TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

If you live apart from your family, sudden sickness or a death in the family can see you having to book a last-minute flight at top dollar.

Airlines do have a policy for compassionate flights. Phone the airline and explain the crisis. You will have to fax documents proving critical illness or death of a family member but airlines will generally offer exceptionally low prices in these circumstances. They will also allow a change of return date without incurring the usual fee.

Isn't that good to know, just in case.

Do you travel a lot, particularly by plane? Did you know that its not only the major airlines that offer frequent flyer programs?

Many smaller airlines have grouped together to form larger plans, so you can collect miles even if you fly with more than one airline. For example, several Scandinavian airlines are part of the EuroBonus frequent flyer plan, and the Flying Blue plan includes KLM and Air France.

Basically, don't assume that the smaller airlines that you use don't have a frequent flyer program. Make sure you ask.

You may think you have got yourself a bargain flight, but check all the add-ons and small print before booking a 'bargain' flight.

Discount airlines will charge a booking fee, a fee for booking a specific seat (more for window and aisle seats), fees for check-in luggage, carry-on luggage, adding a pushchair or even taking along a wheelchair. Food and drinks are also costly, so add up ALL the fees before counting your savings.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by collecting air miles. If you remain loyal to a particular airline you can accrue air miles more quickly and trade them for a free flight or an upgrade before they expire.

Some credit cards and hotel chains will also add to your air miles. If all else fails you can donate your air miles to charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation or the United Way.

If you're going to be sitting on an airplane for several hours, it's a very good idea to get the best seat possible to make your trip comfortable.

The most immediate option that people think of is the classic "window or aisle" choice. While the window does provide some great views, you may find that perk starts to get stale after an hour of flying over the clouds. Aisle seats don't give you much to look at, but you have more leg room and won't have to jostle past your seat-mates if you want to get up to use the washroom or when it's time to disembark.

For the most leg room, a seat in any of the rows with an emergency exit is your best bet because the rows are wider.

Another thing to consider is turbulence. Flights near the wings will feel less bumpy if the plane hits any rough air pockets. A nice touch if you are prone to motion sickness or just get nervous while flying.