2012-09-05

全球:购买便宜机票的常识

从事航空旅游行业多年,被问得最多的一个问题就是“怎么才能买到便宜的中国机票?”。实际上,只要做好“功课”,完全可以买到便宜的机票,做一个聪明的“空中飞人”。
购买便宜机票第一原则: 提前购票,货比三家
听起来好像是老生常谈,实际上能够买到便宜机票的“行家里手”使用最多的就是这个窍门。经常买票的朋友通常会提前2-3 个月就开始查询机票价格。有的甚至提前6 个月就开始订购暑假或圣诞机票了。这样的确是需要花费一些时间,但是每个旅客也往往至少会节省USD300 到USD400。计算下来,一家4 口大概可以节省1000 美元。足够买礼品馈赠亲朋好友了。
举一个实例。有位宗先生在2011 年12 月12 日从我公司网站(www.e-traveltochina.com) 购买了一张波士顿上海来回程机票。出发日期是6 月7 号,回程9 月6 日。承运人是美国大陆航空公司和美国联合航空公司。当时的价格是USD857.22。同样行程2012 年1 月1 日的价格是USD1632.10。如果行程略有变化(日期不变),最低价格也需要USD1265.82。

再举一个实例。岳女士2011 年12 月14 日从我网购买了4 张从芝加哥到北京的来回程机票(2 个大人,一个儿童,一个婴儿)。出发日期是6 月6 号,回程7 月2 日。承运人是加拿大航空公司(经多伦多中转)。当时的价格是USD2714.42。同样行程2012 年1 月1 日的价格是USD3923.03。
许多朋友查询机票是,常常有无从下手之感。我们建议您要简单了解航空公司放出低价舱位的时间。航空公司为了提高收益,往往“惜位如金”,不愿意提早 将便宜的位置放出来销售。美国本土的航空公司的竞争能力较强,往往在航班起飞前一至两个月才放出低价机位。美国航空(American Airlines),美大陆(Continental Airlines),达尔美(Delta Airlines), 美联合(United Airlines)往往采取这种竞争策略。亚洲的航空公司,比如国航(Air China),东航(China Eastern Airlines)及韩亚(Asiana Airlines) 则往往提前三个月甚至更久放出一些比较便宜的机位以抢占市场份额。近年来,加拿大航空公司(Air Canada)为抢占美国市场份额,也经常采取这种竞争战略。
许多朋友也是常常提前问价,但是效果往往不佳。这其实是方法不当造成的。大多数的朋友查询机票主要是通过机票代理。而机票代理人的佣金大多都在 USD30 元到USD50 元之间,所以不可能每天都帮助同样的客人去查找同样或类似的行程;客人也不好意思每天都查询。而我公司的机票订购网站是24 小时不间歇服务的,而且每次查询的结果都有200 种不同的航班组合。另外,由于代理人众多,帮助客人占的位置较多;航空公司也往往在半夜以后清理出或直接放出低价的舱位。所以只要使用得当,通过网站订购 的机票常常比通过代理人订购的机票要更为便宜。
购买便宜机票的窍门:网上购买
网上订票是航空公司最先创意和实行的。目的是争夺旅客资源、降低成本、提高竞争力。但是,航空公司网站的独家性限制其发展。90 年代后期,各类网上订票公司如雨后春笋,迅速发展,为旅客订购机票提供了方便。www.travelocity.comwww.priceline.comwww.expedia.comwww.vayama.com 等公司都是比较成功的网站。此类网站的优点是信誉佳、产品齐全、安全性高;其缺点是价格优势越来越不明显、无中文(或其他语言服务)。原因是航空公司大多 视其为竞争对手而不愿意轻易支付较高的佣金和提供较低的价格。因此,专门服务特定市场的网站因不会成为航空公司的直接竞争对手往往可以从特定的渠道得到比 较好的价格。在这方面办的比较成功的网站是“美中机票网”(www.e-traveltochina.com)。该网站提供的中美机票价格最为便宜,主要服务广大华人市场,而且全部使用中文服务,是华人购买机票首选网站。
网上订购的力捧者是学生和各类专业人士。其实,只要懂得上网的朋友都可以在网上询价和订购。以下仅以“美中机票网”(www.e-traveltochina.com)为例,简单介绍使用网站的几个窍门。

