Saving money when traveling domestically or internationally is always wise, and many strategies exist that can assist with doing just that – such as using online tools and being flexible when booking travel dates.
Flying on Tuesday is often seen as a myth, but flying before and after holidays could save hundreds of dollars. Use these tips to book a flight without breaking your budget and take full advantage of weekly flight offers!
Be Flexible
Airline tickets typically make up a considerable share of vacation costs, so starting to save for airfare as soon as your travel dates are confirmed is key to reaching your savings goals. Budgeting strategies that work for other expenses will also work for your airfare savings goals.
Stay Open about Dates
Being flexible with both departure and arrival dates can significantly lower airfare costs. The best time and place to find cheap domestic and international flight tickets are months before traveling when airfare prices are the lowest and you have more choice in dates for domestic or international flights.
On the other hand, airfare tends to increase near popular travel periods like Christmas or peak summer vacations; therefore it may be beneficial to purchase your ticket 3-6 months ahead in order to take advantage of reduced ticket prices.
As long as you’re being flexible with your dates, search for flights into and out of alternative airports as well. Instead of just looking at flights to/from LAX, look into alternative nearby airports such as Burbank; often these options will actually end up being cheaper than flying directly into/out of LAX.
Consider purchasing one-way tickets instead of round-trip ones when booking flights, as search aggregators and airlines frequently offer this option which could end up being less costly in the long run. Furthermore, if you own an airline credit card consider opting for carry on option to avoid checked bag fees altogether as many cards now provide $0 checked bag fees to their cardholders which could significantly cut overall flight costs.
Split Ticketing
When booking flight tickets, many people immediately seek a round-trip option; however, this may not always be the most cost-effective solution. Instead, split ticketing may offer better savings: book one-way flights then purchase separate return ticket(s). It’s an effective way of saving money and should definitely be considered when planning your next holiday!
Imagine planning a trip from London to Vancouver. Your research indicates that non-stop flights may cost at least PS4,600, but by exploring alternatives that included layovers instead, it might turn out much cheaper, saving up to PS2,080! That is an enormous difference and proves why it pays to check flight prices with connecting routes, even if they require additional stops.
Apart from booking one-way flights, another great tip for splitting tickets is shopping for individual passenger tickets instead of group tickets. When flights offer limited seating capacity, buying all your seats at once will result in higher costs due to airlines trying to cover their costs and thus raising prices accordingly.
Flight instalment plans make shopping for one-way flights easier by allowing you to spread out payments over a specific period. This option is perfect for those without immediate cash available to them or those simply preferring more manageable payments for their tickets.
Explore Alternative Airports
Travel can be an unforgettable experience when you use smart strategies to save on airfare. Be it through cash payment or credit card rewards, the savings can add up and can be put towards more luxurious hotel accommodations or exciting experiences during your journey.
One of the key advice from travel gurus is to research alternate airports. The reason for this is that flights to airports on the periphery of cities often offer cheaper fares compared to hub cities – which can make a considerable difference on long-haul flights that require significant amounts of fuel to get to their destination.
Another tip to save money when booking flights is booking early (ideally up to a year in advance). Flights tend to be significantly cheaper at first sale and this can especially apply during holiday seasons or major events (such as St Patrick’s Day in Ireland).
Search flights by country rather than simply city; this will provide a more complete picture of all available prices, including those to and from smaller regional airports.
Consider driving to or from an alternate airport when possible if possible; while it may add extra time, the savings could more than compensate. Driving is less stressful with kids in tow and may allow you to fly into more convenient departure or arrival airports that reduce delays. Finally, international travelers may find it cheaper to fly into or out of a border town due to differing commute fees between countries which can lower total flight costs significantly.
Embrace Layovers
Though travelers might dread having to spend extended amounts of time at an airport or city, those layovers can actually be fun! View them as an opportunity for exploration, and make them into mini vacations to save money on flights; many airlines even offer special rates for long layovers during slower periods!
Connecting flights are another effective way of saving money when flying, giving you access to lower fares as well as earning frequent flyer miles faster. When selecting this method of flight booking it is important to research which airport you will be flying into; for instance if traveling from Europe it may be cheaper and quicker to fly via major hub such as Atlanta instead of directly Denver.
Reward miles or credit card points are another effective way of saving on flight tickets, though this method requires more work as you will need to locate available award seats that work with your schedule.
Finally, when possible it’s best to travel during peak times such as holidays or popular travel periods like weekends; doing this can save both hassle and money since airfares tend to be higher at these times. Furthermore, try packing lightly; this will not only minimize delays but may save money due to higher airfare costs on these days as well. Also bring only one carry-on bag per person as this can significantly lower ticket costs – by doing this you may avoid airline’s $50/bag fee and save even further with certain credit cards – you could then spend saved funds on other expenses during your journey!
Check Passport Requirements
When booking flights online, make sure you’re fully aware of all of the fees that may add up – from air taxes and baggage fees to seat selection costs and any potential connecting flights costs that could make buying direct flights much cheaper.
Check your passport is up-to-date as some countries have strict entry requirements that prevent travel with an expiring passport less than six months away from expiring; in such cases, apply for a new one in advance of travel plans.
Timing your travel is also key, since some destinations are seasonal in nature. For instance, traveling during peak summer seasons such as Europe can be considerably more costly than during wintertime.
Booking flights as early as possible to ensure the lowest prices is highly recommended, although no set rule exists as to when or how far in advance your flights should be booked depending on your destination, airline and time of year.
One way to save money when booking flights is by using websites and apps that monitor and alert you of affordable flights, like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Fare Deal Alert and The Flight Deal. Or alternatively you could use credit cards with price trackers – the Capital One Venture Card and Capital One X Rewards Card both provide this feature – that track and alert you if there are great prices out there – such as Scott’s Cheap Flights, Fare Deal Alert or The Flight Deal.