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Affordable Travel: Airpasses

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It's no secret that flying today can be costly, especially when multiple destinations are involved. Here, a collection of money-saving passes for air travel around the globe.

NOTE: Travelers must redeem individual "coupons" for each leg of their trip.

Africa

Oneworld Visit Africa Pass

Participating Airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, JAL Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian Airlines
Travel To: Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Details: Providing service to seven cities in four countries, travelers can take as many flights as they'd like (with a minimum of two flights).
Pros: The "open-dated" option allows for flexible travel dates and times for any flights, once you've confirmed the first destination for your trip.
Cons: Travelers must make reservations by phone through a travel agent, or a oneworld carrier.
Average Savings: Savings vary.
For More Info: www.oneworld.com

Asia

Discovery Airpass

Participating Airlines: Bangkok Airways, Siem Reap Airways International, and Lao Airlines
Travel To: Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
Details: With the Discovery Airpass, fliers can purchase between 3-6 coupons, which are valid for two months after the date of the first flight.
Pros: Flexibility. Once the first flight is booked, travelers can use their coupons to purchase tickets whenever they're ready to move on to the next location, instead of booking all at once.
Cons: Only one stopover allowed per city.
Average Savings: 30 percent.
For More Info: www.bangkokair.com

Europe

Skyteam Europe Pass

Participating Airlines: Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, KLM Dutch Airlines, and Air Europa
Travel To: 44 countries throughout Europe
Details: Available to all travelers flying round–trip to Europe. Travelers must purchase a minimum of three coupons and can visit each city no more than twice.
Pros: Travelers need only book the first European leg of their trip before flying; they can book the rest at their leisure.
Cons: If a transfer requires a change in airline, travelers must use an additional coupon.
Average Savings: Savings vary.
For More Information: www.skyteam.com

Middle East

Arabian Airpass

Participating Airlines: Emirates
Travel To: Alexandria, Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Sana'a, and Tehran
Details: With the Arabian Airpass, travelers can fly to over 13 cities in the Middle East; coupons are valid for three months from departure date.
Pros: For most flights, reservations can be changed with no charge.
Cons: No additional airlines for travelers to choose from.
Bonus Feature: For travelers planning to spend more than 14 days abroad, Emirates can assist travelers in obtaining a "visit visa" (also known as tourist visa) for Dubai ($55).
Average Savings: Up to 30 percent.
For More Info: www.emirates.com

North America

SkyTeam America Pass

Participating Airlines: Aeromexico, Continental, Delta, and Northwest
Travel To: Anywhere within the continental United States, Mexico, and Canada
Details: Available with the purchase of the SkyTeam Round-the-World ticket or a round-trip transatlantic, transpacific, or intercontinental ticket on any SkyTeam carrier's flight. Travelers may purchase 3-10 coupons, which are valid for 60 days.
Pros: Two stopovers per city
Cons: Alaska and Hawaii are not eligible states for travel
Average Savings: Savings vary.
For More Info: www.skyteam.com

South America

South America Pass

Participating Airlines: Aerolineas Agentinas
Travel To: Any country in South America; travelers must choose at least two, but no more than five.
Details: The South America Pass offers up to 10 flight coupons, and allows two stopovers in Argentina and one in other countries.
Pros: All rates are calculated based on the number of miles flown; with increased distances come increased savings.
Cons: No additional airlines for travelers to choose from.
Average Savings: Savings vary.
For More Info: www.aerolineas.com

South Pacific

Air New Zealand South Pacific Airpass

Participating Airlines: Air New Zealand
Travel To: 36 locations in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific
Details: Available to non-residents of New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Norfolk, Samoa, Rarotonga and Tahiti
Pros: Travelers can purchase 2-10 coupons prior to arrival; up to 10 additional coupons may be purchased thereafter.
Cons: No stopovers permitted.
Average Savings: Savings vary.
For More Information: www.airnewzealand.com

—Reported by Josh Pramis and Charlotte Savino

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