Airlines traditionally do not cater to weddings. But recently, airlines have realized the potential in weddings to expand their client base. If the wedding of a friend or a family is held in a far away place, one most likely needs to book a flight.
Air travel and weddings have worked hand in hand to cater to a growing market of wedding travelers, particularly honeymooners who want a stress-free travel not only for themselves but for their family and friends who will attend their wedding as well. Hence, wedding travel programs came about.
Airlines heeded the call of the couples and came up with means to facilitate wedding travel. They also learned how to facilitate the wedding itself such as offering group discounts, online registries and other promotions. Wedding travel promos are a way for airlines to attract more passengers. Wedding travel could cater to a wedding celebration, an after-wedding party or a commitment ceremony.
The first airline to offer a wedding travel program was American Airlines. They recognized that weddings are a reality of life. People travel to get to their loved ones’ weddings. That is why they offer wedding travel packages to friends and families of the couple.
Wedding Travel Packages
Wedding Travel packages offered by airlines take many forms. For instance, some airlines offer a Wedding Travel or Meeting program where customers can avail from five to ten percent discounts on their fares for a group of 10 or more passengers on their way to a wedding or meeting or company affair. These passengers need not have similar itineraries or may not come from similar origin cities but they can avail of the discount as long as the destination is the same.
American Airlines Wedding Travel program, Hawaiian Airlines and US Airways are some of the airlines that provide discounts. They not only provide five percent off published fares but also an additional five percent discount if the group books in advance. American Airlines requires an advanced booking of at least 30 days while US Airways requires 60 days to be able to avail of the additional five percent discount on fares.
Since weddings are often planned and announced by the couple a year or several months before the actual date, friends and family would not have any trouble booking in advance. The bride and groom should arrange for a group discount to be able to avail. However, even if the couple did not pre-arrange a discount for the wedding travel, it is still possible to avail of the discount by traveling together in a group.
Southwest provides a Group Program for a group of 10 or more passengers. If you have a date, inquire at the airline if they offer companion fares. JetBlue airline offers a special price for two or more people traveling together.
Group rates might be convenient but it is not necessarily the cheapest way to travel. It is important to compare fare types before booking to be able to save. It is also good to compare fares offered by airlines. If one cannot find a cheap flight, frequent flyer miles could be used to be able to avail of discounts.
The good thing about paying cheaper fares is you get to spend the money for other things such as accommodation or having a wonderful time at your vacation even if it is just a day or two. You could use it to buy that bag or piece of jewelry you always hanker for. Or, you could afford a more expensive wedding gift for your friend or family. That is why finding ways to save on travel costs is important.
Destination Weddings
According to the executive editor of the Knot, Rosie Amodio, "10 percent of weddings are now destination events, and as they're often planned during holiday weekends or peak travel times, they're expensive." The best way to afford a destination wedding is for the guest or party to book early. That would also assure that you will not be able to mis the wedding due to lack of seats if you book at the last minute or near the wedding date.
The couple can choose hundreds of destinations worldwide in which to hold their wedding. It could be as near as another US city or as far as Asia, Europe, Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Wedding travel programs offered by airlines often cover all these destinations.
Those availing of the Wedding Event Travel can also take advantage of self-service check-in for large parties and groups. American Airlines offer this perk to group travels. This could save the group a lot of time queuing up in check-in lines in airports all over the United States.
Some Wedding travel programs partner with rent-a-car companies to be able to further facilitate their clients’ travel. These rent-a-car companies offer discounts to those who avail of the wedding travel program.
Passengers who avail of wedding travel programs can also use it them to accumulate additional frequent flyers miles on their flights. This, of course, will translate to rewards and other perks such as free travel to the passengers.
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