1. 输入英文城市或机场名称。因为台湾国语、中国普通话及香港粤语对城市及机场名称都
有不同的翻译;
2. 如可能,日期尽量选择非周末日期(有些航空公司视周五为周末)以避免周末附加费;周二及周四的价格可能会低一些;
3. 尽量使用“检查替代日期(check alternative dates)”(位于航空公司价格排列页的右上方扁长方块内),可以搜索到指定旅行日期前后各一天的票价。如近期旅行,使用此功能往往可以搜到更便宜的价 格;如是远期规划,此功能的作用不明显。这是航空公司的座位管理政策决定的;
4. 使用“显示筛选”(位于检查替代日期下一行)功能可以选择同城不同的机场;
5. 如持有某航空公司常旅客卡,可以在搜索引擎首页指定航空公司(以航空公司英文第一个字母为序);在定位过程中,一定要输入您的常旅客计划卡号码;另外,指定航空公司可以进行深度搜索,可能找到更为便宜的价格;
6. 如非直达航班,应留出足够的中国出境和美国入境的时间;另外,衔接航班也可能因天气或机械故障延误。
7. 如需境外中转并无美加护照或绿卡,请查询有关国家使领馆是否需要办理过境签证。
8. 许多网友反映,半夜时,比较容易找到低价的位置。
9. 去程及回程,或国内衔接航班,尽量使用同一家航空公司,以避免不必要的麻烦。
10. 中转时,应首选同一机场。同一城市,不同机场转机,价格可能会便宜;但是,行李需取出并再交运,比较麻烦,也容易误机。
购买便宜机票的常识:了解航空公司的运价规则
中国北方有句俗话:“买的不如卖的精。”旅客是消费者,很难outsmart 大多由美国名校MBA 毕业的航空公司收益管理部门和运价部门。因为他们的目标就是通过管理仓位来提高其单位价格。换句话说,在兼顾市场份额的情况下,航空公司目标就是争取卖高 价。这也是航空公司划分很多舱位等级的基本原因。但是通过了解一些航空公司的票价规则,旅客可以少花“冤枉钱” 、少为航空公司“贡献”一些利润。
航空公司按照历史数据划分销售“季节”。每家航空公司的定义略有不同。但是一般分为淡季、平季、旺季。有的航空公司还在同一季节内再细分。多数航空 公司都是以出发日期确定销售季节。通常来讲,1 月到3 月初(中国年除外)、11 月到12 月初的价格最为便宜;4 月和5月、9 月和10 月其次;6 月中到9 月初、12 月中到1 月初和中国年期间,价格最贵。如果旅客的旅行时间安排比较灵活,可以参照航空公司的“季节”划分来大致确定行程。如果旅客的行程比较固定,可按照购买便宜 机票的窍门(一)中讲述的原则选购机票。
除“基础运价”外,航空公司一般还会收取周末附加费。每家航空公司对周末的定义略有不同。收取的附加费也可能不同。一般的旅客不可能详细知道有关细节。最好的办法是回避周五到周日。如可能,最好选择周二和周四的美国离境航班。
航空公司还会收取燃油附加费,并代收机场税和政府税费。林林总总,各有不同。一般的机票代理人也不可能(也没有时间)全部详细告知。网上订票之所以渐渐流行,价格明细清楚、可以选择前后各一天的出发日期、多家航空公司同时比较是其主要的优势。具体可参考“美中机票网”(www.e-traveltochina.com)这样的主攻中国市场的网站。也可参考等www.travelocity.com,www.priceline.comwww.expedia.com 等主流网站。
购买便宜机票的注意事项:预防欺诈
许多职业人士和相当一部分的学生已经十分习惯在网上订购机票。但是,也有相当一部分朋友对网上订票的安全性“心存疑虑”。事实上,确实有一部分朋友 曾经“受骗上当”。在加拿大曾经就出现过通过网上订票的方式诈骗的案件。此类案件的受害人往往不会有太多的经济损失。这主要是因为网上订票是通过信用卡支 付,而信用卡公司在收到确切证据的情况下,往往会退还票款。但是,受害人的行程往往会被打乱,而且可能不得不因需要临时购买机票而付高价。
事实上,只要稍加留意即可识别欺诈网站。
专业的机票订购网站会在您订购机票后自动通过电子邮件即时发送行程和价格情况;在行程记录上方一定会有航空公司的记录编号 (conformation number/passenger record locator)的信息;购票人可以到有关航空公司的网站上核对有关信息;
一般的专业订票网站都会需要在出票前人工核对机票的行程和价格信息;但是24 小时之内一定会出票(周日除外)。旅客可以在订票次日到航空公司的网站再次核对有关信息。此次应该在比较明显的位置看到“已出票(Ticketed)”的字样;
专业网站的价格往往比传统旅行社便宜;但是肯定不会便宜得十分离谱。这是因为航空公司不可能提供离谱的佣金;传统旅行社的价格往往已经较低(但是毕 竟是劳动密集型产业,人工成本相对网站要高);因此专业网站的价格可能低廉,但是一定会低廉的有限;而欺诈性的网站的价格常常低得十分离谱。
一些专业网站的价格确实能够提供十分便宜的票价,主要是通过强大的搜索功能实现的。比如可以提供+/- 一日的搜索功能;选择航空公司深度搜索功能等。而欺诈性的网站的搜索功能往往设计得很不完善;
专业的网站一般会是有关协会或组织(往往同旅游有关)的成员;此类协会或组织会准许成员使用其标识(logo)。点击该标识会看到有关的详细信息;
一般的专业网站会提供公司的地址;公司的地址和区号一般应一致;
订购人也可以电话问询。一般情况下,机票订购网站的电话会相对繁忙。但是如留下详细的联络信息,应该会有电必复。另外,专业机票网站的优势是使用方便兼顾价格便宜;而欺诈性的网站往往依靠极低的价格引人上当。
购买便宜机票需防范信用卡盗用
购买机票最大的问题,并不是到哪里能买得便宜的机票;而是保护隐私、防范信用卡盗用。传统的旅行社需要您提供信用卡号码和有效日期。911 之后,由于防恐的原因,还需要您的出生日期及性别等。这实际上就为信用卡盗用提供了方便之门。通过正规的网站订票,信用卡的信息和其他隐私信息是经过加密 处理的。即便是网站的内部管理人员,也只能看到信用卡最后4位数字和有效日期。在这方面,网站的优势将愈加明显。
最后,我们希望您使用机票订购专业的网站“美中机票网”(www.e-traveltochina.com)。真正做到买得便宜,买得放心。

