Travelers who want a trip to Europe and still have a flexible schedule use one-way flights to maximize their options. But historically, one-way fares have been far more expensive per mile than round trip travel. While that is still true with some routes flown by legacy airlines like American and United/Continental, there are enough exceptions that finding cheap one-way flights is easier than ever…

The Five Things You Should Know to Find Cheap Airfares

Tips for Finding Cheap One-Way Fares

Start looking for cheap tickets three to four months before departure. FareCompare‘s flight search engine is a terrific resource for this, and it allows searches for one-way flights. Tuesday afternoons are excellent times to book tickets because airlines will have had time to match off the fare sales that typically begin Monday evening.

Generally, you will have the best luck with discount airlines such as JetBlue and Southwest – airlines that price tickets based on each segment. However, on particularly competitive routes, legacy carriers sometimes match – or even beat – discount airlines’ fares, even on one-way tickets.

Cheapest Days to Fly and Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets

Beware of using “throwaway ticketing.” This is the practice of buying a cheap round-trip ticket, but then “forgetting” to come back. It is against airline rules, and if the airlines catch you, they can charge you for the more expensive one-way ticket or confiscate your unused flight coupons. Yes, people do this, but it can cost you if you are caught.

With flights to Europe, sites like Europe by Air offer flexible visitor tickets at a flat rate for use during a 120-day time period. Another option for travelers to Europe is to try Aer Lingus. This Irish airline sells fairly cheap one-way tickets between the U.S. and Ireland. This allows you to use Ireland as your gateway and arrange your European itinerary from there.

The Cheapest Time of Year to Fly: During “Dead Zones”

Finding One-Way Fare Sales

On many airline websites, you can sign up to be notified of fare sales. One example is Southwest Airlines’ “Click and Save” weekly emails. Following airlines’ Twitter feeds is another good option. For example, JetBlue posts its “Cheeps” deals on Twitter every Tuesday. Many airlines use their Facebook pages to announce fare sales, so it’s a good idea to “Like” airline pages so you won’t miss out. Finally, signing up for FareCompare‘s air fare alerts will ensure you don’t miss out on great sales or last-minute fares.

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Courtesy of Collin Quick for farecompare.com

Airlines Offer Free Flights to Disgruntled Passengers

For example, after flooding in Bangkok, Thailand, U.S. airlines that fly there waived their ticket change fees for their Bangkok passengers. The recent labor dispute that shut down Australia’s Qantas Airline resulted in free tickets for disgruntled passengers, and JetBlue passengers stuck on the tarmac after a recent early snowstorm in the northeast were offered similar compensation. These incidents show that airlines are being slightly more pro-consumer these days, in hopes of counteracting bad press and making passengers happy…

Bad Weather Flight Delays and Cancelled Flights – What to Do Next?

Recent Qantas and JetBlue Problems

Qantas‘ fleet was grounded for two days in October during a dispute with unions, and 80,000 stranded passengers were furious. But Qantas is compensating stranded passengers by giving them each a free round-trip economy class ticket within Australia and New Zealand. JetBlue refunded passengers that were stranded on the tarmac in Connecticut for up to eight hours, after a surprise snowstorm in late October. Customers were also promised a round-trip voucher for future use, but regulations don’t require airlines to compensate passengers for similar situations.

DOT Rules on Stranded Passengers

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation implemented rules imposing fines on airlines of $27,000 per passenger when they held passengers on idling jets for more than three hours. Though the rule at first only applied to domestic flights, international airlines are now also subject to the fines. The effect of the rule has been airlines that are more likely to cancel a flight rather than risk stranding passengers on the runway and facing these steep fines. So while you are less likely to end up trapped on the tarmac, you are more likely to face a cancellation.
Making Overbooked Flights Work in Your Favor

How Passengers can Prepare

With airlines taking a more preemptive approach when they face the possibility of dangerous weather, FareCompare readers must be proactive to maximize the chances of reaching their destination on time. This winter, if you face a weather threat, call your airline or check their website before going to the airport. Have their customer service numbers programmed into your phone and their reservation website bookmarked on your laptop or tablet so that if your flight is canceled once you are at the airport you can begin the re-booking process simultaneously through multiple interfaces. Simply getting in line at the gate when your flight is canceled lowers your chances of getting on the next available flight.
Flight Cancelled? 5 Tips to Get on the Next Flight

The Price Airlines Pay

The recent labor disruption cost Qantas around $71 million, and the free flights may cost up to $25 million. Qantas’ stock has fallen 4.2 percent since late October, compared to a 1.8 percent decline in the S&P stock index. Though JetBlue’s stock is down for the year, it has not suffered significantly since the New England snowstorm in October, perhaps because the weather problems were perceived as less preventable than Qantas’ labor dispute. But there’s little dispute that bad press can tarnish an airline’s image, counteracting some of the appeal of booking those cheap flights.

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Courtesy of Collin Quick for farecompare.com

Phuket  is a city located in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand. It is the capital of the Phuket Province, covering all of the island. As of 2007 the city has a population of 75,573 people. Phuket has a dry season that runs from December through March and a wet season that covers the other eight months. However, like many cities that feature a tropical monsoon climate, Phuket sees some precipitation even during its dry season.