Airlines' group rates may make sense

05-19-2002

Planning an airline trip with friends, family or business associates? Significant savings may be available if you and at least nine other passengers can travel on the same flight.

Business meetings, weddings, bar mitzvahs, reunions, sports trips, joint vacations; there are numerous reasons small groups might want to travel together.

If 10 or more passengers can fly on the same flight, they qualify for special group rates. Other group programs establish special rates for passengers flying from different destinations to attend a specific event, such as a wedding or major convention.

In either case, most domestic and international airlines still offer group discounts that are often 10 percent to 20 percent lower than individual discount fares. Specific savings and details vary from carrier to carrier, flight to flight, even day to day, but in general, the requirements are the same.

Also, given all the promotional offers around these days, it is important to note that group fares are not always the lowest fare available. Some reservation agents will advise you whether another fare makes more sense.

Carriers generally require advance reservations of 14 to 21 days for group bookings, and some offer extra discounts if tickets are purchased at least 60 days prior to the date of travel. Some programs provide extra flexibility for last minute changes and passenger substitutions.

As far as the trip itself goes, everything is about the same for the group passengers as for individual travelers. Group passengers are issued a ticket in their own name and earn frequent-flier mileage. Tickets can even be charged to each traveler's credit card. Passengers can arrive at the airport as a group or check in individually. Groups can sit together on the plane, but it is not guaranteed or required.

Larger groups can qualify for additional benefits, especially as their ranks swell. These can range from several free tickets (often one free ticket for every 20 purchased) and even transportation to and from a place for advance site inspections. Organizations and business groups can get customized materials to promote their events, as well as discounts for shipping materials to it. Wedding parties can receive special invitation inserts to advise guests of the discount fare.

Group fares and tickets can be obtained by contacting the airlines directly by phone or online.

US Airways, for example, offers discounted group fares that can be planned and booked online. Visit http://www.usairways.com/travel/group or 877-US-GROUPS (874-7687) to get more information or to register your event.

Finally, the US Airways Web site system is designed to make it easy for individuals and smaller groups to organize their own travel. For larger groups, however, the knowledge, negotiating skills and other savvy services of a good travel agent will expedite and enhance the process.

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