Nothing sucks out your money than the amount you have to spend on airfare. All the time, you’re probably thinking about how to save money on airfare.
That’s because finding the best flight deals is a skill in itself, and it is usually the travel enthusiasts that have it all figured out. But where does that leave the rest of us?
We’re all stuck with advice: people swear that you need to book as early as possible, while others say last-minute deals are the real prize. It’s enough to make you think it’s just all about luck.
While internet search engines can help you find low-priced flights, that still doesn’t mean those are the best deals available. Believe it or not, there are more tricks involved in finding better deals.
Here are 5 tips for finding the best flight deals and save money on airfare.
1. Don’t fall into the myths
There are numerous sites online that propagate how to find cheap flights but most of them are just myths. What goes on behind the scenes is that a lot of websites hire bad reporters who just recycle common and outdated myths that have no proof to back them up.
Some of the common myths you’re sure to come across are that it’s cheaper to buy airfare on a specific day, searching incognito lets you score cheaper deals or that there is an exact date or specific time period when you should book your flights.
All such claims are wrong and the truth is that there is no possible way that you can predict airline prices. What some websites actually do is just take an educated guess, that has more of a chance of being wrong than right.
2. Keep your travel dates and times flexible
One thing to keep in mind is that ticket prices start going on a rollercoaster when holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, etc. start coming up. For example, August is a peak travel month around Europe because many tourists want to run away to somewhere warm during the cold winter months.
So long story short, if you want to fly when everyone else is hopping on planes too, then your ticket is bound to cost a whole lot more.
Airlines usually use advanced computer and pricing algorithms to figure out prices and run sales so you’re up against a smart system. Any old trick just won’t work anymore but a flexible plan can be your lifesaver.
3. Ever heard of budget carriers?
Being stuck with traditional expensive airlines was something unavoidable in the past – but not anymore. Budget airlines are most definitely a thing in today’s world and they now service short and medium-hail routes all around the world.
Because of COVID, you might find long-haul budget carriers cut down on their routes but once the travel industry picks up its usual pace again you can be sure to find them back.
It won’t be surprising to find eye-popping cheap deals around Asia, Australia, and even throughout the subcontinent and Africa offered by many Indian and Middle Eastern airlines. You just have to look a little closer.
These days you can fly all around the world while saving money on airfare through a budget airline if you’re willing to let go of a little bit of comfort.
4. Avoid direct flights to save money on airfare
Many times, it’s actually cheaper to be flexible with flight routes, because direct flights often charge more because of their convenience. The only downside is more flying time.
If you want to take advantage of this, find out how much will it cost you to go directly to your destination. Then open up Google Flights and type in that destination’s continent and check out the prices at nearby airports. If you see a significant difference in the prices, check out how much it costs to get to your destination from the pit stop you plan to make on your way there.
Don’t rule out other options like trains/buses either if your destination after or before your pit stop isn’t that far from your location. When you’re saving money, you can’t just restrict yourself and depend only on airplanes to get you where you need to be.
Another thing you can do is fly out from a nearby airport to make travel even cheaper, especially if you are about to get on a long international flight. And if you’re booking separate segments, make sure that you have about a three-hour difference between them in case of delays.
5. Look out for student discounts
You’ve heard of student discounts available at the food court or at the cinema, but did you know they apply when it comes to airfare as well? Well, you do now.
If you are a student or just generally younger than the age of 26, there are numerous discounts available to you. Many give a 20-30% off of the standard fee and all you have to do to avail such an opportunity is contact your local travel agencies. They will be able to find you the best flight deal.
It’s alright if you’re unsure which airlines offer discounts because they don’t exactly advertise it too loudly. So don’t hesitate to call them up directly or visit their website. A little digging and you’re looking at more than 20% off your original airfare, and that’s going to be worth the effort.
And apart from this, you can also save money in your everyday choices such as learning about the best grocery store hacks. So put on your savings hat and think wisely before you take an action.
