• Missionary work to spread the Christian gospel can be life-changing and overwhelming. Before departure, many details must be arranged, not the least of which is airfare.The expense of traveling to a mission destination can rapidly diminish the small, church-sponsored budget of most missionaries. Numerous travel agencies specialize in discounted missionary air fare. Specific regulations exist to prevent abuse of these special fares. Following these requirements is the first step in finding an inexpensive fare to your mission destination.
  
  

Non-Profit Status

• Discounted missionary air fares are only available to missionaries affiliated with a legitimate not-for-profit organization. A prospective missionary needs to provide the travel agent with a letter on the letterhead of the affiliated organization that indicates that the purpose of travel is not for leisure and the organization's federal tax identification number. It is not necessary to provide a 501(c)(3) certificate or other official documentation.
  
  

Affiliation

• Some specialized agents only offer flights to affiliated missionaries or non-affiliated missionaries going to work with an affiliated organization. To demonstrate affiliation, prospective missionaries must provide written documentation from the field director of the mission.
  
  

Specialized Travel Agents

• A specialized travel agent is not technically a requirement for booking missionary air travel. However, the advantage of using an agent specializing in missionary travel is that many of these agents are former missionaries themselves. They understand the intricacies and concerns of mission travel, as well as the budget constraints. Some missionary travel agents advertise lower prices than those available from commercial agents or consolidators.
  
  

Lead Time

• Booking flights in advance will provide the travel agent with the greatest possibility of finding an inexpensive plane ticket for you. Six to eight weeks is recommended as the minimum lead time. One danger of a lengthy lead time is a change in plans and the subsequent change fees charged by many airlines. Specialized missionary travel agents may be able to reduce or eliminate some of those charges.
  
  

Other Considerations

• If you can leave mid week or early in the morning, you may be able to procure a less expensive airline ticket since these flight times are less popular with leisure and business travelers. Some missionary flights fly only on specific days of the week.
  
  Carriers dedicated to missionary travel, such as Missionary Flights International, fly older planes, like DC-3's. These planes have a limited takeoff weight and consequently, passengers are asked to provide their body weight and the weight of their baggage in advance.