Finding cheap flights is always a priority, particularly for those looking to save money. However, finding the best deals is not as easy as entering your dates and clicking the “buy” button. With the evolution of technology, many new booking strategies have cropped up, which means that some of the methods you’re using could be completely outdated.
Today, consumers have several options to book flight tickets. These include everything from low-cost carriers to more transparency around flight ticket pricing that will allow you to save hundreds of dollars potentially.
Curious to know more? Here are some flight ticket booking dos and don’t you need to follow:
Do: Search for Flight Tickets One at a Time
Airlines usually sell multiple fare classes at various prices, with a few seats in every category. So if only one seat is left in the lowest fare class, and you search for four seats, most automated systems will show up the highest fare class for all the tickets. So, it is best to search one at a time. This way, you can snag at least some of your tickets for the lowest price!
Don’t: Always Look Only For the Cheapest Fare
Many airlines offer basic economy fares, which are lower than the standard economy class. However, they usually don’t allow you to choose your seat, change your ticket, or bring a carry-on. While it appears like the cheapest flight option, remember that you must play by their rules and pay extra for things not included in the economy fare – which is pretty much everything apart from an actual seat on the airplane. Also, being sandwiched between two passengers throughout a 10-hour flight will feel less worth than the $50 discount!
Do: Choose Midweek Flights
Book your tickets on a day that falls in the middle of the week to snag the best airfare deals. Since most people work during the week, they prefer to save their traveling for the weekends. Less demand for midweek flights means lower prices, so it would be wise to capitalize on this opportunity. According to expert opinions, Tuesday is the golden day for purchasing flight tickets – ideally, afternoons around 3 p.m. Eastern time.
Don’t: Buy Tickets over the Weekend
Due to high demand, airline price tickets are higher over the weekends, which can burn a hole in your wallet! Moreover, there are fewer deals over the weekends for both international and domestic flights, so it could hurt your chances of finding a good deal.
Do: Book Your Flights on the Actual Holiday
Contrary to what most people believe, flying on a holiday such as Christmas or Thanksgiving is cheaper than other days. Of course, the holiday weekend would see an increase in prices, but traveling on the actual day of the festival is comparatively cheaper.
Don’t: Select the Holiday Weekend to Fly
Traveling on the actual day of the festival is comparatively cheaper. Still, there is an exception: if you’re traveling over a three-day weekend around Memorial Day or Labor Day when everyone is looking to fly on the day of the holiday, you will be hit with rush prices. Therefore, try to extend your holiday by a day to avoid paying premium prices.
Do: Book a Package
If you’re looking to book a hotel along with your flight, you can save some serious cash by looking for a flight-and-hotel package rather than booking each differently. Many hotels use this strategy to hide a hefty discount within a packaged price instead of discounting the hotel alone. You can grab the best deals at big brands by bundling your bookings.
Don’t: Blindly Trust Travel Agents or Large Booking Sites
Even if some deals look impressive, remember that travel booking websites and travel agents will use every opportunity to make a rich profit, even with so-called discount tickets through what they term “processing fees.” More often than not, the final bill will be much higher than the prices quoted on the search page thanks to these fees, by which time you would have invested too much time and energy to start all over again and end up giving in!
Do: Make Your Booking Ahead Of Time
You can save a lot of money on direct flights when you book ahead. Some airlines offer a good discount – sometimes up to 30% off – on their regular prices if you book three or more months ahead. According to data, booking domestic flights 28 to 35 days before departure can save an average of 10% compared to waiting until two weeks or less before flying. This is a good option for those sure about traveling for the holidays, conferences, conventions, etc.
Don’t: Book Last Minute
Many people believe they can grab a good deal if they wait until the very last minute to book a flight. However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, you will probably end up spending more money – and not to mention the added stress!
Do: Grab A Hot Deal While It Lasts
Sometimes, an airline can make a mistake fare when it accidentally discounts a ticket much lower than intended. This can mean significant savings for travelers – sometimes up to 90% off! However, these fares can disappear as fast they appear, so be vigilant in spotting it quickly and grabbing the deal.
Don’t: Wait Too Long To Grab A Deal
Deals come and go, and prices will continue to fluctuate based on demand, airline sales, and seat availability. So, there is no foolproof formula for getting the cheapest rates. Waiting too long to grab a deal can be a mistake because it can be there one minute and gone the next.
Do: Book A Different Airline For Each Leg Of The Trip
People prefer booking connecting flights through the same airline to avoid spending extra time researching. However, booking a different airline for every leg of your journey can help you make huge savings while reducing the chance of spending extra money in terminal shops during stopovers.
Don’t: Overlook Checking The Halt Time Between Connecting Flights
Travelers who want to benefit from cheap air tickets fall for an often-overlooked scam: the unmarked halt time between connecting flights. For example, a ticket that is $50-100 cheaper can cost you more than a direct flight when you end up shopping or having expensive meals during stopovers!
