When it comes to booking your next adventure abroad, a work trip or to visit family somewhere else in the country, it pays to know where to start if you want to save a bit of money on your flight. Getting the most out of your travel budget involves spending as little as possible on your airfare, all the while remaining practical and ensuring that you’re not overcomplicating the process for yourself too. Today, we’ll explore a couple of ways for you to save a bit of money on your airfare, including keeping an eye on the type of ticket you’re buying, when you’re buying it, and how you can use other institutions to piggyback a couple of your rewards too.
The Best Ways To Save Money On A Flight
Layovers, Red Eye & Connecting Flights
Knowing the difference between a layover, red-eye and a connecting flight can help you to determine whether the price of the ticket works for you or not. A flight with a layover includes you having to spend one night in the transfer city, which often means the price of the flight is cheap, but most people don’t factor in that they’ll have to look (and pay) for overnight accommodation too. Don’t be fooled by the special deal that requires you to wait at the airport for 24 hours or more. A red eye is another way of cutting costs. Typically known as the earliest flight of an airline on a given day, the rates tend to be cheaper than in peak times. Connecting flights help to lower the overall cost of a ticket, but can involve rushing to and from gates, being worried about delays, and ultimately could even result in you missing your connection and having to rebook another ticket. Keep this in mind next time you think you’ve found a great deal.
Planning Ahead
Regardless of how you choose to travel, at the end of the day, the longer you plan ahead, the more likely you’ll find a cheaper price on your ticket. This is the case because airfare prices are based on demand, and closer to a given flight, demand is higher as there are limited seats available. By booking a ticket two months in advance, you’ll almost certainly find a better deal than you will two days before. The more you can plan your trip, and keep in mind the suggestions around the various types of flights you can book, the better the odds that you’ll save a bit of cash in the process too.
Planning Ahead
Using Miles and Cash Back Initiatives
Before you book your next plane ticket, check-in with your bank, or any other loyalty cards that you subscribe to, around special rates, discounts, or offers available as a result of your membership. A lot of banks offer cashback initiatives when booking certain tickets with their cards, which is another incentive that allows you to keep a bit of extra spending money in your back pocket once you’ve booked a ticket. Using travel miles is also a great way to get better rates or even get access to upgrades, so if you’re a frequent flyer, it makes sense to explore the benefits offered by your airline of choice. Do a bit of research on these initiatives, and you’ll save a lot in the long run.
Comparing Prices
Last but not least, make sure you’re comparing flight prices before you make a final choice about your booking. There are many websites dedicated to giving comparative summaries, which even give you a chance to “watch” flight overtime for when it’s price drops. Don’t book the first ticket that pops up, and don’t simply rely on the first offer that you see on Google. If you compare prices and also talk to friends and family about what they paid on their most recent trips, you may have a better idea about what to expect. A price comparison can mean a saving of hundreds of dollars down the line, which is a welcome thought in the current economic climate. Happy travels!