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Air
passes are special fare programs offered by national airlines and
international airline alliances, that gives you the privilege of exploring
multiple countries in a particular region at discounted rates. It is ideal
for travelers who are traveling with their own personalized itinerary
around the world (example: backpackers).
An
air pass could save you money over buying point-to-point tickets if you
are planning extensive travel within a large country or region.
Is an air pass right for you? Here are some basic facts about air passes
and a summary of regional passes around the globe.
How do air passes work?
The
price of your pass is generally determined by the number of flight
segments on your itinerary, the distance you're flying and how long you
plan to travel. A few air pass programs also include the price of your
international airfare to the region. (For passes that require you to pay
for coupons or segments, read the terms carefully; connecting flights may
require multiple coupons.)
Some air passes are more flexible than others. Certain providers require
you to purchase and reserve every leg of your trip before you leave home,
while others let you change your flight dates or add segments while you're
on the road. Be sure to check what rules apply to your air pass before
purchasing.
Who offers air passes?
Air
passes are offered by the three major airline alliances (Star Alliance,
Oneworld and SkyTeam), by individual airlines and occasionally by
third-party agencies. The alliances may be your best bet if you're
interested in doing extensive travel over a large region such as Africa or
Asia; if you're looking to focus on only one country or a smaller region
(such as Australia or Southeast Asia), you may do better to purchase a
pass from an individual airline serving that area.
When choosing your air pass, keep in mind any frequent flier programs that
you may already belong to. If you belong to a loyalty program for another
airline within the same alliance as the provider of your air pass, you may
be able to apply the miles accrued on your air pass toward that program.
Be sure to ask what restrictions may apply.
Who can purchase an air pass?
Air
passes are generally available only to travelers who live outside the
region in question -- so while North America air passes do exist, most of
them cannot be purchased by U.S. or Canadian citizens.
What other restrictions apply?
Many air passes must be purchased in conjunction with an international
flight to the region on the same airline (or a codeshare partner) as the
airline providing the pass. To prevent hassles, either purchase your
international ticket and your air pass at the same time or, if purchasing
separately, make sure to have the confirmation code for your international
ticket handy when you're booking your air pass -- that way the agent can
easily look up your existing reservation.
How do I book my air pass?
Due
to the complicated nature of ticketing and routing, most air passes can't
be booked online. You'll either have to call the provider directly or work
with a local travel agent.
Will an air pass always save
me money?
Don't assume that an air pass is your most affordable option. Before you
book, check out alternatives such as regular point-to-point tickets,
discounted airfare, and even local train or bus services.
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