Friday, February 8, 2008

International Air Travel


Types of trips and searches

EZ Search offers you several search options. Click an option at the top of the Flight Search page, or a link in the left column to select the type of search you want to conduct.

1. Roundtrip means you will fly from one location to another, and then back to the first location.
2. One way means you will fly from one location to another, and will not return to the first location.
3. Different Return To/From Airport? means you can select either to return to an airport different from the one you started from (i.e. you start from New York, arrive in Paris and then return from Paris to Boston ) or return from a different airport (start from New York arrive in Paris and then return from Frankfurt to New York).
4. Flexible dates allows you to select a range for either your start date, return date or both. Lessno will search fares which meet your criteria.


Save 50% on international flights with Lessno


Types of travelers

You will need to supply the number of travelers in each age category. You can include up to nine travelers per trip. Lessno uses the following age categories:

1. Seniors are travelers ages 65 and older.
2. Adults are travelers ages 18 through 64.
3. Children are travelers ages 2 through 11.
4. Lessno will not sell tickets to unaccompanied children less than 8 years old.
5. Infants are children under age 2. Each traveler age 12+ may accompany up to two infants in their own seats or one infant in the traveler's lap.

If you are traveling with an infant, you have the following seating options:

1. laps—Choose this option if travelers (must be age 12+) in your party will hold the infant(s) throughout the flight. Please note that while infants in laps usually ride for free on domestic flights, a fee is charged on most international flights.
2. seats—Choose this option if you wish to book a separate seats for the infants. You will be required to supply an infant car seat to ensure the infant's safety. The car seat must meet airline specifications. Seats reserved for infants may be billed at special infant fares. Please check with the carrier for more information.

Many airlines welcome unaccompanied minors on their flights. Learn about airlines’ policies for unaccompanied minors.

Unaccompanied minors

Many airlines welcome unaccompanied minors on their flights. To ensure a safe, comfortable, and fun trip for unaccompanied minors, you should call the airline to discuss its policies and services.

Here are some rules of thumb about unaccompanied minors:

1. Please be sure to check with your airline for specific policies and fees.
2. Minors who are old enough (approximately ages 5-17 depending on airline) can usually fly on nonstop, direct, or connecting flights, but usually are not accepted on the last connecting flight of the day. The age depends on the airline's policies, so please check with the airline.
3. Many airlines provide (or require) supervision service for minors from the time of boarding until the time the minor is met at the final destination. This is called unaccompanied minor service. Minors must be approved by the airline for this service.
4. Younger children (typically under the age of 5) are often not eligible for unaccompanied minor service and must be accompanied on the same flight and in the same compartment by an older passenger (typically 15 years or older).
5. Unaccompanied minor service is often mandatory for children ages 5-14*, but optional for teenagers (ages 15-17). Age requirements depend on which airline they fly.
6. A fee is usually charged at check-in for unaccompanied minor service. Expect to pay $30 or more each way.
7. With unaccompanied minor service, the airline will usually want to know who is meeting the minor at the destination. Proof of identification for the receiving adult is often required. Forgetting this required identification can cause unpleasant delays so make sure you know the airline's expectations.
8. Reservations usually need to be confirmed for all segments of the minor's flight. Standby reservations are not allowed on any leg of the trip.
9. Again, please call the airline prior to purchasing tickets and inquire about unaccompanied minors.

Infant, child, and senior discounts

Many airlines offer discounted fares for infants, children, and seniors. Discounts vary by airline, flight, and seat availability. They also vary by travelers' ages.

Choosing a ticket class

In addition to Economy class seating, many flights offer Business, and/or First Class seating. Please note that the following descriptions are generalizations; some airlines may use different names to describe their classes of service.

1. Coach/Economy class class seating is in the main cabin area. These seats are usually the least expensive.
2. Business class seating--when available--tends to feature roomier seats that recline farther, more leg room, and upgraded meal service. Other perks can include shorter lines at check-in and use of the airline's airport business lounge. Business class tickets cost more than Coach/Economy but less than First Class. (Note that when searching for business class fares, first class fares may be shown if business class fares are not available).
3. First class seating is usually in the cabin area nearest the front of the aircraft. It has the fewest and most comfortable seats, and offers upgraded meals. Other perks can include shorter lines at check-in and use of the airline's airport business lounge. First Class fares are almost always the most expensive, and are not available on all aircraft.

Choosing search option

To restrict your roundtrip, one-way, or multiple-destination search, select one or more of the following options. Doing so may reduce the number of lower-fare flights displayed.

