If you consider yourself a weathered traveler with a long history of domestic and international flights you surely know how it has become hard to find really cheap air tickets. What we considered as "ok" options only ten years ago are now the cheapest fares we can get, and the ongoing trends aren't very optimistic in that sense. Air ticket prices have increased considerably and finding cheap air tickets has become very hard. There's a number of reasons for this situation and you have to understand them very well in order to be realistic about your cheap air ticket expectations these days. So, let's take a closer look at the current state of affairs in the airline industry and learn why cheap air tickets have become such a rare beast.

Falling competition

Some 15 years ago the airline market was a really crowded scene. There were dozens of major, average and small airlines offering a very broad range of flights and ticket prices. But what do we have now? Only three major airlines in the USA, two in Canada and several serving the entire Europe. The industry has changed a lot since 9/11 and especially since the 2008 crisis. Many companies went bankrupt, others merged with larger players, and as a result there are now fewer airlines servicing an ever increasing number of both business and leisure travelers. Needless to say, with less intense competition on the market it's much simpler for the large players to set their own prices - you just have no other choice.

Raising oil prices

It's actually surprising that cheap air tickets are still possible to get in general assuming the tremendous increase in fuel prices over the last two decades. In the late 1990's a gallon of fuel was only $0.50 whereas now it costs at least five times more! And the fuel prices don't show any signs of decline in the future. The airlines have tried taking much of the increased fuel cost upon themselves, but this was actually one of the reasons for the large number of bankruptcies in the industry over the last several years. Eventually, part of the increased fuel cost is now transferred over the customers, so finding cheap air tickets has become more problematic.

Numerous fees

The authorities aren't helping the travelers as well, introducing a wide range of fees that sometimes can make up half of the price you pay for the ticket. All those 9/11, immigration, airport and security fees can make a regular domestic flight really pricey. And the rest of the world seems to catch up with the trend, introducing new fees and taxes that make it harder and harder to get cheap air tickets every year.

Profit-oriented companies

The airline industry has suffered a major blow after the 2008 economic crisis. On the one hand, the collapse of the credit and banking system has shattered the financial stability for many companies. And on the other hand, the declining economy resulted in lower economic activity, fewer travelers and more demand for cheap air tickets. In order to survive in such harsh conditions the companies that have managed to live through the hardest period were forced to reduce the number of flights, thus making sure that all their flights are full, and prefer business travellers, who are traditionally very flexible in terms of ticket price, to leisure travelers, who are rather price-sensitive. And since the overall picture hasn't changed much over the last several years, it's very likely that such a state of affairs will persist for a very long time. Read More......

Italian drivers are certainly infamous for being very aggressive and compulsive on the road - a fact that may scare off a lot of travels who are thinking about getting a rental car on their trip to Italy. But don't let the unexpected creativity of Italian drivers become such a big factor for you, since it's only common to see such behavior in large cities with heavy traffic. And there are several good reasons to stay out of cities while driving a car in Italy. So it's definitely worth addressing car rental companies if you want to make your Italian vacation as comfortable and exciting as possible. Still, you may want to consider certain recommendations when working with local car rental companies.

Avoid big cities

It's hard to stress enough the advice to avoid driving in large Italian cities. First of all, the traffic there may be very heavy and crazy, so you will simply crash the joy of driving in Italy by getting stressed out on the narrow and crowded streets of large places. Typically, the major metropolitan tourist destinations such as Rome, Milano, Naples, Verona or Venice have good public transportation networks and therefore you don't really need a car of your own to get around most large cities. Besides, some Italian cities are gradually introducing the tax system, which makes it rather expensive to drive in the car in the city center. So if you're looking forward to staying only in large places and don't plan going off the beaten path, there's no need to address the local car rental companies altogether.

Drive with the help of GPS

It makes sense to rent a car only if you want to go to the Italian countryside, which is a great idea if you're looking for the real local flavor. Most of the smaller villages are off the national train grid, so you will actually benefit from renting a car. However, you should definitely get a GPS navigator if there's so an option, because getting around the small curvy roads, some of which can even be uncharted, is definitely a great idea. And you should also get a road map as a backup in case the GPS is not accurate enough or you're going to a really remote place.

Don't ignore the local laws

You must carry the International Driver's License when renting a car in Italy. The laws and regulations regarding the necessary car contents such as reflective vests and signs tend to vary from one region to another, so you should definitely ask car rental companies about the local regulations in order to avoid possible complications with the police. And always make sure that your car corresponds to these regulations - it's the rental company's duty to make it all work.

Drive the car of your dream!

