Many people say that when you book ahead, you pay less. That does apply, but there is another part to it. Try to get your booking completed about two to three months ahead of leaving. Often, you can see lower prices on that window before the airlines raise their rates. If your trip will be outside the country, consider reserving your ticket four to six months ahead as airlines first offer good deals, then slowly increase their prices.
Mid-week is usually the most affordable time to travel by air, as Thursday, Friday and Monday are the costliest days. Why? Leisure and business travelers usually don’t travel on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, making them less busy. Since most prefer to travel during the day, an early or late flight can help you save a little money.
Keep checking for last-minute sales, too. Should you be flexible with your plans, try subscribing to fare-alert emails through different travel websites or apps. A lot of airlines will reduce their prices around two weeks prior to departure to get more passengers.
Simple Tricks to Keep Costs Low
Be Flexible with Airports
Make sure to check price info at every airport in your city. You might find that riding a short distance on a train or bus to a nearby airport cuts your fares by a lot. And in some cases, landing in a city just a few hours away and taking a local domestic flight will let you enjoy big cost savings.
Mix and Match Airlines
You have the option to sign up with more than one carrier. Sometimes you can find that buying two one-way tickets separately is cheaper than buying a return trip.
Use Rewards and Points Wisely
If you have credit-card points or miles, don’t let them go to waste—use them now. Points normally cover the fare along with taxes, so having to pay for taxes won’t stop you from saving money on flights. Similar to normal airline cards, those shared with other companies tend to provide benefits like a checked bag for free or priority boarding to keep fees low.
Sign Up for Flash Sales
Airlines and travel providers may sometimes offer deep discounts in quick sales. Since these deals may surprise us, check social media accounts from airlines and deal websites or set up browser extensions that can track cheap flights. If you see a great sale, move fast, as a lot of them will disappear before you know it.
Travel During Shoulder Seasons
Around summer and big holidays, you’ll always find that trips cost you more money. Traveling a couple weeks earlier or later, when the crowds are fewer, often means you’ll pay a lot less. Instead of traveling at Christmas, try October to save a big amount of money.
Mind the Hidden Fees
Sometimes, business class lets you choose your seat, add more baggage and use the lounge. Some carriers ask for additional fees when you want a seat up front or use the lounge. Review the small print in the agreement. In some cases, choosing a higher basic fare is smarter, as it combines services you’d need to pay extra for normally.
