Saving on airfare can be a tricky thing, especially with soaring costs. Airfares have been rising due to a combination of high jet fuel prices, airline staffing shortages, and increased demand for travel. Flight bargains are becoming harder and harder to find. How can you save? Here is our advice.
8 Tips for Saving on Airfare
1 Be Flexible
Flexibility is key to saving on airfare. Airline ticket prices can vary significantly based on the date, the day of the week, and even the time of travel. It’s all about supply and demand. Prices are higher when the demand is greatest. If you are traveling for the holiday, consider traveling on the actual holiday. If you fly off-season and are flexible with your travel dates, you may be able to score the best deals. When it comes to vacations, Flexibility not only comes into play when determining when you will fly but also where you will fly. If you are flexible with your destination, you may see greater savings. When checking airfare for specific locales, look at nearby airports. Just figure any transportation costs into your overall costs. When searching for vacation flights, consider adjusting your vacation destination for the best flight and travel deals. Another note when it comes to flexibility is the willingness to forgo a direct flight in favor of a cheaper flight with a connection or to opt for a longer layover. This may save you hundreds, depending on the flights.
2 Be strategic about the time of booking
Waiting until the last minute to book a flight can lead to a much higher ticket cost. The ideal time to book is approximately two to three months before your trip. According to travel experts, mid-week is the best time to shop for flights.
3 Budget carriers may provide greater saving on airfare
You have so many more choices now than just the major airlines. Smaller airlines, such as Allegiant Air, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, and Spirit typically offer great deals to certain cities. Just watch the fees as we mention below.
4 When comparing flight cost, compare additional fees
Airline fees can add up quickly. What looks like a higher-priced ticket, may actually be lower when it comes to added fees. This is especially true with some of the budget airlines mentioned above. Added fees might include checked bags, carry-ons, booking fees, early boarding, and seat selection.
5 Keep an eye out for special deals for saving on airfare
Airfare bargain-hunters will want to check out the following ten sites. Some will enable you to compare options, and others have weekly deals and will even give you tips on the best time to fly. There are many additional sights out there. Sign up for e-mails and text alerts to receive last-minute specials and other deals.
- Google Flights
- Scott’s Cheap Flights
- SecretFlying
- Momondo
- AirFareWatchdog
- Kayak
- Orbitz
- Priceline
- Skyscanner
- Hopper
6 Don’t be afraid to mix and match airlines
When hunting for the best prices, third-party websites may find you the best deals on separate airlines for various legs of your trip.
7 Bundle travel components
When searching a travel website, you may save more if you bundle air, hotel, and rental car together.
8 Cashing in on travel points and air miles can lead to a greater saving on airfare
If you’re a frequent flyer, you probably have miles and points booked to use towards travel. If you’re not, you should sign up for some type of airline reward or frequent flyer program. You should also consider a credit card that enables you to build travel rewards, such as Benchmark’s VISA Credit Card.
We hope our tips help you find some great deals on airfare. Here’s an important note when booking airfare. According to the Department of Transportation, a passenger is entitled to a refund if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the passenger chooses not to fly. A passenger is also entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the passenger chooses not to travel. It’s always smart to know your rights when it comes to airfare.