Tired of paying a fortune for airfare? Today I have 6 Ways to Save on Airline Flights. These are simple hacks you can try to make sure you are getting the lowest price. Some of these you may already know but I bet you’ll find one or two new tips on this list!
:: Do Your Research
Many people simply call the airline and accept whatever rate is quoted them. By simply getting online and running a search through any number of travel sites, savings are there to be had. Commit to doing a fair amount of research before ever committing to a ticket and you are ahead already. I love using Kayak.com. This site allows you to check multiple airline’s sites and takes you directly to the site offering the discount.
:: Think about When You’re Traveling
Did you know that airlines drop their prices dramatically on certain days of the week? Traveling on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays will net you huge savings most of the time. Traveling during the off-season is yet another way to save money.
:: How Much Did That Cost?
If you are not asking questions about the various fees the airlines charge, you are losing money. Make a list of the various airlines that you might consider flying on and figure out how much the extras cost: bag fees, pet travel, boarding fees and anything else they might charge. Find out how much extra you need to add to the ticket price and you will save by making a better choice.
:: Buy Directly from the Airline
Although this is not always the case, buying directly from the airline is usually a way to save money. All you have to do is find out if there are any perks available or special discounted flights. If not, then there is a good chance you will find a better deal on one of the discount websites. Again, I like to use Kayak.com because it searches all the airlines websites at once and lets you buy directly from the one with the best flight options.
:: Follow-Up on Your Ticket Purchase
Did you know that many airlines will price match? Once you purchase your tickets, keep checking the price of your flight. If you find it drops, call them on it. Airlines often will match their price and refund you the difference. Do the homework and make sure you are getting the best deal.
:: Be a Flexible Flyer
If you are willing to accept layovers, have plenty of connecting flights or even take a red eye flight, then you will almost certainly find ways to save money. When airlines overbook flights and offer free flights for the following day or waiting on a later connecting flight, jump all over them. You can have your next adventure for free!
How do you save money on your flights?
So how do you find out if the flight your on is overbooked? and how do you take advantage of the red eye or next flight. How does this work?
Usually they will announce it as they are trying to board the flight. Or you can ask when you check in. You can book red eye flights when you are booking your travel. On Expedia or Kyak they will have a little eye icon next to them. On an actual airline’s website a red eye is usually flights that leave later than 10 or 11pm.
As a college student with big traveling dreams, I really appreciate this post. I want to go anywhere and every where, but I also don’t plan on spending a ton of money to get there. Another tip is being flexible on location. If you are just looking for a get away without an actual destination in mind then it can be worth it to check out the cheaper flights available during the time you plan to travel. I found a flight into Alaska for $180 round trip, compared to most of the flights during that time were $300+
Depending on what city you’re headed to, flying into alternate airports can save airfare if you’re willing to drive a little further to get to your destination.
What is a red eye flight?
This is a flight that travels overnight or after 11pm.