Italy is where the famous sport car brands are produced and many travelers sure feel inclined to drive a super car along the picturesque Italian countryside. Fortunately for you, there is a number of car rental companies that will make your dream come true. Of course, it won't come as cheap as renting a regular car. But if you've been dreaming about driving a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Alfa Romeo through the narrow country roads and the magnificent mountainous landscapes, this is definitely the best option to make your dream come true!
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When you first think of it, it's rather strange to see any risks in addressing car rental companies around the globe as it's a type of business that doesn't involve large amounts of money or too much access to personal data. But when you hear various stories about travelers being literally ripped by car rental companies for services they didn't even know of or becoming victims of fraud schemes involving car rental companies, it's easy to become overly-cautious about all types of rental services, especially when going overseas. To be adequate in your expectations and avoid any risks regarding car rental companies you don't have to become a car rental expert. There are simple rules you must follow, which will help you avoid unpleasant situations and get the best service no matter where you wish to go to. Here are some simple tips on how to stay on the safe side when dealing with car rental companies:

Make sure they are licensed

First thing you must do when dealing with car rental companies is checking if they are licensed. Of course, it seems obvious that a large rental business is a licensed legal entity. But in some countries that might be a different case. And of course, when dealing with a legal entity it's much easier to settle any disputes compared to working with an individual. So always make sure that the company you are looking forward to renting a vehicle from is an actual legal entity to begin with. It's easy to do when checking their site online. And if they don't have one, well, this should certainly raise doubts about using their services.

Learn the local peculiarities and legislation

Local legislation can be a pain in the neck, especially when traveling abroad. Don't expect the local rules to be identical to those of the US - this is a mistake that causes too many problems to international travelers. Check the local legislation, especially when it comes to gas fees, contracts, extra services, airport and station taxes and so on. This will save you a lot of money and nerve when you get to your destination and will also give you some firm base for settling any kind of disputes with the rental company if such arise.

Check out the competition

No matter how small the country of your destination is there should be at least a couple of car rental companies to choose from. And you always have to check the competition not only for better prices but also to learn the average rates for different types of cars in the country. Even if there are two or three car rental companies, the competition will force them to keep the rates at a similar level and it will be easier for you to pick a car according to the local fees and circumstances.

Inquire about all the extras

Extra fees and services can sometimes add up hundreds of dollars to your original receipt at a car rental company. And these extras tend to vary a lot from country to country. For example, a child seat can go free of charge in Finland but it may cost you additional 15 Euro per day in Italy. The same goes for return fees and other widespread extra services. That's why you always have to check the price-list for extras and inquire about the conditions when these extras apply. This can save you a lot of money and free you from unnecessary stress.

Check the feedback

The common practice of providing feedback on different types of services such as accommodation, transportation, housing, catering and so on involves car rental companies as well. There are many travel forums that feature separate threads for discussing car rental companies and there are even separate review sites to check the feedback. So make sure to address these resources any time you want to rent a car, especially abroad, since it can prepare you for all types of situations that other travelers already went through.
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If you really want to travel at affordable rates there are different ways to get cheap air tickets. Just google the term ""cheap air tickets" and you'll get tons of helpful tips that all boil down to several simple truths that can really help find what you need. Among these tips you will sometimes find two contradictory recommendations: buying early and buying late. While buying early sounds quite logic to anyone who has ever dealt with preliminary booking and knows that the earlier you book a plane, car or hotel the lower are the rates, buying late sounds a bit strange. However, it's a very common practice for all types of airlines to offer last minute deals on plane tickets they haven't managed to sell. The mechanism behind this practice is rather simple: airlines prefer making at least some money on unsold tickets rather than flying a half-empty plane. And that's exactly why last minute purchase can result in very cheap air tickets. But what is the risk involved with such a method of purchasing and is the prize really worth it?

The risks are rather apparent, when you come to think of the situation.

First of all, last minute deals may pop up within hours or even minutes before departure. This implies your full readiness for the flight, and you may even want to be at the airport already in order to reap the benefit of a last minute deal. It's really hard to imagine anyone going to the airport without having a valid ticket, actually, so this may seem like a very awkward practice, especially those who prefer having all things ready in advance. On the other hand, such cheap air tickets can add excitement to compulsive travelers who just come to the airport and pick a destination on the spot. But in any case, you will need to have your luggage ready for the trip and able to set off to the departure zone in a matter of minutes.

