child at his or her destination is carrying photo identification. Pack some snacks for the child: juice boxes, chips, sandwiches, trail mix or other finger foods like grapes or berries. Make or buy young children a travel pack to keep them entertained while in-flight. A great place to try is Travel Tots. Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses and phone calls in the event of an emergency. In addition to being sure your child knows how to place a collect call, you may want to give him/her a calling card before she travels, as well as a list of numbers to call if necessary. Just because a five-year-old is permitted to fly solo, does not mean that your child will be able to handle flying alone, especially if it involves a connection and/or a child that hasn't flown before. Parents should use common sense and make a decision based on if they feel the child is mature enough to handle it. Back to Top 8 Ways to Save on Your Next Flight From weekday flights to midnight bookings, tips to help you cut your traveling costs as airlines struggle to cope with high fuel costs, travelers can look forward to rising ticket prices. Here are eight ways to score the best deals: 1. Try to book flights midweek, late at night. Many airlines post fare changes just after midnight, so it often pays to go online after hours when you're seeking cheaper fares. (Conversely, many good deals expire at midnight, so if you see a fare that seems reasonable, don't hesitate or you may lose it.) 2. Fly on a Tuesday or a Thursday. These two days typically see the fewest air passengers, so in many cases you'll find the lowest fares for travel on these days. (A Saturday-night stay is often, but not always, required.) 3. Consider flying from secondary airports. Smaller, secondary airports are often used by discount airlines, which usually drive down fares for all airport traffic. Instead of flying out of New York City's main airports, try White Plains, north of the city in Westchester County, or MacArthur (on Long Island). As a substitute for Boston, try Manchester, New Hampshire, or Providence, Rhode Island; in Miami try Fort Lauderdale; in Chicago try Midway; in Los Angeles try Orange County or Bob Hope (Burbank); and in San Francisco try Oakland, San Jose, or (especially if you're headed to California Wine Country) Sacramento. 4. Play the bidding game wisely. Priceline.com and similar online booking services don't let users submit repeat bids using the exact same criteria. For example, you can't start at $40 for an L.A.-to-New York ticket and then keep working your way up to a price the booking service will accept. If you have to fly on particular dates to or from a town with multiple airports and want to make sure you pay the lowest possible fare, test the waters by listing just one airport for each town on your first bid. List the ones you prefer first, in case the bid is accepted. If it's not, add airports as you raise your bid. 5. Fly on a holiday. Just as the most expensive fares tend to be on the days and weekends on either side of a major holiday, some of the least expensive are on the holiday itself -- especially on Christmas and Thanksgiving. 6. Look to Europe's no-frills discount airlines. Many cheap, bare-bones discount airlines -- among them Ryanair and EasyJet -- offer inexpensive flights between key European cities. 7. Double-check your airfare even after you buy a ticket. After you buy a ticket, especially if you buy it many weeks in advance, check periodically to see if the fare comes down. You'll often have to pay a fee of $40 or $60 to rebook your flight, but if the fare has dropped by more than that amount, you will save money. 8. If you're traveling as part of a large group, negotiate a discount. Maybe you and a large group of friends are heading somewhere, or you're planning a family reunion: if more than 20 of you are planning to fly to the same place, contact the group-sales departments of a few airlines and have them submit bids for your group. You can expect to get a fare at least one-third lower than the going published rate for individual travelers. Back to Top How to Get Bumped on Purpose to Save on Airfare BUMPING denied boarding occurs when there are more passengers with confirmed reservations who show up for a flight than there are seats on the plane. This is called overbooking the plane. (Or if the flight is a particularly full one, it may exceed the weight limit even with empty seats.) Airlines overbook because they know from experience that all passengers who have made reservations seldom show up for the flight. To have any chance of filling the plane, airline computers estimate the number of passengers likely to be no-shows and accept reservations accordingly. (Airlines also ignore the overbook limit when a customer is buying a full-fare ticket, because the cost of bribing volunteers with a bump ticket is usually less than the additional income derived from a full-fare ticket.) Airlines usually guess right--fewer than 20 of every 10,000 passengers are voluntarily or involuntarily bumped. But when they make a mistake, they are obliged to pay the price. (They are not, however, obliged to offer compensation when flights are canceled because of weather conditions, changes in aircraft, such as when a smaller plane is substituted for a larger one, on planes with sixty or fewer passengers, or on flights originating outside the United States.) For a business person rushing to close a deal, getting bumped is a disaster. For those with the flexibility to take advantage of such travel boondoggle as come their way, getting bumped--and compensated--is an absolute windfall. Travel Tips Expert bumpees, who have more time than money for traveling, suggest making a reservation only if a flight is almost full. If there are less than eight seats available, some people will most likely be bumped. Look for flights on heavily traveled days, but on small-bodied aircraft like 727s and 737s. (Bumping compensation rules don't apply to commuter airlines or charter flights.) If the airline asks for volunteers, speak up. The compensation could be as little as a $50 voucher or it could go as high as a 100% free ticket. Reminder: You don't get a free flight if the airline can get you on another flight for the same destination within the hour. Back to Top