Booking flights can be expensive. there are some good deals out there, but they can be hard to find. The more flexible you can be regarding booking and travelling, the more money you can save. But how can you save money on your flights?
When Is The Cheapest Time To Fly?
The price of the same flight varies depending on when you fly. The day of the week can make a big difference. Airlines price their tickets by how popular the flight is. This means that flights that are midweek tend to be cheaper as they are less desirable. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays tend to be the most popular and therefore the most expensive times to fly.
Some flights are more desirable because of the time of the flight. Nobody wants to fly at 6 am. Therefore, these flights are cheaper. The same can be said about overnight flights or flights with layovers.
Avoid travelling during school holidays as there is more demand for flights during school holidays and so the cost increases. If you have to travel during school holidays, check out international airlines. For example, if you are travelling to Spain, look at using a Spanish airline. If the airline is based in a county with different school holidays, this could save you money.
The best month to fly will be based on your target destination. Research their peak season and try to get a flight at the beginning or end of the season for the cheapest flights. Also, try to avoid major holidays to get the cheapest flights.
Shop Around
This may seem obvious, and many people will look at different airlines to find the cheapest flights before they book. However, shop around for different airports. You may have to travel further, to begin with, but an airport further away may offer other cheaper airlines.
Similarly, shop around with how you buy your tickets. Sometimes the price of flights changes as more flights are sold. This could be as a result of your booking. The less availability, the more expensive the flight. Therefore, it can work out cheaper to buy flights for your group individually. This can ensure all flights are brought at the lower price they can be. This may mean some flights are cheaper than others but will ensure the total cost is the cheapest it can be.
The same can be said with buying return flights. It can sometimes work out cheaper to fly out with one airline but fly back with another. This is because airlines assume that you don’t have much choice as to if you go on holiday you have to return so they can hike up the return cost.
You should also shop around and look at what the cost of the flight includes. Sometimes cheaper flights can work out more expensive by the time you have added on luggage, meal and other expenses.
When Should You Book Your Flights?
Occasionally, airlines will have a deal on where it is cheaper to buy a flight just before you leave. However, generally speaking, the earlier you book your flights the better. Some flights are at their most expensive in the week leading up to departure.
If you plan to travel long-haul your best option is booking at least 2 months before departure. These flights tend to take longer to start increasing because airlines know these are significant purchases and you are less likely to book without careful planning. To get the best deals on short-haul flights, however, you need to book at least 8 months in advance.
If your flight is during the off-peak season, prices don’t increase as much and so you have longer to make your booking and still get the best deal.
Getting The Best Deal On Your Flights
The best way to get the best deal on your flights is to research them. Using the above tips you should be able to find the best day, time and location to fly. Remember to book early and don’t be afraid to try new airlines or airports.
