Traveling is a big deal. The US airline industry alone carries six billion passengers each year. Unfortunately, flying requires you to spend other people’s money, and cheap flights can be hard to find. Fortunately, for those of us who value our comfort, there are tricks to finding a balance between how we spend our money and the quality of those flights. The key is to plan ahead.
This guide will give you some useful tips and tricks that will allow you to buy those cheap flights before someone else gets them. From being flexible about when you depart, to signing up for rewards programs and credit cards that earn you rewards points, these are the best strategies to help you get cheap flights AND be comfortable when you get there.
Flexible travel dates
You have to have a flexible approach when flying. For example, airlines sometimes set lower fares for certain days of the week compared to others, and lower fares may apply for flights during times of the year when fewer people travel.
Travel at off-peak times such as mid-week and times when fares are generally lower are called ‘shoulder seasons’. Airlines usually provide lower prices during these periods because there is less demand. They are trying to get more people to travel to fill the available seats on their flights.
You can book great options and destinations, but with a cheaper air ticket. The best way to find flight deals is to take advantage of their flexibility. If you are flexible with your destination then it won’t be hard to find deals. For example, when you have a fixed destination in mind, you want to go there specifically and you are looking for train and air options just for that. But the best way is to see the selection and destinations from the map and be flexible with it. You can take advantage of the offer or any offers that may be available in the market.
Use flight comparison sites
A search engine for flights compares the prices of different airlines and travel agencies. For example, if you need to book a flight from London to Istanbul, you can easily compare prices from different sources. These sites create a database of prices provided by different online sources and show them to you to make an easy choice of the ticket to buy.
The big advantage of air price comparison sites is that you save time and effort. No need to spend hours visiting different airline websites and travel agencies and find the most reasonable prices yourself, just enter your destination and date and you will find available flights sorted by price.
Sign up for alerts
You can set relevant price alerts This means that when a special offer is offered on flights to a specific destination, you will receive an email or text message from the selected recipient (eg an airline or travel website) letting you know about.
Especially for travelers who have flexible travel dates, such as a set week in December instead of a hard date, this can be a great way to wait out prices and jump on the lowest fare. Set price alerts for the route you are watching and wait for the lowest price to switch.
Consider alternative airports
This could include flying to or from an alternate airport rather than the nearest main airport. Small airports generally have lower landing fees and this can lead to cheap flights for passengers. Alternate airports are also less busy with less queues, leading to a more relaxing journey.
When considering alternative airports, consider the cost versus the additional time you will need to travel. Sure, you might save money by flying into a different, cheaper airport, but are you willing to spend more time traveling? Do you have other transportation options that will get you closer to your destination? Will there be additional travel costs for you, such as renting a car to get to the airport?
Travel light
There are many benefits to traveling light, such as saving money on luggage and making your trip more comfortable. Plus, if you pack less, you won’t have any problems with excess weight and you’ll save money on baggage fees.
Traveling with only the essentials and no heavy or bulky items will help the traveler feel more comfortable throughout the journey. Going through airports and getting on planes and buses is a lot easier if you’re carrying less stuff or are more comfortable sitting down than someone with extra weight on their shoulders.
Book early or last minute
You will get a cheap deal by booking your flight months in advance or by booking at the last minute. It’s no secret that airlines usually sell tickets at a discounted price early to ensure that the aircraft is full in advance. Customers who plan ahead also avoid the hassle of finding seats at the last minute. Booking last minute can also give you an advantage on unsold seats, as the aircraft is sent full or with as few empty seats as possible.
As mentioned above, passengers who decide to book in advance tend to look for the best prices and have the best seats. As a result, passengers often book months in advance if they wish to travel to secure the seats and prices they want. More specifically, passengers often travel on a specific date or time during the year and therefore make reservations many months in advance. In addition, booking flights months in advance gives passengers more flexibility in choosing their flight time and flight route, which will allow them to plan their trip accordingly.
Rewards programs and credit card points
You can save money on flights by using a loyalty program or credit card points. Many airlines these days have what is called a “frequent flyer” program that allows you to collect miles when you travel with them. Once you’ve accumulated a certain number of miles, you can redeem them for a free or discounted flight.
In addition, some credit cards give reward points that can be used to book flights or upgrade your seat. Join frequent flyer programs of airlines you fly with regularly to earn miles on every flight you take with them. You can eventually accumulate enough miles to book free or discounted tickets.
