.png)
Airline frequent flyer programs are starting to be less of a great deal for free travel, but they can still be valuable, as long as you read the fine print. For example, before you join one, check what their taxes and fees are like. It’s a common way to sneak in extra costs.
Knowing those often-buried taxes and fees will give you an idea of what the real benefits will look like when it’s time to cash in. Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, explains:
Some programs are naughtier than others when it comes to bogus fees and “fuel surcharges.” American Airline’s main partners for European travel, British Airways and Iberia, levy huge fees, which often negate the value of award tickets.
For example, British Airways charges 40,000 miles and more than $680 in taxes and fees for a JFK-London roundtrip in economy. This makes little sense, when tickets can be purchased outright for close to that amount. Plus, you earn miles on tickets you buy.
Delta levies a “foreign origination surcharge” of several hundred dollars when an award ticket originates in Europe. American and United both charge a $75 fee for booking an award within 21 days of departure, while Delta does not. Even though Delta may charge more miles, they have lower booking fees. So, don’t just focus on the cost of trips in miles—also take extra charges into account when deciding what program is best for your particular redemption.
You’ll have to read the fine print for the program, but the effort is worth it if you’d otherwise end up using your rewards (or worse, paying out of pocket) for those unnecessary fees. You can also search online for forums or discussions where current or past program members share their experiences with the program, which can give you an insider’s look at the benefits.
How to Choose the Best Frequent-Flyer Program for You | Travel+Leisure
Image from pedrik.
from Lifehacker http://ift.tt/1Klyfw4
0 comments:
Post a Comment