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About Rick Seaney, CEO FareCompare

Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com - is a world-class air travel expert.

FareCompare.com presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software that searches out fares and destinations at a billion combinations per query - while keeping track of 500 airlines serving more than 270,000 markets around the globe.

And all of Rick's data is updated continuously - in real-time.

No wonder he's the media's go-to guy for all things air travel. He's got the answers. And he loves to share his knowledge.

That's why Rick and the team created FareCompare.com - to help everyone become an air travel expert, and get the best deals first -- every time they fly.

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Zagat’s Latest Airline Survey: Something for Everyone

November 24, 2008 | Posted in: Airline News,Favorites | 4 comments

The folks that take the Zagat surveys are all over the map when it comes to airlines — but then I suppose, so are the categories.

These are my personal favorites among categories:

  • Best Value for the Money (domestic): Southwest
  • Best Value for the Money (international): Continental

Other “bests”?: JetBlue won for best inflight entertainment — domestic. while Virgin Atlantic took the honors for international entertainment. And Midwest was deemed best midsize domestic premium seating.

See all the categories and winners, right here.

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Money Back When Flight Price Drops

November 24, 2008 | Posted in: Airfare News,Airline News | 4 comments

Last week, reader Marilyn saw the airline ticket she purchased this summer go down in price, and I suggested some options on how she might still be able to save some money or even make up the difference in the two fares in the form of a voucher.

I want to dive into those options a bit deeper today.

For domestic airline tickets, the prevailing charge to change a ticket is $150; called the “change fee”. This fee is part of the rules of your airfare. However, there is a process, sometimes called a “rollover,” which addresses ticket prices going down on a flight (same flight) that you have already already purchased. In such cases, there are often special rules outside of the “change fee” — allowing you to typically get a voucher for the difference (you have to contact the airline, because they do not do it automatically).

Unfortunately, this “feature” on airlines that have it, is not easy to find on their websites so we did a bit of digging and found the following:

  • Alaska Airlines has no fee for same flight price drops (we couldn’t find an online link but spoke with a couple of reps, evidently it is built into their online ticket change tool)
  • American Airlines doesn’t have anything special for price drops outside of same day of purchase, the normal change fee applies
  • Continental Airlines doesn’t have anything special for price drops outside of same day of purchase, the normal change fee applies
  • Delta Air Lines1 doesn’t have anything special for price drops outside of same day of purchase, the normal change fee applies
  • JetBlue has no fee for same flight price drops (we couldn’t find an online link, but spoke with a couple of reps. Use their online change tool, or give them a call)
  • Northwest Airlines offers vouchers for flight price drops, and according to reps charges a fee of $50 for the process.
  • Southwest Airlines has no fee for same flight price drops (built into their online ticket change tool)
  • United Airlines2 has no fee for same flight price drops as long as flight meets listed criteria.
  • US Airways doesn’t have anything special for price drops outside of same day of purchase, the normal change fee applies

1Under FAQ — “If I have purchased a ticket and a new fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit?”

2Under customer service FAQ. Go to “Existing Reservations,” then “If I have purchased a ticket and a new, lower fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit?”

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Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for FareCompare.com?

November 24, 2008 | Posted in: Deals,Tips and Tricks | 0 comments

FareCompare.com hasn’t gotten an official “seal of approval”, but we have been included in a new book by the editors of Good Housekeeping, and I couldn’t be more delighted.

And I don’t think the timing for this book could be better: it’s called “Good Deals & Smart Steals” and it’s all about a matter close to my heart – saving money.

This is from a review of the book in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch online:

“Here’s another savings for traveling: If you want to keep up with the latest airfares or know when a price drops to a level you’d like, sign up for e-mail alerts. Farecompare.com e-mails prices on flights between any two cities you choose. The alerts are sent up to four hours before fares are published online or to agents.” -Good Housekeeping’s “Good Deals & Smart Steals”

Sounds like this could make a great stocking-stuffer…

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WHY Must We Take Off Our Shoes? TSA Explains (Sort of) on Video

November 21, 2008 | Posted in: DOT,Security,Travel Safety | 0 comments

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) in concert with the Ad Council has produced a series of videos called “Why” that attempt to explain why the TSA has the rules that they do (and you can see the videos here).

One video asks: Why do we have to remove our shoes? Answer: because the X-ray machines that scan our carry-on bags can detect bombs hidden in shoes -the implication being that walk-through scanners cannot detect such things – though it’s never stated.

Another video attempts to answer this question: Why we are limited to just 3 ounces of liquid? The response is less satisfying: the TSA “worked with scientists…to develop a formula that made it safe to bring liquids onboard in limited quantities.” Doesn’t tell you a whole, whole lot.