http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/advpost/1168.html

德国:Blue Card

    德国正式开始实施“关于高素质人才引进条例”,以此来吸引欧盟国家以外的高技术人才。对此,一些在德国的中国留学生表达了他们的看法。
  
    (德国之声中文网)今年8月1日起,德国正式开始实施联邦法案于不久前通过的"关于高素质人才引进条例",即所谓的"蓝卡"法案,以此来吸引欧盟 国家以外的高技术人才,为国外人才提供就业岗位的同时也解决了德国专业人才短缺的问题。通过这种蓝卡,欧盟以外的高技术人才可以更快地获得居留许可并在德 国工作。

政策惠及国外高技术人才以及在德留学生
  
    该政策规定,国外的高技术人才可在德国享有限期半年的找工作签证,并且如果能证明在德国有年薪44800欧以上(特殊情况可降到35000欧)的 工作即可获得"蓝卡",凭此可在德国居留四年,而通常情况下拿到"蓝卡"后的两到三年内即可获得永久居留证。此外,其配偶也可享有同等居留权,并且对其德 语语言水平不作要求。
  
    除了针对国外专业人才以外,该政策对在德国的外国留学生也提供了不少优惠,例如在读留学生打工的时限由原来的一年90天增加到了120天,留学生在毕业后留德找工作的签证时间由原来的12个月放宽到18个月,并且在找工作期间不限打工时限等。
  
    中国留学生看“蓝卡”政策
德国急需专业人才
  
政策有利于外国留学生
  
    至于此项法案是否真正切实地惠及留学生,大多数接受德国之声中文网采访的留学生表示,对此项新政策只是稍有听闻,并没有深入了解。而对一些即将毕业,并打算留在德国工作的中国留学生来说,这首先无疑是一个好消息。
  
    一位正在德国盖莫斯海姆上学的刘姓同学表示:"我觉得新的政策总体来说还是对外国留学生有利的,比如增加了打工时间,延长了找工作的时限等。我认 识挺多中国留学生,就是因为毕业后没有在规定的时间内找到工作,所以被迫回国了。如果时间能再长一点,他们找到的希望可能会大一些。"
  
    然而,针对该项政策今后是否能如期实施,她也有一丝疑虑:"放宽政策后符合资格的人数可能大增,所以到时候不知道具体实施起来是否和预期的一样好。 "
  
    同样给出积极评价的还有一位来自图宾根的留学生,他表示:"虽然还没有从此项政策中获益,但是我认为这项政策很好,除去对留学生个人发展的好处之 外,还能为德国的经济发展提供更多高质量的劳动力;同时,来自国外的竞争可以促使德国本土的学生更加努力的提高自己的能力。"
  
