When you have chosen a flight to book but it does not offer cheap plane fares, you may want to ask whether it is a code share flight. Code share means that two different airlines are offering the same flight. Check the other airline and you may find out that they offer cheap plane fares although the first airline does not. It is likely that both of them are listed for this flight, but the reality is that only one of them is actually operating it. And in most cases, the airline operating the flight usually offers cheap plane fares. It is not unusual to find code share flights, because virtually all airlines have learned to form alliances. You would want to get cheap plane fares the next time you travel. You can volunteer to get bumped, and they may allow you to travel free in return. Getting bumped means that you are already checked-in and all set to get on the plane but you choose to give up the seat in favor of somebody else when the flight is overbooked. It has been the quiet practice of airlines to book more seats than are actually available, because the statistical probability is that some passengers will not show up, for various causes such as an emergency, a change of plans, or they just missed the flight. Airlines want all seats to be occupied, as much as possible, and so they oversell. There are times, though, when every booked passenger does show up. To solve the problem, the airline asks for volunteers willing to be bumped onto a later flight. If you are not on a hurry and are willing to be delayed, you can do the airline a favor; they will compensate you with a voucher for a free flight or discount for cheap plane fares. To be an eligible volunteer, you have to check in early. You must inform the gate attendant that you would not mind getting bumped. Before you enlist yourself as one of the volunteers, you have to make sure that the airline company can give assurance that you have the seat with another airline, or the next flight. Failing to do so would mean that you shoulder any costs incurred for extending your stay beyond the following day. Be sure also to understand the airline s policy on vouchers and tickets to avoid any costly mistake. Your name will be announced if the flight is indeed overbooked usually on Mondays. You will then be issued a voucher with an amount that can be applied to your future ticket purchase resulting in cheap plane fares, and be provided with a seat on a later flight or with another airline. If the airline seems pretty desperate, you should angle for a better deal, such as meal and hotel vouchers as well. When planning to utilize a voucher, frequent flyer miles, certificate or a senior special cheap plane fares, avoid traveling during a blackout time. Blackouts happen in peak seasons for travel and major holidays.
