Una tarifa con descuento es un billete de avión vendido a un precio inferior a la tarifa estándar publicada. Las aerolíneas ofrecen estas tarifas para llenar asientos, atraer a viajeros sensibles a los precios, fomentar las reservas anticipadas o dirigirse a grupos de clientes específicos, como estudiantes, personas mayores o personas que viajan para visitar a sus familiares.

Las tarifas con descuento son una parte esencial de las estrategias de fijación de precios de las aerolíneas. Si bien ayudan a los viajeros a ahorrar dinero, generalmente vienen con condiciones como disponibilidad limitada de asientos, restricciones sobre cambios o reembolsos y requisitos de elegibilidad (como edad o condición de estudiante).

Tipos de tarifas con descuento

• Tarifas Promocionales
• Tarifas de compra anticipada
• Tarifas de último minuto/inventario en dificultades
• Tarifas para estudiantes
• Tarifas para personas mayores
• Tarifas corporativas o negociadas
• Tarifas de grupo
• Tarifas militares/gubernamentales
• Tarifas para jóvenes
• Tarifas para acompañantes
• Inclusive Tour (IT) or Consolidator Fares
• ID / AD Fares (Industry Discounts)
• VFR Fares (Visiting Friends and Relatives)
• Charter Fares
• Loyalty Program Discounted Fares

Why Discounted Fares Matter

1. For Travelers
   Discounted fares open up flying to a much wider audience by making tickets more affordable. Students can travel abroad for studies, families can plan vacations without breaking their budget and senior citizens can fly more often to see loved ones. These fares also encourage first-time flyers, especially in developing markets where cost is a major barrier. However, the trade off is usually in flexibility most discounted fares are non refundable, have limited baggage allowances or require advance booking. Still, for travelers who can plan smartly, these fares unlock significant savings.
2. For Airlines
   Discounted fares are a core part of an airline’s revenue management strategy. Empty seats generate zero revenue, so airlines use discounted pricing to fill them in advance or at the last minute. Specific discounts like VFR fares allow airlines to build loyalty among diaspora communities, while corporate fares ensure steady business traffic. By segmenting fares, airlines can target multiple customer groups budget travelers, students, business passengers or families without undercutting their premium offerings. Discounted fares for LCCs also give airlines a way to compete on highly competitive routes.
3. For Travel Agencies and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies)
   Discounted fares give agencies a competitive edge. By accessing consolidator fares, group fares or negotiated rates, agencies can bundle them into packages (like flight + hotel + activities) and market them as attractive deals. This not only drives higher booking volumes but also strengthens customer loyalty travelers often return to agencies that can consistently find them cheaper or exclusive fares. For OTAs, discounted fares are a powerful tool to capture online search traffic for “cheap flights” and convert it into bookings.

At Flight Terminus, we give travel agencies the ability to configure dynamic rate codes and display their agreement fares directly in search results making it easier to offer competitive, customized options to customers. This not only improves the booking experience but also helps agencies increase their revenue by maximizing every fare opportunity.