Air tickets that are ultra cheap – are they worth getting?

We all want to travel without spending too much money, there's nothing wrong with that. The pursuit for cheap air tickets is shared by so many people that there's nothing to be ashamed of when shopping around for tickets online. However, there are reasonable limits to how cheap the tickets can be, which are defined not by the economical possibility of buying cheap air tickets but by the quality of service you get for your money. In this sense the pursuit for extra cheap air tickets can actually result in very unpleasant situations and far more compromises than you are ready to make in the first place. Telling if going cheap is really worth the effort and when you just have to stop is something most people want to know. The first thing you probably do when looking for cheap air tickets is early booking, and that's a very good idea. Early booking is definitely the easiest way to get affordable fares for virtually any flight. The earlier you book the better are the savings. But this may not always be the case with your trip, since booking several months in advance may simply be not your story. What if it's an emergency trip or a business meeting that was decided only several days in advance? The possibility of an early booking would certainly be excluded by that. As it is the best way to get cheap air tickets without having to sacrifice anything you should still do it if you do have the time to book in advance. The second most common solution for buying cheap air tickets is using discounter airlines. These are present virtually all over the globe, servicing most major domestic and international routes. Discounter airlines have earned their nickname due to the lower overall price of their fares compared to traditional airlines, and that's exactly what most travelers are attracted by. However, when you check the details, things turn not as bright as you would expect. The level of comfort is usually inferior on discounter flights, all services such as meals, drinks and luggage are subject to extra fees, the flight timing can also be inconvenient. And as a result you end up paying a bit less and sacrificing a great degree of comfort that is taken for granted with traditional airlines. Of course, it's up to you do decide whether this is acceptable or not, but in many cases there's a significant tradeoff when dealing with discounter airlines. And of course, it's hard to overlook the practice of connected flights, odd flight timing and alternative airports, often suggested by saving tip experts. It's true that choosing connected flights over direct flights can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars, especially if it's an international flight. Alternative airports may also prove to be an affordable solution if you're departing from an area with several airports. And odd flight times during the nights and on low days can surely get the air ticket cost low. But is it really worth it? Imagine spending 12+ hours with several connected flights instead of 3 hours with a direct route. Or having to drive 50 miles just to get to an alternative airport. And are you so eager to stay up all night just to take that early morning flight? In cases like these there's an immense degree of discomfort involved that is rarely taken into account before you actually make the trip. However, when you have to deal with it there are more implications than just the cost of your trip. Spending all day running between connected flights or choosing late/early flights will seriously deteriorate your productivity, which is especially crucial during business trips. And even if it's a leisure trip, are you really eager to spend the next couple of days getting back to norm after your tedious long flight? Certainly not! That's exactly when cheap air tickets aren't worth the effort they require.