First Class Airfare: Dinner Ah, food. There is nothing better than a luxurious meal. And on a first class airfare trip, you’re sure to get your fill with these amazing meals, complete with dessert: • American: Filet mignon, paella or lamb in rosemary sauce, with vanilla flan and while chocolate mousse for dessert. • United: Citrus sesame chicken with rice, and ice cream sundaes with works for dessert. • Delta: Five course meal with ice cream sundaes with works for dessert. • Continental: Porcini mushroom veal chops and roasted veggies with ice cream sundaes and works for dessert. • Virgin: Selection of 23 different menu items, with petit desserts such as cheesecake. • Singapore: Lobster, steak, lamb or a barramundi fillet, with health sweets for dessert.

First Class Airfare: ‘Other’ Perks There are a myriad of other things first class airfare passengers receive on their trip; here is a mélange of most interesting: • American: Free champagne, a personal TV and DVD player, and noise erasing headsets. • United: Free Dom and scotch, a personal TV, and an inflatable seat that gives back massages. • Delta: An amazing free wine selection, video games, and a self-service snack bar. • Virgin: Free vodka or cognac, play Nintendo games, in-flight massages and manicures, and a free limousine service.

Lowest Airfare Technique #2: Bid Online services like Priceline can be risky. However, if you are willing tradeoff of ‘maybe’ getting a ticket with some amazing deals, it’s a great route to go. The idea behind these types of companies is that you post a bid on their web site for lowest price you are willing to pay for airfare. Then, you wait. Once you’ve bid, its set in stone; if someone accepts bid, you are required to follow through. If no one does, then you’re off hook (although also without your lowest airfare!). I would recommend this option only to people who have highly flexible itineraries.

Lowest Airfare Technique #3: Special Offer Pages Every airline has a ‘special offers’ page on their web site. Do you check them out regularly for lowest airfare deals or at all before booking a flight? If you bookmark all of airlines catering to your geographic area, and any areas that you plan on traveling to, many of these ‘special fares’ will be better (in most cases, much better) than any search engine lowest airfare peek-a-boo that you do. There are several finer points to watch with these lowest advertised airfares, though; look for hidden charges, read fine print, make note of any restrictions, and take action quickly (because most of these special offers are a limited time only).