Cheap Airfare Center

Cheap Airline Tickets for Couriers

Posted on 16 November 2009

Do you imagine the adventure in your life along the lines of a James Bond movie?

Courier travel may be a safe way to get the cheapest flights to unknown parts of the world.

What is Courier Travel?

Your excess baggage allowance is replaced with cargo or documents when an air courier travels to an assigned destination.  The companies reimburse the air courier with cheap air tickets, generally between 30% and 85% off the standard fare.

The shipment is transported in the plane’s hold, and the clearing documents are carried by the courier.  The company saves money by hiring an individual already headed in that direction, offering cheap airline flights in return.

It is also faster as excess baggage is cleared directly rather than going to the customs clearing area.

How Can I Get Connected?

Be sure you meet the criteria to get on the cheap air fares bandwagon.  Are you over 18 (or 21 in some cases) and do you have a valid passport?  Most common are the US and EU passports.  Some companies have parameters for personal appearance.

The International Association of Air Travel Couriers was founded in 1989 to serve as a broker between couriers and the companies.  Visit them at courier.org to find the cheapest flights to destinations of your dreams.  Their annual membership fee is $22.50.

From Where Can I Fly?

Most of North American courier flights depart from San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.  Other cities with fewer courier flights include Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

When you arrive at your destination, you may connect with another courier service and fly out of major cities such as Buenos Aires, Guatemala, Caracas, Tokyo, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, and many others.  It is your responsibility to pay for transportation to your departure city.

Who can complain with such cheap airplane tickets?

What Do I Do Upon Arrival?

When you arrive at your destination, you will have arrived on any of a variety of carriers, not just a cheap airline.  The courier may accompany the cargo through customs, or a receiving company agent will take your paperwork and clear the cargo.

Security considerations determine when a non-passenger can approach passengers, meaning when the shipment recipient can approach the air courier.   Upon clearing customs, a company agent takes the paperwork.  Method of identification will be determined beforehand.  Once the paperwork is transferred, the courier is on his own.

If there is return cargo, terms can be negotiated at that time, and continuing contact with the courier company will be determined by the need for your services on the return flight.  Your lodging is up to you, whether motel, hostel, hotel, friends, family, or bed and breakfast.   The length of stay can vary from seven days to six months.

European trips are generally one or two weeks, while Asia and South America frequently have no minimum stay.

Courier Travel is Not for Everyone

However, it might be right for you!  In exchange for this cheap airline ticket, you may be unable to check any baggage or one at the most.  Carryon luggage should have only the standard restrictions.

In addition, if you are not a courier on the return flight, you will have baggage permissions equivalent to those of other passengers.  It is rare indeed that you are not given a round-trip ticket in exchange for your courier obligation.  If you try it once, what great fodder you will have for conversations about cheap airline tickets.

Don’t live with regret.  Give it a whirl.