Senior Highlights....

FLYING FOR LESS:

SENIORS TAKE OFF

The next time you're on a flight, ask those seated nearby how much they paid for their tickets. You'll probably get many answers and many reasons. But you can bet the ones with the cheapest fares have good travel agents and explore all of their options before paying big bucks for airline tickets. For seniors, age can definitely be an additional advantage when taking off.

"One thing that improves with age--yours--is airfare," says Joan Rattner Heilman, in Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures That You absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (Contemporary Books, 312-782-9181). "You get these nice offers because you, the mature population, have proved to be the hottest travel market around, a vast and growing group of careful consumers with money in your pockets and time on your hands midweek and during the slack off-peak travel periods, just when the airlines are eager to fill up seats."

Finding the best ticket used to be a matter of looking at a few charts or advertisements to see how much each airline charged to get to your destination. Deregulation changed all of that, leading to generally lower fares and an often complicated search for getting the best deal.

Travel agents are now more important than ever in ferreting out the best deals in the air. Voit Gilmore, former president of the American Society of Travel Agents and the owner of a major travel agency, firmly believes airline passengers should use the services of a travel agent to get the best deal.

"Travel agents represent all of the airlines and are able to compare prices, packages, service, and much more," says Mr. Gilmore. "Their computers allow them to review all of the possibilities your schedule and budget allow."

Gilmore says travelers can help their travel agents find the best fare. "Travelers should try to be flexible, since flexibility will allow their travel agent to offer more choices. Let the agent know if you would accept any hour of the day, any day of the week, or perhaps even a different airport." Airports in southern California may have vastly different pricing scales, for instance.

Some seniors become frustrated by the great differences in price between destinations, times of day, and days of the week, but these differences are to a flexible senior's advantage. Gilmore explains, "Airlines have become very sophisticated in what they call 'yield management.' They have experts and computers that monitor sales for all of their flights and then juggle the mix of discount airfares that are available on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

"It is not uncommon to be quoted one fare one day and a much lower, or higher, fare the next," adds Gilmore. "Your travel agent, using a sophisticated computer system, can help you monitor the changes." Seniors can often take advantage of their flexibility.

Special discounts abound, but there is generally continuity concerning discount fares from each airline. Airlines will often, however, 'match' new lower rates offered by their competitors. That's where a travel agent can really help ferret out the best deal.

'Super Saver' fares are usually much cheaper than regular coach fares. Advance purchase tickets (from seven to 30 days) can save passengers more than 60%. Usually, you need to purchase a round-trip ticket and stay at least one Saturday night at your destination, with no longer than three weeks. 'Red-eye' flights are often popular for travelers-in-the-know. They are typically very late at night or early in the morning on popular business routes.

Many people also get low airfares by booking the rest of their travel plans at the same time. Packages can often include hotel accommodations and airfare that have a total price of less than airfare alone would have been. Most airlines, destinations, and resorts now offer complete packages. Travel agents can help you find these deals.

You should also always ask about special senior airfares and discounts (including other travel-related expenses). Most airlines have special programs for seniors and they can vary greatly. It never hurts to ask.

For instance, USAir has two special programs for anyone 62 or older. The USAir Senior Saver Fare can save you 10% on all USAir and USAir Express flights systemwide, except to or from selected foreign destinations. These savings even apply to their already-discounted fares. You can also bring along one companion of any age and save 10% of that person's fare as well. This plan has few limitations, but it does not apply to certain special fares, including government, military, children, joint, contract, and Visit USA fares.

USAir's Golden Opportunities Coupon Books offer another great way for seniors to save. Each coupon is valid for a one-way ticket on USAir or USAir Express between any two applicable cities (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands) or for a round-trip ticket between any two Florida cities. You can also use your coupons for grandchildren between the ages of 2 and 11 for travel with you.

Golden Opportunities coupons are valid for one year from the date of issuance and you must make your reservations at least 14 days prior to departure. Books of four coupons currently cost $596. Contact your travel agent or call USAir at 800-428-4322.

Most of the other airlines have similar coupon or discount programs. For further information, contact your travel agent or call: Air Canada, 800-776-3000; Air France, 800-237-2747; Air New Zealand, 800-262-1234; Alaska Airlines, 800-426-0333; Alitalia, 800-223-5730; America West, 800-247-5692; American Airlines, 800-237-7981; Australian Airways, 800-922-5122; British Airways, 800-876-1140; Canadian Airlines International, 800-426-7000; Continental Airlines, 800-441-1135; Delta Airlines, 800-221-1212; El Al, 800-223-6700 or 212-768-9200; Finnair, 800-950-5000; Hawaiian Air, 800-367-5320; Iberia, 800-772-4642; KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, 800-777-5553; Lufthansa, 800-645-3880; Mexicana, 800-531-7921; Midwest Express, 800-452-2022; Northwest Airlines, 800-225-2525; Sabena (Belgian World Airlines), 800-950-1000; SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), 800-221-2350; Southwest Airlines, 800-531-5601; Swissair, 800-221-4750; Tap Air Portugal, 800-221-7370; TWA, 800-221-2000; and United Airlines, 800-628-2868 or 800-633-6563.

"Always ask your travel agent or the reservations clerk to get you the lowest possible fare," says Ms. Rattner Heilman. "Mention the fact that you qualify for a senior discount, but be prepared to jump ship if you can get a better deal by going with a special promotional rate or supersaver fare."