| Every international budget traveler, and many | | | | few people who can afford first class |
| domestic budget travelers as well, will | | | | transatlantic flights fly on charter |
| eventually be introduced to the idea of using | | | | airlines, the first class section is often |
| chartered flights. Using charter flights has | | | | almost empty. Due to this disparity, it is |
| important advantages and some drawbacks to be | | | | often possible to upgrade to first class for |
| aware of. | | | | very low prices. |
| | | | |
| There is no doubt that airfare is one of the | | | | When you check in for your charter flight, |
| biggest expenses of any vacation. Airfare | | | | always be sure to ask if an upgrade to first |
| costs can easily represent at leas half of | | | | class is available. These upgrades are |
| the total cost of a vacation, and if you do | | | | almost always available, and the price can be |
| not get the best possible deal on airfare it | | | | as low as $50. This is an unheard of deal |
| is easy to go over budget. | | | | for a long transatlantic flight. |
| | | | |
| One advantage of charter flights is that they | | | | These price advantages, of course, often come |
| can often allow a traveler to fly to a | | | | with some associated drawbacks. One of the |
| popular destination, like Europe, in the high | | | | most significant disadvantages of many |
| season for a much lower cost than comparable | | | | charter flight operators is that their level |
| commercial flights. | | | | of customer service can be much worse than |
| | | | the major commercial air carriers. |
| That is because commercial airlines generally | | | | |
| greatly increase their airfares during the | | | | From late opening ticket windows, to flight |
| popular high season, due to the effects of | | | | delays to luggage problem, many charter |
| supply and demand. During the high season, | | | | airlines have a bad reputation for customer |
| charter flights can often be much less | | | | service. |
| expensive than those ion traditional | | | | |
| airlines. | | | | Fortunately, the internet has made the |
| | | | process of finding reliable charter airlines, |
| Another advantage of charter flights that | | | | and avoiding the bad ones, much easier.The |
| many people are unaware of is that it is | | | | many travel related web sites and newsgroups |
| sometimes possible to upgrade to first class | | | | are great ways to learn about the various |
| for very low prices. | | | | charter airlines that operate international |
| | | | flights, swap stories and tips with those who |
| Many travelers do not realize it, but charter | | | | have been there, and of course to compare |
| planes do have first class sections. Since | | | | prices. |