If the prices afford to you by way of the discount travel sites we discussed earlier still make you balk, or you’d like to have a good-sized chunk or possibly all of the cost of your flight absorbed by someone else, there is always the option of becoming an air courier.

I’ve never done this, but after reading up on it, the process seems fairly simple and worth the effort; I have several trips that I would like to make this year, and shaving the digits down make the possibility of visiting the folks I want to see that much more possible.

One of the most helpful and informative sites I found in my search for courier information was through GoNOMAD, specifically their article, “Flying Cheap: Air Courier Travel,” where the basics are listed, as well as some useful-seeming considerations to those who entertain thoughts of doing this kind of thing.

A few primary tips worth noting follow the jump.

• You call the courier company or booking agency and tell them you are available to travel to such-and-such destination on such-and-such dates. Flexibility on dates is important: have approximate dates, not set ones. It’s a good idea to call two to three months before you plan to travel (if you have set dates and destinations), as flights fill up quickly. Last minute travelers can often call a few days in advance and see what’s available.

• Courier flight fares rise and fall with the seasons and the demand. If airline prices are up in general, or you are trying to get to a popular destination, you could pay more. Sometimes, the price is almost as high as a regular flight or a consolidator fare, so it pays to check.

• You can often only take carry-on luggage. Depending upon the route and the time of year, you may be limited to one carry-on, as your baggage allowance is used for the shipment. In some cases–low-volume flights–you will be allowed your checked baggage and the excess will be used for the shipment.

Flying Cheap: Air Courier Travel [gonomad.com]

Other useful courier sites:

AirCourier.org
aircourieruk.com
Answers.com (topic: air courier services)
The Air Courier List