The availability of seats is another obvious risk associated with the last minute ticket purchasing . Sure, if you're traveling alone there will usually be an empty seat on virtually any plane, unless it's the peak of the traveling season. But if you're traveling with your spouse, partner, business associate or children? The likelihood of finding at least two adjacent seats with last-minute deals is very low and you risk flying different planes with your traveling companions. It's hardly acceptable even for the least pretentious of travelers, so this might be a very bad idea. The bottom line is that last-minute ticket purchasing can only be practiced by those traveling alone, unless you really want to soak up with stress during your trip, worrying about your travel companions.

And then there's the question of availability. Sure, most flights have at least a couple of empty seats before departure that are sold as last minute deals. But what if the plane is literally full and you really need to take it. This is one of the most pronounced risks when looking for cheap air tickets through last minute deals. If the timing is crucial for you and you really need to get to your destination on a precise date or hour, then buying late can be too much of a risk to assume. However, if you are flexible with your travel and can wait for another flight in case the current one is sold out, then last minute purchasing can be a really good source of cheap air tickets.
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We all want to travel without spending too much money, there's nothing wrong with that. The pursuit for cheap air tickets is shared by so many people that there's nothing to be ashamed of when shopping around for tickets online. However, there are reasonable limits to how cheap the tickets can be, which are defined not by the economical possibility of buying cheap air tickets but by the quality of service you get for your money. In this sense the pursuit for extra cheap air tickets can actually result in very unpleasant situations and far more compromises than you are ready to make in the first place. So how can you tell if going cheap is really worth the effort and when you simply have to stop?

The first thing you probably do when looking for cheap air tickets is early booking, and that's a very good idea. Early booking is definitely the easiest way to get affordable fares for virtually any flight. The earlier you book the better are the savings. But this may not always be the case with your trip, since booking several months in advance may simply be not your story. What if it's an emergency trip or a business meeting that was decided only several days in advance? That certainly excludes the possibility of an early booking. But still, if you have the time to book in advance - just do it, because it's the best way to get cheap air tickets without sacrificing anything.

Using discounter airlines is the second and most common solution for buying cheap air tickets. These airlines service most major domestic and international routes and are present virtually all over the globe. Discounter airlines have earned their nickname due to the lower overall price of their fares compared to traditional airlines, and that's exactly what most travelers are attracted by. However, when you check the details, things turn not as bright as you would expect. The level of comfort is usually inferior on discounter flights, all services such as meals, drinks and luggage are subject to extra fees, the flight timing can also be inconvenient. And as a result you end up paying a bit less and sacrificing a great degree of comfort that is taken for granted with traditional airlines. Of course, it's up to you do decide whether this is acceptable or not, but in many cases there's a significant tradeoff when dealing with discounter airlines.

The practise of connected flights, odd flight times and alternative airports, which are often suggested by saving tip experts are, of course, difficult to overlook. When choosing connected flights over direct flights, especially if it's an international flight it is definitely true that it can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars. Alternative airports may also prove to be an affordable solution if you're departing from an area with several airports. And odd flight times during the nights and on low days can surely get the air ticket cost low. But is it really worth it? Imagine spending 12+ hours with several connected flights instead of 3 hours with a direct route. Or having to drive 50 miles just to get to an alternative airport. And are you so eager to stay up all night just to take that early morning flight? In cases like these there's an immense degree of discomfort involved that is rarely taken into account before you actually make the trip. However, when you have to deal with it there are more implications than just the cost of your trip. Spending all day running between connected flights or choosing late/early flights will seriously deteriorate your productivity, which is especially crucial during business trips. And even if it's a leisure trip, are you really eager to spend the next couple of days getting back to norm after your tedious long flight? Certainly not! That's exactly when cheap air tickets aren't worth the effort they require.
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In this day and age when all types of services are subject to globalization and it's easy to find the same things at opposite sides of the planet, it's not surprising that car rental companies all around the world tend to look all the same. Sure, there's a local flavor to any type of service and you can't deny the influence of local competition, gas prices and economy in general. However, wherever you go, car rental companies will tend to offer virtually the same services and the same options. The only things that will differ are the car selection and the rental rates. Well, that's how it all looks at first. But if you take the time to take a closer look at car rental companies around the globe you will realize that there are certain specifics you must learn before renting a car, if you don't want to end up paying an enormous extra charge. Here are the things to watch out for when reviewing the services of car rental companies around the globe:

Local taxes

The first thing to consider when travelling around the globe and looking for rental cars is the local taxation. Quite often, large airports, train stations and sea ports carry special taxes for all types of services provided on their territory, including vehicle rental. This doesn't actually depend on car rental companies but this can add up to the cost of renting the car, and the difference can be significant depending on your destination. So make sure to learn about the local airport and station fees before renting the vehicle on site - it's often more convenient to take a taxi to the city and find a rental office there that doesn't carry any additional taxes and fees.

