Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Share
RSS
Dear Jessica,
Have you heard of Save on Airfare Secrets, a guide to finding cheap airfares written by an ex-airline travel agent? I've seen it advertised online, and I'd like to know if it's for real before I buy it.
—M.W.
Dear M.W.,
You're not the first reader to ask whether "Save on Airfare Secrets" offers any legitimate advice or "secrets" on scoring dirt-cheap fares, as it claims to do. The loud, infomercial-style design of MyAirfareSecrets.com is probably enough to deter savvy shoppers from purchasing the guide, and after reading it, my advice is caveat emptor, or buyer beware. At best, the guide's advice is common knowledge; at worst, some of the suggestions are outdated, while other information is dubious enough to attract unwanted attention from the TSA.
It's worth noting that the "Save on Airfare Secrets" guide is not a physical book, but rather a 82-page PDF, only 47 pages of which are actually devoted to airfare tips. The remaining sections offer advice, such as it is, on airline seats, hotels, rental cars, and cruises. Due to copyright restrictions, I can't comment on specifics within the guide, but I'll share a few general examples for curious readers.
Part one of the four-part "book" is comprised of common-knowledge advice available for free here at SmarterTravel.com and many other travel websites. Among other things, it suggests purchasing tickets in advance, flying midweek, and booking online. Curiously, it also advises against booking directly with the airlines in favor of booking with third-party sites (that, as I've noted previously, charge booking fees of $2.99 to $12.99).
The second section details the benefits of specialty discounts, claiming that senior, military, and "family" airfares in particular are greatly reduced; a nice idea that is usually not true in reality. Particularly iffy is the claim that airlines offer lower prices for travelers who say they are headed to business meetings.
Part three is chock full of questionable information, including a description of what he calls security breaches in four major U.S. airports. Though he doesn't advise anyone to try bypassing security, I can't fathom why that information is included in this guide. For his part, the author told me he believes his information will ultimately "strengthen" airport security. Bereavement fares are also touted in part three, despite the fact that they are usually more expensive than regular fares, when they're available at all. (Editor's note: Since the original publication of this article on January 29, the author has changed the language in this section of his guide. This updated story reflects those changes.)
Part four includes a five-page plug to join a paid-membership organization that entitles you to discounts as if you were a travel agent. Such schemes were debunked by columnist Ed Perkins on SmarterTravel a few years ago. (When I asked, the author declined to reveal whether or not he derives any sort of financial compensation for sending his readers to the membership club.) Other advice in part four includes well-known information on bumping. Finally, the guide recommends a money-making scheme that sounds like you should run a mini import business as a way to off-set travel costs.
"Save on Airfare Secrets" is a perfect example of why you shouldn't believe everything you read. If you shell out $24.95 for this guide expecting little-known secrets, you'll most likely be disappointed, as most of the accurate advice is readily available through a quick Google search. After all, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, including a relatively inexpensive guide claiming it will save you thousands of dollars on travel.
Editor's note: The "Save on Airfare Secrets" guide is advertised on numerous travel websites, including this one. The editors of SmarterTravel.com operate independently of the company's sales and advertising departments.
