We are fortunate to live in an age where long distance travel is affordable to many.  Without the airline industry, most of us could never have discovered Kalkan.

We take it for granted that we can go online and book a flight, within a matter of minutes.  But despite the fact that we can make our travel plans so easily, it can be annoying when we come up against baffling ticket pricing.

So why do prices vary so much, and how can you get the best deals?  This KTLN Kalkan guide to cheap travel, tries to shed some light on the subject.

The KTLN poll on fare prices
In September 2011 we ran a poll, where 270 KTLN members told us how much they paid for a return flight to/from Turkey.  You can see the chart, displaying the results here: KTLN news article. 

The average price paid was about £241.  When searching for flights we have found a difference of more than £1,000, between the cheapest and most expensive flights.  Why the variance?

Dynamic pricing
Many years ago, the cost of your flight ticket was strongly correlated to the distance of your journey.  However, this is now a relatively minor consideration.

Every single seat on a plane is "yield managed", to deliver the maximum return for the airline.  These days, this is done through complex computer models, which provide dynamic pricing, taking into account a whole host of factors, including the following:

• Competition on the route - what is being charged by other airlines on the same route?
• Demand for seats - monitored through data from booking websites, and travel agents.  The higher the demand, the higher the price.
• Availabilty of seats - monitored as above.   
• Distance travelled - the overall cost of making the journey is clearly a factor.
• Cost of fuel - a fluctuating variable cost, which may even lead to surcharges in some instances.

Dynamic pricing means that the price very rarely stays the same.  Computers using sophisticated algorithmic models, decide prices on a second by second basis.  As the variables change, so do ticket prices, which is one reason that you may get a different quote for the same flight, at different times during the day.

Web site cookies
Airlines are often accused of using 'cookies' on their web sites, to bump up prices when you show interest in a particular flight, by repeatedly checking it out.  Take a look at this report in the Guardian newspaper online.

A cookie is a piece of computer code that allows a web site to remember details about you.  (KTLN uses them so your log in details are remembered). 

The airlines have always denied using cookies to increase charges, but there are anecdotal stories circulating on the internet that suggest otherwise.  Some people, who are cynical about this, clear their cookies in their internet browser settings, to avoid being caught in the cookie trap!

But even if you put cookies to one side, it is undeniable that airlines do use technology in a smart way, when it comes to pricing tickets.  So with these complex computer models trying to get you to part with more of your hard earned cash, how can you play the game, and get the best price possible?  Here are 15 top tips from KTLN.

How to play the game and save money

1. Use price comparison web sites, such as Skyscanner, to search out good deals.  Competition is good for the consumer.

2. Sign up to receive emails from tour operators and airlines.  It can be a bit irritating getting lots of emails like this, but every now and again you may get lucky, and grab a bargain.

3. Be as flexible as you can on dates and flight times.  We know that for some of you, that may be easier said than done - for example, if you must travel at school holiday times.  Travelling at stupid o'clock often works out cheaper, than taking a flight at more reasonable hours.  Weekend flights can sometimes be more expensive, so consider mid-week flights, where available.

4. Get in early, as soon as flights for next season become available.  Watch out for announcements.  Generally speaking, prices tend to be cheaper when flight schedules are first released.

5. Consider whether it is cheaper to fly to/from another airport and get a cheap transfer - e.g. to go via Antalya instead of Dalaman.

6. Pay attention to the add ons that may bump up the price of your ticket.  Do you really need a meal on a 3 to 4 hour flight?  Can you bear to be sat apart from your partner/friend on the flight, rather than paying for the privilege of stting together?  Can you manage with a smaller baggage allowance?  Check out www.luggagelimits.com

7. And speaking of allowances, if you are close to, or slightly over your limit, in order to avoid surcharges, be prepared to take things out of your cases or hand luggage, and stick them in your pockets.  Small items can be stuffed into your clothes pockets temporarily, until you get air-side, when you can put them back in your hand luggage. 

If you want to maximise the amount you carry on your person, as opposed to putting it in a case or bag, you can buy special garments with lots of pockets to squirrel stuff away.  From a sartorial perspective however, it's not a good look!

For other airlines, you may find that paying by an Electron card does not attract a fee.  You can get an Electron card with the Halifax Easycash account, for example.  It's free to operate this account.

9. Does your airline offer a lower price if you check in online before turning up at the airport?  Something to check out.

10. Planning to drive to your local airport, and park your car?  You often find you can obtain cheaper parking charges if you book in advance.

11. Share an airport transfer.  For your journeys to and from the airports, consider using the TransferWithMe.com web site, which matches travellers who are happy to share the journey with fellow travellers, and share the costs.  It's also good for the environment, as fewer vehicle journeys are made.

As featured on BBC Click online, in January 2012!

12. Make use of duty free allowances.  If you can save money on goods that you would normally buy in your local shops, then it is perfectly logical to regard these savings as an off-set against your travel costs.

13. Having said that, do take care not to get stung with the cost of food and drink at airports.  Having a captive audience means that cafes and bars can, and do charge more than the going rate.  Consider eating before you get to the airport.

Remember that as a KTLN member, you qualify for discount on the Premium (CIP) Lounge and also the Airlet store, at Dalaman airport.  Check out KTLN Exclusive Offers

15. Remember, if you use your credit card to book a flight you have the additional peace of mind of knowing you will get your money back if the company goes bust.

And to make life easier for you, always check out the KTLN Flight & Travel Information page.  It's our most popular web page, because it's packed with useful, up to date information.  It includes a link to this KTLN guide, that you are currently reading.

And finally, don't forget, that at the end of the day, you will be visiting a very special place in Turkey.  Kalkan is worth all the time and effort you will go through, to make your travel arrangements to get here.

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