Travel experts reveal how to lower airfares and improve amenities

trip

by andrew coat

He no longer pleads for the fifth.

A travel expert has shared a hack for lowering airfares, saying Fifth Freedom Airlines tickets are often good value for money.

Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, revealed the secret in an interview with Travel & Leisure: “The Fifth Freedom Route opens up aviation just a little bit more to all of us.” he said.

A Fifth Freedom Flight is a route on which an airline from a particular country flies passengers between two other countries that are not connected to its home country.

For example, Emirates is based in the United Arab Emirates but offers fifth freedom flights between the United States and Italy, Spain and Mexico.

In another example, Australia-based Qantas is operating its fifth Freedom Flight from New Zealand to the United States.

One frequent flyer website has a complete list of airlines and available Fifth Freedom flights.

According to Condé Nast Traveler, Fifth Freedom tickets are often cheaper because it's a connecting flight, which means there may be empty seats on either leg for the airline to fill.

Additionally, the planes are often “much better” than those operated by local airlines.

“These routes are typically an extension of another long-haul flight, so they may be operated by much better (and larger) planes than those offered by local airlines,” the publication explains. “There may also be better food and more comfortable seating,” he said.

Additionally, Fifth Freedom Flights may offer additional points and upgrades.

Condé Nast Traveler says, “In order to fill seats on shorter legs with lower demand, airlines are releasing more award availability. This reduces the operating costs of adding a fifth Freedom Stop. We can afford it,” declared Condé Nast Traveler.

Potter agrees, saying, “The benefits are even greater for travelers who have credit card points or airline miles.”