Air travel can be expensive. Whether you are going on business, visiting family, or going on holiday, airfare is the most costly part of travelling. You, however, don’t need to pay for these high-cost flights. The following are tips and ways to travel cheaply and spend less on flights.
- Book Early
Booking your flight early is a great way to get cheap flights, especially during peak seasons. About three weeks to departure, airfare starts to skyrocket. You can avoid paying these costly plane ticket prices by booking your flight within 30-90 days of departure.
In addition, booking early also ensures that you get the best seat on the plane. During peak seasons, some seats cost more than others. However, travellers who book early can pay the same price for any seat as there are no extra charges for desirable seats.
- Connect Flights
Non-stop flights may be faster and more convenient but they also cost more than connecting flights. Connecting flights involves using two or more aircraft to get to the final destination. If you are trying to save money and are not in a hurry to reach your destination, you can travel cheaply by booking different airlines.
To find the most affordable prices while connecting flights, use third-party websites and search engines. These tools can help you filter various flight itinerary categories and link different trips at a low price.
Besides being affordable, connecting flights also allows you to take breaks at airports between flights. They make long flights bearable and let adults and children rest for a while before getting on the next plane.
- Use Google Flights.
Travel search engines such as Google flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak are very effective when looking for cheap flights. Google flights have interesting features such as the fare calendar, multiple destinations, and Snapshot. The fare calendar shows you when flights are cheapest while the snapshot and multiple destination features can help you find low-cost flights for various destinations. Google Flights’ map-based search also allows you to find the most affordable prices in your area.
- Use Discounts and Special Offers
Some airlines offer amazing discounts that can help you save money. To find discounted flights and the cheapest deals available, do thorough research on travel search engines and websites. You can also join an email list and receive the best deals daily.
If you are a student and below 26, you can also benefit from a variety of flight discounts for students. Some carriers offer great discounts of up to 20% off the ticket price and are transferable to partner airlines. Travel agencies such as Flight Center and student universe assist students in getting these discounts.
- Have Flexible Travel Plans
Being flexible with your travel plans can help you access cheap flights. For instance, fewer people travel on mid-week compared to other days of the week. There are also fewer travellers on the actual days of holidays and therefore, flights are cheaper on such days. To get these low cost flights, you can change your travel plans and travel mid-week or on the actual holiday. Changing your airport and choosing one with low-cost flights will also help you travel cheaply.
- Use your Airline miles and Credit card points
If you are a frequent air traveller, you can spend little to no cash on flights by using your credit card points or airline miles to pay instead of cash. When you purchase airline tickets, you earn points that you can redeem for award flights and travel for free. Travel credits from your credit card can also cover expenses like baggage fees, hence making your flight cheaper.
Conclusion
Airfare fluctuates every day for various reasons. If you are looking for a cheaper way to fly, ensure that you stay updated on flight prices through platforms such as travel websites, search engines, and mailing lists. Being flexible enough to adjust your travel plans to the prices is also a great way to travel on a low budget.