This is a step in the right direction, I think — and I applaud this effort at trying to demystify the security process – but I’d clap a little louder if the TSA could be a bit more transparent.

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Delta to Keep All Hubs – Yet Plans Further Capacity Cuts (???)

November 21, 2008 | Posted in: Airline News,Delta,Forecast,Northwest,Passengers | 0 comments

Something doesn’t quite compute here.

The president of the “new” Delta (new and huge, since its merger with Northwest) says, yes, it will keep all seven of its hubs — Detroit, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York JFK and Salt Lake City.

And the Detroit Free Press goes on to quote Ed Bastian as saying, “We’ve already paid for [the hubs]; they are ours.”

But at the same time, over at the Dallas Morning News, reporter Terry Maxon points out that Delta is still cutting capacity – and may well do more in 2009 than the airline had previously planned.

It will be interesting to see if in fact they can hang on to all those hubs.

Looking further ahead: Delta plans to make 50% of its routes international flights – by the year 2010. In the meantime, there’s still 2009 to get through.

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Five DO’S and DON’TS for Thanksgiving Airport Survival

November 21, 2008 | Posted in: Holiday Travel,Tips and Tricks | 1 comment

Yes, it probably will be a little less congested in the nation’s airports this year – but face it, a crowd is still a crowd – and Thanksgiving is always the busiest air travel time of the year, so it will be mobbed.

And you have to plan accordingly.

I’ve listed five “do’s and don’ts” that will make your airport experience as smooth as possible. And yes, some of these are golden-oldies – you’ve heard them before – but this time, follow the advice. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

Five DO’S and DON’TS for Thanksgiving Airport SURVIVAL

1. DO – Get to the Airport Early. This is especially important if you’re flying out the Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving – or the Sunday after.

  • SURVIVAL TACTIC: Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights, and 3 hours before international flights during “peak travel times”: 6am to 9 am, 11am to 2pm, and 7pm to 10pm.

2. DON’T – Drive Yourself to the Airport. It’s not about saving gas, it’s about finding a parking space – don’t waste valuable time looking for one in that huge long-term lot.

  • SURVIVAL TACTIC: Take mass transit, carpool, taxi, or bribe a neighbor to drive you.

3. DO – Bring the Fun Stuff. If you arrive in plenty of time or run into delays, you (and especially the kids) will need a diversion; think movies on laptops, electronic games, and best of all – a good book.

  • SURVIVAL TACTIC: Be sure to charge all batteries completely the night before (and that goes for your cell phone battery, too).

4. DON’T – Break the TSA Rules. You know all this – no liquids or gels larger than 3oz - don’t delay yourself and others by forgetting at such a crucial time.

  • SURVIVAL TACTIC: Use the new “family lanes” at security checkpoints if you’re traveling with your tribe.

5. DO – Set Airline Alerts Before You Leave. Go on your airline’s website and sign up for “alerts” so you’ll be notified of any delays. NOTE: Even if you’ve been notified of a 3 hour delay, get to the airport at the scheduled departure time anyway; if the delay only lasts an hour, that plane will take off – with you or without you. And if there is a long delay, at least you’ll be psychologically prepared for it.

  • SURVIVAL TACTIC: Be sure the person picking you up is also signed up for these alerts; no sense having Grandpa waiting around the airport for hours.

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Inauguration 2009: Southwest Adds More Flights to/from DC

November 21, 2008 | Posted in: News,Southwest | 0 comments

As you know, an estimated 4 million people are expected to descend on Washington for the inauguration of Barack Obama.

Now Southwest has announced it’s adding 26 flights in and out of Washington Dulles and Baltimore airports. The new flights will be taking off between Jan.17 and Jan. 23.

According to a Southwest spokesman, their flights were filling up, so they decided to pile a few more on – to satisfy customer demand.

Keep reading for a list of the new flights…

Inauguration 2009: Southwest Adds More Flights to/from DC

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Okay, We Heard You! US Airways Returns Perks to Elite Fliers

November 20, 2008 | Posted in: Frequent Flyer,US Airways | 1 comment

I guess they got tired of all the screaming.

However, a US Airways official says the decision to reverse themselves and restore its bonus miles as well as the “500 mile minimum” for short hops – was merely prompted by “customer feedback”.

And mind you, it’s only being restored to the airline’s top-tier frequent fliers – though it is retroactive – which is a nice touch.

This announcement comes in the wake of first Continental’s, then United’s decision to restore that 500 mile minimum perk.

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updated: 2008-11-20T17:59:03+00:00