Cheap Flights

Cheap Flights

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What to look out for when booking cheap flights

Holiday travellers are always on the hunt for the best deal when booking cheap flights. But it is important to always ensure that you check what is included when booking cheap flights.

The Australian cheap flights competition is heating up – to the point of melt down – in recent months as Tiger Airways and more recently the Malaysian cheap flights airline AirAsiaX joined Jetstar and Virgin Blue in what has suddenly become a crowded market for selling cheap flights in Australia.

But be warned; cheap flight airlines operate on a low-cost basis meaning that the term “no frills” can take on a whole new meaning as they compete to put the cheapest airfare on the market.

What do you actually end up paying at the end of the day? Meals certainly aren’t free or cheap and Tiger Airways actively forbid bringing your own meals including food and drink. But it doesn’t stop there – some airlines charge you to check your bags. So it pays to check the fine print when researching your cheap flight options.

Transportation to and from Melbourne’s Avalon Airport should be factored into the Jetstar ticket price as the taxi fare into the city is roughly double that from Tullamarine.

So these cheap flights providers can actually end up being more expensive compared to Qantas – the premium Australian airline – after factoring in the free food, airport location and convenience, especially on the popular routes such as Sydney to Melbourne.

Qantas and Virgin Blue also offer competitive benefits to frequent fliers.

On the longer, more obscure flights, including international Jetstar are hard to beat on most of their routes and earn their reputation as the best cheap flights provider in Australia.

As most people are aware, cheap flights providers will charge like a wounded bull for excess baggage. This is certainly not territory you should venture into so be prepared to mail your holiday shopping home if you over-spend or be prepared to feel the burn of budget airlines excess baggage rates. Baggage limits are tight and you will be charged to the gram for being over the limit.