不同专业之间差别大
  
    而另一位在欧洲学习欧洲文化的中国学生William则认为,此项政策究竟是否会给留学生带来便利还是个未知数,他表示:"总体看来大环境对留学 生是有利的,但是对于个人还有不同专业来说,我个人觉得不好说。有的专业可能受惠更大一些,例如德国紧缺的专业人才,而其他专业可能没有影响。"面对繁琐 的手续问题,即将毕业找工作的他希望德国的大学以及相关部门能够及时跟进,提高办公的效率,或者能给个别遇到问题的留学生提供该方面的咨询帮助。
  
    中国留学生看“蓝卡”政策
来德求学的中国学生越来越多
  
    当然,对于大多数在德国的中国留学生来说,他们最感兴趣的还是留学前的审核手续以及留学期间或留学结束后的居留许可程序的变化问题。
  

对法案的建议
  
    一位来自中国南方某大学的访问学者对此项法案也提出了一些建议,他表示:"其实这是一个留学生管理规定,针对的是已经在德国的留学生,对于想申请 来德国留学的学生和学者而言,此项政策没有在实际上提供给他们多大的帮助。应该在如何吸引学生到德国留学这方面多做一些事情。"

    此外,就该政策的具体实施情况,德国不同地区情况不同。德国之声总部所在城市波恩外事处的负责人宾德塞尔(Dieter Bindseil)表示,目前波恩方面还未开始发放所谓的"蓝卡",他本人也无法给出具体的发放日期。

http://boxun.com/news/gb/intl/2012/09/201209050417.shtml

EU Blue Card


The EU Blue Card Germany is a residence permit , so a proof ( documentary - ) over the legal residence of a national of a third State in an EU Member State for the purpose of employment. The Blue Card is therefore intended for members of non- EU countries. For members of EU states there is freedom of movement in terms of their stay.

The EU Directive on the Blue Card gets part of German law in Germany at 1. August 2012 by the Act to implement the highly qualified Directive of the European Union . In particular the Residence Act was modified. The most important paragraph is section 19a of the german Residence Act - EU Blue Card.

Who can apply for an EU Blue Card?


For an EU Blue Card Germany can apply a foreigner, who is a national of a non-EU country, if he has
a) either a German or a recognized foreign or a German university degree equivalent foreign degree and
b) a contract of employment with a gross annual salary of at least € 44,800 (3733 € per month) or in so-called shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT professionals)with an annual salary of at least € 34,944 (2912 € per month).

FAQ


Answers to the most important issues for the EU Blue Card.

Does the foreigner has to apply for the EU Blue Card prior to entry?


Yes, the entry into Germany is governed by the general entry requirements. After this for members of most third countries the application for the EU Blue Card has to be made before traveling to Germany. Responsibility lies with the relevant German mission abroad (embassy).

How long does an EU Blue Card is valid?


The EU Blue Card is issued initially for a maximum of four years. If the employment relationship will exist for less than four years,so the EU Blue Card is limited for the duration of the contract is awarded, plus three months. It can be renewed or it is granted a permanent residence permit.

When can the owner of an EU Blue Card obtain a right to permanent residence in Germany?


Foreigners who have an EU Blue Card may apply after 33 months for a permanent residence permit. If they may have a knowledge of German at the level B1 they can apply after 21 months for a permanent residence permit, § 19a (6) Residence Act.

Can the Blue Card is lost for an extended stay outside the EU?


EU Blue Card holder may stay up to twelve months outside the EU without loosing the right of residence in Germany or the EU.


May holders of a Blue Card migrate further in another EU country?


EU Blue Card owners have to stay18 months in Germany. Then they have the right to immigrate to another EU country.


Does the residence time with a Blue Card in other EU countries counts towards permanent residence?


If the foreigner is residing with an EU Blue Card already in other EU Member States, these include sojourn times for the receipt of a permanent right of residence in Germany.

During the resettlement within the EU do have visa procedures to be carried out ?


Will foreigners continue to migrate within the EU, in almost all EU countries, no visa is required. The application may be made at the new home-country. In Germany, the request must be made within one month of arrival in Germany.

Is a priority examination performed? Are members of the German labor market treated privileged ?


Priority check means that it is checked whether German workers are eligible for the occupation in the workplace. Such a priority check is not used when the content limits are reached. However, there will be a review of working conditions. If a salary of at least € 34,944, there will be a priority test for non-shortage occupations, so that an EU Blue Card can be issued.

Can family members of Blue Card holders work in Germany without restriction?


Family members of holders of an EU Blue Card shall work without restriction in Germany.

Do spouses must have a German language knowledge before entering?


The subsequent immigraton of spouses does not depend of the proof of German language skills or other integration measures. Even basic knowledge of German is not necessary for the spouse.

