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September 10, 2008
Think about it... "Low
Season"
As trip planners, we get accustomed to doing our "annual" mission trip at the same time each year. Maybe this is because the nationals we work with need it to be in the summer months or the bulk of our team is affected by schedules during the school year. Take a minute and think about it.
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Think about lower fares
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Think about less flight delays
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Think about planes that are less crowded
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Think about having the schedule you prefer instead of the schedule you were stuck with last year due to availability
All these things can potentially take place if you plan your trip in "low season." Typically, you can get the best fares if your trip departs in late September/October/early November or if you plan your trip for late January - March, excluding weekends in March due to Spring breaks. These months are considered
"low season" and the fares are sometimes half of what you will pay if you travel during the summer months.
Other things to consider, of course, are the cities you will transit through on the way to your final destination. Whenever possible, avoid cities that have severe winter weather. This will help reduce the chances of flight cancellations or delays due to the snow. As always, the key to finding the lowest possible airfare is by planning ahead. We at Ministry Travel will be happy to help you find dates that will work for you and your team.
Recruiting Mission Teams - Strategy #1
If you are like many team leaders, mobilizing enough people for your trips is a struggle. It is tough getting people to volunteer half way around the world. You can overcome some of this hurdle if you utilize your current team as a recruiting force for future trips.
Strategy #1 - Expand Your Prayer Team
Besides the obvious benefits of more prayer, each prayer warrior becomes a prospective team member. As these people pray for your work, their hearts are stirred for your mission. Grow your prayer team by asking people to sign a prayer commitment. It may be a piece of paper distributed by team members or it may be a form on a website, but signing encourages follow-through. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to capture names and e-mail addresses. These should be some of the first people you contact for your next trip.
In this newsletter we’re introducing the first of five strategies for easier and more successful mission team recruiting. Look for additional strategies in upcoming newsletters from Ministry Travel!
More Airlines Charging
'First-Checked-Bag-Fees'
Continental Airlines recently joined the ranks of other major carriers by announcing a fee for the first bag economy passengers check. The $15 will not apply to full-fare economy travelers, EliteAccess customers, OnePass Elite and SkyTeam Elite members. The fee is effective immediately on domestic travel and on October 7, 2008 on international travel.
Other major carriers with a fee include American Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Northwest. So far, Delta Air Lines has not instituted such a charge.
Airline fees can have a major impact on total travel costs. Thoughtful trip planning is your best defense against these surcharges.
Your Ministry Travel consultant can offer advice on avoiding or minimizing airline fees.
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