Travel and tourism agencies provided seven basic tips for booking airline tickets for flights from the domestic market during 2020, to avoid large price increases, pointing to large differences between the prices of the initial offering of tickets compared to recent reservations by more than 100%.

Agencies across the Emirates Today advised to plan early to know peak times, taking into account flexible dates for travel reservations, monitor prices across available channels, as well as expand search options to include nearby stations, and the basic differences between ticket prices, including adjustments that can be made It out on the ticket.

Early planning

In detail, Yassin Diab, director general of the "Al-Faisal Travel and Tourism Agency" said that early planning for airline ticket reservations contributes to a significant reduction in costs, compared to those that take place just a few days before travel during peak times in particular.

He added that «once the usual peak times are known, it must begin with planning, price control and ticket reservations before a sufficient period, and this may be two to three months before the date of travel».

Diab pointed out that the flexible dates of travel reservations and flight times also play a role in the presence of large differences in prices, especially in the event that more than one ticket is reserved for families, noting that the prices of trips at the most requested times during peak periods may increase by large proportions against the ticket The one.

He pointed out that airlines offer preliminary prices on their flights, which increase with the increase in the occupancy rate of available seats, with large differences between the prices of the initial offering, and those related to recent reservations, to exceed the 100% barrier increases.

He said that the prices of direct flight tickets are often higher than those that include one or more stops.

Diab pointed out that the main travel peaks from the local market, in which the demand for travel rises to record levels, usually coincides with school holidays, events, and public holidays.

Promotions

In turn, Said Al-Abedi Holding Company for Tourism and Travel said that obtaining discounted prices for flights that coincide with the peak periods requires some effort and research by the customer, stressing the importance of benefiting from the promotional offers offered by airlines at an early date. .

Al-Abdi indicated that the prices of the initial offering of tickets that coincide with the peak seasons are higher than those that coincide with the moderate periods in terms of demand, but they increase gradually as the time for travel approaches, pointing to the importance of delaying and not booking directly, while monitoring the prices of airlines Various channels and reservation destinations available.

He mentioned that there are several prices for the same airline ticket during reservations, indicating that the main differences between the types of prices are the adjustments that the customer can make to the ticket and the available options, because the “special price” is the lowest price with restrictions on the reservation process and the amendments, while it is distinguished The "saving price" is slightly more flexible than the special price, while the "flexible price" allows the traveler to make adjustments and cancellations for a specific fee.

The search process

In a related context, General Manager of «Belhasa Tourism Company», Narrows Sarkis, said that «conducting adequate research before making reservations is a great priority to obtain the best price options for tickets, as this allows to know the various options and the nature of prices and the days in which they increase the demand".

He continued, "Sometimes booking to other destinations close to the original station is an appropriate option to reduce ticket costs, and search options should always be expanded."

Sarkis warned that not all search engines are equal during the quotation, as some provide excellent search tools that make it easier to find more options.

He said, "The first price offered to the customer should not be reserved, but rather the search should be expanded. The prices of direct flight tickets are sometimes higher than those that include one or more stops."

7 tips for booking new airline tickets

1. Pre-planning and early booking to ensure the best possible rate.

2. Specify flexible dates for travel and take advantage of the price differences between days and flight times.

3. Take advantage of the promotional offers that airlines offer long before.

4. Not to book directly, and to monitor prices with airlines, travel agencies and network reservation sites.

5. Reservation to other destinations close to the original station is an appropriate option to reduce ticket costs.

6. Not all search engines are equal to bid, and some provide excellent search tools.

7. Knowing the differences between ticket prices such as "special price", "savings price" and "flexible price".

Search engines are unequal while quoting and some provide excellent search tools.