Implementation of European Union directive for Highly skilled foreigners into German law


Basis of the EU Blue Card is a directive of the European Union , Directive 2009/50/EC on the Blue Card . The EU Blue Card is granted for the purpose of highly qualified third- country nationals staying in the EU. So a skills shortage can be counteracted.

The listing rules of the individual EU member states remain unaffected by the EU directive. It does not regulate the influx of third country nationals who enjoy protection under international obligations, staying for a research stay in the European Union, who enter under the family reunification or who cannot be deported.

The holders of the EU Blue Card will receive the same pay as citizens of the Union in a similar position . An equality in terms of claims for vocational training or income support is not mandatory, but should be sought.

The Blue Card is limited . The validity period is one to four years. The format is uniform within the content of the EU and in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1030 /2002.

http://www.bluecard-eu.de/eu-blue-card-germany/

How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Germany & Basic Requirements to Qualify for work parmit



As of the 1 January 2005 introduction of the new German Immigration Act, foreigners need only obtain a German residence permit, which gives them the right to work, rather than separate residence and work permits. Citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland may apply for their residence and work permit while remaining in Germany as visitors. Citizens of these countries, however, are not allowed to work in Germany until after their work and residence permit application is approved.


Citizens of most other countries are required to apply for and obtain a residence and work permit prior to entering Germany at their German consulate.

The procedure as of 1 January 2005 is as follows:

Stage 1: The residence permit application (which also provides access to the labour market) for the candidate is received by the German embassy in the country where the candidate lives.

Stage 2: The Embassy passes the application to the immigration office (the Auslaenderbehoerde) in the place where the job is to take place for initial approval. The immigration office, in cooperation with the local employment office (the Arbeitsamt) that issues the permission, makes its decision.

Stage 3: If the candidate's application has been approved, the Embassy provides an entry visa to the candidate.

Stage 4: Upon arriving in Germany, the foreign national and any accompanying family members must apply for their work and residence permits at the local foreigners authority.

To qualify as for a German work permit, the basic requirements for the employee and the German company are as follows:


  • The potential employee has to be employed on equal terms as a German employee.
  • German or other European nationals are not available to fill the position.
  • Usually the employee must have a university degree comparable qualification. For some positions there are special requirements.
  • The German company must be registered at the Labor Authorities in Germany and apply for a Corporate Registration Number.

http://migrationpk.blogspot.co.nz/2010/08/how-to-apply-for-permanent-residence-in.html

Naturalisation by entitlement


An individual who fulfils all of the following criteria has an entitlement to naturalise as a German citizen:[4]

  • he/she has been ordinarily resident in Germany for at least 8 years (this period can be reduced - see below)
  • he/she has legal capacity or a legal representative
  • confirms his/her present and past commitment to the free democratic constitutional system enshrined in the German Basic Law (or that he is presently committed to such principles and has departed from former support of ideas contrary to such principles)
  • he/she is a European Union or Swiss citizen in possession of the appropriate residence permit which permits the free movement of persons, or he/she is a non-EU/Swiss citizen who has been granted a permanent right of residence
  • he/she is able to support himself/herself without recourse to benefits
  • he/she has not been sentenced for an unlawful act and is not subject to any court order imposing a measure of reform and prevention
  • he/she possesses an adequate knowledge of German
  • possesses knowledge of the legal system, the society and living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany

An individual who does not have legal capacity is entitled to naturalise as a German citizen merely through ordinary residence in Germany for at least 8 years - he/she does not have to fulfil the other criteria (e.g. adequate command of the German language and ability to be self-supporting without recourse to benefits).

Applicants for naturalisation are normally expected to prove they have renounced their existing nationality, or will lose this automatically upon naturalisation. An exception applies to those unable to give up their nationality easily (such as refugees). A further exception applies to citizens of Switzerland and the European Union member states.

An individual who is entitled to naturalise as a German citizen can also apply for his/her spouse and minor children to be naturalised at the same time (his/her spouse and minor children need not have ordinarily resided in Germany for at least 8 years).

Exceptions to the normal residence requirements include:

  • persons who have completed an integration course may have the residence requirement reduced to 7 years
  • If a person shows that he/she is especially well integrated and has a higher level of command of the German language than the basic requirement for the German citizenship may have the residence requirement reduced to 6 years
  • The spouse of a German citizen may be naturalised after 3 years of continual residency in Germany. The marriage must have persisted for at least 2 years.
  • refugees and stateless persons may be able to apply after 6 years of continual residency
  • former German citizens
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_nationality_law