Extra charges, fees and penalties

Extra charges and hidden costs are the most popular tools used by car rental companies to make you pay more, and they tend to get very tricky when travelling abroad. If you know your domestic rental fees and extra charges this doesn't mean anything when traveling abroad, since car rental companies around the world will use different methods and charge different extra rates. This is especially important when going to such places as the European Union, where the services market may seem regulated but where every country has its own rules, practices and extra charges respectively. So it can make a huge difference if you rent a car in Berlin and leave it Prague, for example, or if you do the same in Lisbon and Rome - there will be different charges and regulations involved.

Insurance

Insurance is another common tool for making customers pay more, and it can make a big difference depending on where you want to go. In most countries car insurance is mandatory and car rental companies are obliged to have all their cars insured before offering them for rent. However, in certain countries the responsibility may be transferred to the customer, so the rental insurance will be mandatory. Make sure to learn about local insurance requirements in order to decide whether you actually need insurance or if it's just an option.

Traffic rules

Knowing the traffic rules of the country you will go to is a must. Sure, in most cases all the rules are similar if not identical, even for countries with different traffic directions. However, minor regulations and rules can make a big difference, especially when renting a car. For example, in some countries baby seats are required to carry a child in the car by law, while in other countries it is an option. The same goes for mobile phone use while driving. All these small regulations may require you to get extras with your car such as hands-free cell devices, child seats and others. That's why it is important to learn the traffic rules before renting the car abroad.

Competition

Learning the local competition can give you an advantage when shopping around car rental companies overseas. Depending on how crowded the rental market is, you will get different rates and different extra costs. So it may be more affordable to rent a car in a large city where the competition is fierce and drive to your destination, instead of paying more in a smaller town where there's only one rental office.
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Flying cheap is definitely one of those things all travelers take as a blessing. First of all, because it can really take off the pressure off your traveling budget. But also because it's an opportunity that doesn't come around all that often. Still, travelers tend to find various ways of buying cheap air tickets and often succeed in their intension to keep traveling costs within reasonable limits. That's how all those tips on cheap air tickets are created. However, besides the obvious advantage of reduced prices, cheap flights have certain drawbacks that tend to surface more often than with ordinary priced tickets. Some people tend to overlook them, focusing solely on the price of the flight, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you won't feel them. So in order to be ready for possible drawbacks of cheap air tickets make sure to understand the price they usually come at:

Convenience

The most common price you have to pay for cheap air tickets is the convenience of your flight. Quite often the cheapest fares are available for odd-time flights such as nighttime flights, between secondary airports on off days of the week. This means that you will have to take additional measures for getting to your exact destination, get up very early (or don't get any sleep at all) and spend extra days somewhere you may not want to stay for too long. Not to mention connected flights that can stretch a routine several hour flight into a whole day of flights and spending time at airports. As a rule of thumb, the most convenient flights will cost you more, so in order to get cheap air tickets you will have to sacrifice the convenience factor of your trip.

Comfort

Cheap air tickets are usually available through discount airlines, which are primarily known for their minimalistic approach towards all forms of comfort during flights. Not that you will have a hard time finding a pillow or getting a meal on board, only that it will cost you additional money, which will diminish the whole idea of getting cheap air tickets in the first place. Traditional airlines may sometimes adopt the same approach when selling cheap air tickets, so get ready to give away some of the usual comforts if you want to fly cheap.

Availability

One of the main tips on getting cheap air tickets is booking them well in advance, which makes the question of availability all too evident. Cheap flights aren't as easy to find, especially if you have to fly soon. So you will always have to settle with the options available at the time of your purchase, which aren't very broad in most cases. Moreover, the selection of airlines, through which you will be able to get cheaper airfares will always be limited of compared to standard fares. And that is why the problem of availability is one of the most pronounced questions when trying to get cheap air tickets.

Flexibility

All of the articles providing tips on cheap flights will suggest that you become more flexible in your choices when flying. Flexibility should be exercised in everything, starting with the class of seats to when and where you fly. Of course, being flexible to an extent is certainly a great thing and it can really save you money. But what if you're already used to a certain level of comfort, convenience and service quality? Wouldn't it mean that by becoming more flexible you will simply have to refuse from all the things you actually find pleasing during a flight? In this perspective, becoming too flexible is often a synonym to putting your personal needs behind. And it's up to you to decide whether this price is fair enough for getting cheap air tickets.
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