Travelers and deal hunters have gotten another weapon in their arsenal to find the lowest price available for airfares. Veteran travel search engine Kayak has created Hacker Fares. While the name might spring to mind unsavory results, what Hacker Fares is really about is saving money by combining two one-way tickets into one round trip. Ideally, the result is an airfare lower than a traditional round-trip ticket. The move, if not the aim, is sure to raise eyebrows for travelers looking for the lowest possible price on any particular trip.
How do you book two flights?
Kayak is first and foremost a travel search engine, which means travelers looking to take advantage of Hacker Fares will have to head to different websites to book different tickets. Of course, anyone wanting to avoid the hassle of booking two different one-way flights will probably avoid the deals, unless the savings is too great to pass up.
Is this a new travel technique?
Folks have been booking two one-way tickets for a round-trip itinerary for a while. So while Kayak is pretty clever in automating the process and doing all the legwork for travelers, they are really taking the next logical step in a process rather than creating a new way to travel.
Is there any risk involved?
The real risk is that while booking the first leg of a trip, the second leg sells out, which can leave travelers searching for another departure. While travel agents could probably complete the booking, not all airlines work with every travel agent. Therefore, some risk is involved in Hacker Fares.
Is it worth it?
Just like any other travel deal, putting dollar value on ticket savings is difficult. Some folks want a certain time of day for a flight, and others want a certain airline. While Hacker Fare is not for anyone loyal to a specific airline, it has the potential to save on ticket costs. However, the program can also help minimize or erase layovers and other travel headaches, which makes it worth considering.
Will it save money on travel?
Since Hacker Fares was designed to save money, the answer is pretty much yes. However, how much money depends on the departure, date, arrival, etc. Aside from the variables that decide how much an airfare is, travelers will also want to keep an eye on the airlines they are booking. Airline fees, such as checked bag fees, are not standard across the industry, which means a $20 or $30 savings can be wiped out with a few pieces of luggage.
Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional with a decade of experience in the industry. He remains an avid traveler and hotel fan with exposure to technology and trends in properties across the United States.
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/hacker-fares-kayak-travelers-another-way-save-money-191900545.html
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