MUSCAT: With the summer school vacations coming to an end, students in the Sultanate of Oman are heading back to school. For travel operators, including airlines, this marks the start of a lean travel period that lasts until the year-end, just before the winter travel season kicks off in early December. During this off-peak time, airlines are eager to fill seats, often resorting to promotional fares and flash sales to attract passengers.
In recent weeks, Oman Air and SalamAir, have rolled out discounted fares starting from September. Several foreign airlines operating out of Muscat have also jumped on the bandwagon, offering promotional fares to lure travelers.
But are these enticing offers really as good as they seem, and can travel enthusiasts truly benefit from these low fares if they book in advance?
Ramesh Sharma, a frequent traveler, remarked, "These promotions are beneficial if you have planned your travel during a specific period, as fares might be higher at that time. However, for those who make last-minute plans, these offers can turn out to be costly, especially if there are changes in the itinerary or cancellations."
An executive from the General Sales Agent (GSA) of a leading airline added, "Many of these promotions come with hidden conditions that are often overlooked. These may include limited baggage allowance, no refunds on cancellations, or no free date changes. However, they are advantageous for travelers with fixed plans who can proceed with other travel formalities."
Experts recommend some useful tips, such as exploring flight options across an entire month or searching by country rather than by city, to maximise savings. Flash sales typically last only a few days or even hours and often have a limited number of seats available at discounted prices.
By staying alert and planning strategically, travelers can take full advantage of these promotional fares without being caught off guard by the fine print.
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