Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a business trip your airfare is going to eat a major chunk of your budget. Even though every airline and travel agency claims to have the cheapest flights, all of them have hidden charges and taxes that almost always end up costing you a lot more than the flight is worth.
However, there are a few tricks that can help you get your flights at cheaper rates. If you are an avid traveller and are interested in booking insanely cheap flights then this blog is for you.
1. Book early
Waiting till the last minute to book a flight is never a good idea. Plane ticket prices usually sour during the final three weeks, which is why it is best to book your flight as early as possible.
Booking early is also the easiest way to ensure that you get reasonable rates. Anywhere between four months to 30 days before your departure date is an ideal time to check your flight details as there is a chance that you might end up getting a much better deal. This tip especially comes in handy if you are travelling somewhere during the peak season.
2. Use price alerts
You can always set a price alert if you are not ready to book your flight a few months before your departure date. Airline ticket prices fluctuate all day every day, and when you are travelling to another place, even a small price drop can make a huge difference.
Price alerts can be extremely helpful as they will notify you when ticket prices soar or drop daily. This way, you can keep an eye on the fares and make an informed decision. We wrote about using Google flights price alerts in our when do flight prices drop post, read more.
3. Be flexible with your plans
Being flexible with your flights can save you a lot of money. Sometimes we can become so rigid in our travel plans that we may end up having to spend a lot more than we wanted too.
As you plan your trip, you should be open to the possibility of flying to a different airport than the one you originally wanted to. Similarly, if you are planning to fly on a certain date, but there are cheaper flights available during the week, there is no harm in making a few changes to your schedule.
If you cannot compromise on your flight timings, you can compromise on your destination. There are websites (such as Google Flights and Skyscanner) where you can put in your home airport and will be able to see a map of the world with all the flights on it. You can always go for a reasonable option that suits your budget.
4. Use flight ticket comparison websites
Another mistake many people make is that they book their flights directly from the carrier. It is always better to compare your ticket prices with a third-party booking website as you may find a better deal. Looking at a wider variety of flights will give you more control over your travel decisions. Some flight comparison website to consider: Google Flights, cheapflights.com, SkyScanner & us (Moonsand).
5. Book connecting flights
This is an underrated nifty trick as people always book direct flights to their destination. Usually, people view connecting flights as unnecessary or inconvenient. In reality, waiting a little longer at an airport or switching flights won’t seem so bad if you are saving some bucks in the process.
As you look for your flights on the booking website, uncheck the ‘direct flights only’ option on the search engine. This will enable you to see any flights with reduced rates.
6. Take advantage of red-eye flights
Red-eye flights, also known as overnight flights, are airline flights that typically depart late at night and arrive early in the morning. Red-eye flights have become popular among budget-conscious traveler's due to their cheaper prices compared to daytime flights. The lower demand for overnight travel, unconventional departure and arrival times, contributes to reduced ticket prices.
Additionally, red-eye flights encounter less congestion and air traffic, allowing airlines to negotiate better deals with airports, leading to lower operational costs. Also, the willingness of voyagers to sacrifice some comfort for affordability results in fewer passengers on overnight flights, prompting airlines to offer discounted fares.
Overall, the combination of lower demand, reduced congestion, and passenger flexibility makes red-eye flights an attractive and cost-effective option for budget traveler's seeking significant savings while reaching their destination.
7. Use credit card travel credits
Using your credit card for travelling has its many advantages. For example, you can earn bonus points on every airline purchase. These points can then be redeemed for future award flights.
Credit card benefits can also help you pay for in-flight purchases and baggage fees. Some credit cards also return a set amount of cash once you purchase your aeroplane ticket. In certain cases, spending more than $100 on a flight also means that you will be refunded if the airline goes out of business.
8. Travel during weekdays
Plane tickets vary in price depending on the time of the year. Many people prefer to travel during holidays, which is why you may end up with a much more expensive plane ticket on a weekend as compared to a weekday. Similarly, ticket prices tend to soar during other holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, or the fourth of July. August is also a popular month for many to travel around Europe.
It is always wiser to either plan your departure during the off-season or on weekdays.
9. Go for budget airlines
If you are someone who religiously books flights on major airlines, we are here to tell you that flying on a budget airline is not as bad as many consider it to be. Gone are the days when your only option for travelling revolved around traditional airlines.
Now, you have many other alternative airlines that can give you the same service without breaking the bank. While there may be fewer perks on a budget airline, it will certainly help cut down your travelling cost.
10. Book package tours
Sometimes it is better to put some extra effort into planning your trip, as it can save you a lot of hassle. While booking flights directly seems simpler and more convenient, we recommend you look for a package holiday.
Travel companies sometimes offer holiday packages as they book tickets in large amounts and get discounts. You can even end up getting a whole holiday for a much cheaper rate than a regular flight.
Conclusion
Being flexible and booking early can make all the difference when it comes to getting a cheaper flight. In any case, you can easily save a lot of money by doing some homework and going that extra mile.
Would you like to learn more about how to save on your flights? and find which are the the best budget airlines to choose? Read our other articles which discuss these points in great detail:
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