1. Non stop flights only - Check this box if you want to see fares only for flights that do not stop or change planes at one or more airports before you reach your final destination.
2. 1 stop flights - Check this box if you want to see fares only for flights that do have maximum one stop or change of planes each way at one or more airports before you reach your final destination.
3. 2+ stop flights only - Check this box if you want to see all fares no matter how many stops or plane changes are done before you reach your final destination.

Using convenient e-tickets

E-tickets, now offered by many major airlines, allow you to travel without a paper ticket, eliminating the worry of leaving your tickets behind. Lessno offers e-tickets when they are available. We usually won't be able to determine whether e-tickets are available on flights until you make specific flight selections.

If you purchase an e-ticket, you will receive an e-mail that includes your itinerary information and confirmation numbers. When you check in for your flight, give the ticket agent your name, flight number, a government-issued photo ID, and a paper copy of your itinerary or purchase receipt. Some airlines also require that you show the credit card used to purchase your ticket.

Customer support

With Lessno, you're guaranteed customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week via live chat, phone and e-mail. You can use our email address customer_care@lessno.com to send us e-mail for help at any time. You can also find our number on the Contact Us page via a link at the bottom of our site. If you have any questions or concerns about your itinerary, our service representatives will be ready to assist you.
Billing and ticket delivery

Is my credit card number safe?

Payments made through Lessno.com are operated by Secure Payments Service providers. They encrypt customers' credit or debit card information and authorize payment directly. This means that customers’ credit card details are never revealed to us. All information is encrypted and transmitted via secure connection.

Why doesn't Lessno accept my credit card?

For your protection, Lessno requires the billing address for ticket delivery to be the same address where the bill for your credit card is sent each month. When you enter your credit card and billing information, please make sure the address and ZIP or postal code are correct. Also, address verification isn't available for certain types of debit cards. In this case, simply enter another valid credit card and billing address.

Do I always have to use the same credit card?

No, you can use as many different credit cards as you wish. For example, you can store the information of the credit cards you use most frequently so you don't have to type the credit card information every time you use it.

If you wish to use a card you haven't stored, you can still use a different credit card in the Billing page. This will allow you to use a new credit card for this transaction, but it won't remove the original credit cards from our files unless you check the Remember this credit card for future use box when you use this new credit card.

How will my flight tickets be delivered?

If you choose the e-ticket option and e-tickets are available, you will receive an e-mail that includes your itinerary information and confirmation numbers. You will not receive paper confirmation, receipt, or tickets. When you check in for your flight, give the ticket agent your name and flight number, or provide a printed copy of your itinerary. You must always provide a government-issued photo ID.

If you do choose to receive paper tickets, or if the e-ticket option is unavailable for your flight, you will receive paper airline tickets via express mail delivery. A shipping and handling fee will be included with all other charges on the Billing and Delivery Information page, and is applied to your credit card (or invoice) at the time of purchase.

What if my tickets are lost or stolen?

In most cases, the airlines require you to purchase replacement tickets at “today’s” fare. If your original tickets are not used after a designated period of time - generally 3 to 4 months, depending on the airline—you will receive a credit for the purchase price of the replacement tickets, less the application fee. This fee varies by airline, but is typically $100.00 per traveler. Please note that these policies and fees are subject to change at any time.

Each airline has its own rules and policies for issuing replacement tickets. Lessno is bound by these rules and policies and must adhere to them.

Why did the fare change at purchase time?

Lessno.com uses a real-time reservation database, the same used by travel agents worldwide, listing actual ticket prices and availability. As airlines fill flights or change fares, the database immediately reflects those changes. Always be sure to double-check prices when reserving or purchasing tickets, as the fare may have changed since you first searched for fares or created your itinerary.

What if I need to change my flight arrangements?

If you need to change your flight arrangements less than 24 hours before the flight, call Lessno at the telephone number listed in the Contact Us section of the site.

Changing or canceling a flight

If your travel plans change and you need a different flight, you might be able to change your flight times, dates, and/or destination depending on the rules and restrictions for the ticket(s) you have purchased . Most airlines do not allow changes to traveler name(s) on a ticket.

Most tickets are non refundable. If you no longer need a flight, or if you are unsure of your travel plans, then you should cancel your flight by calling us at the phone number in your confirmation e-mail.

Penalties

Most fares have an airline-imposed fee ranging $100-$300 per passenger for changes and cancellations, plus any applicable increase in the fare. We will provide a comprehensive summary of all charges before you change or cancel your flight. A Lessno cancelation/change fee ranging $50-$100 per ticket will apply in addition to any airline fees.

On what airlines can I purchase e-tickets?

E-tickets are currently offered by most major airlines, but not necessarily for every flight. Certain flights--such as those that are handled by more than one airline--may require paper tickets.

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