Discover The Secrets To Finding The Cheapest Flight: Last Minute Vs. Booking In Advance
We all know searching for a cheap flight can be a hassle. But with the right advice, you’ll never have to pay full price for airfare again. With only slight tweaks, you can discover the secrets to finding the cheapest airfare every time.
Do you book last minute or book in advance when trying to find a cheap flight? Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s see how each fares.
Booking in advance can be a great way to score a cheaper flight. Airlines often offer discounts for early birds – known as advanced purchase discounts – to encourage people to book as far in advance as possible. You might also save money by booking during the middle of the week, as most airlines put up their ticket prices on Fridays and Sundays. Plus, if you’re flexible with dates, you could potentially fly on days where prices are cheaper.
On the other hand, a last minute flight has its own pros. Airlines often have seats to fill about a week or two before the flight takes off. If you’re willing to take a risk, this might be a great opportunity for you to snag a last minute, discounted ticket. Just be prepared for unpleasant surprises if your plans change.
When looking for the best price rental car, there are some things to bear in mind: availability, margin, and hidden fees. Make sure you compare rental car prices before you purchase. There are lots of sites available online that will compare prices for you – no need to embark on a wild goose chase. You can also try to push for an upgrade – some vendors may offer an upgrade at a reduced rate.
Sometimes, the cheapest ticket may not offer the best value. When it comes to airline tickets, it definitely pays to do your own research. Do not simply go with the cheapest fare – consider the layover, the comfort level of the plane, the possible packages and so on. Look for customer reviews online, if available.
Furthermore, if you’re travelling with a group, it may be worth paying more for direct flights as the time saved making connections could outweigh the extra cost. Also look into multi-stop tickets. They might cover your destinations for a fraction of the price, since the airline can fill up extra seats at an affordable fare.
Try Alternative Airlines
Booking with budget airlines may allow you to save a significant amount of money. Just make sure to check their locations – some budget airlines might fly into a more distant airport. That said, sometimes it’s cheaper to pay for a cab or train to get to your destination than to fly with the budget alternative.
Don’t forget a rewarding card either. Airline loyalty programs enable you to accrue miles over multiple trips. Eventually, you can redeem them for tickets or other awards, such as upgrades. Just make sure to check the terms & conditions associated with redeeming your miles.
Savvy travellers should also search in multiple currencies. Different countries’ currencies vary in worth. If the currency you’re about to use is weak against the currency of the country you’re travelling to, it’s quite possible that the airline may put up special deals to try and attract customers.
Also consider using aggregator websites as a jumping off point for delving into the world of cheap airlines. Although these may carry a small booking fee, the cost savings you’ll receive should outweigh this. They will compare various prices and offer exclusive deals so you can score the best deals.
Know Your Dates & Locations
An important factor in finding a cheap flight is knowing the time of the year you’d like to travel and understanding the ideal locations. The key is to be flexible with your dates and your routes. For instance, travelling around holidays can be more expensive, whereas travelling midweek (typically Tuesday to Thursday) can be cheaper.
In addition, flying to secondary airports can be a great money saving option as well. Often, airport hubs are further away from the centre of town. Try looking into the nearby airports and find out whether the commute time and cost outweighs the potential savings.
Finally, travellers should understand their rights.
Unknowingly being bumped off a flight and having your plans thrown into disarray is the last thing you need. Do your research and be prepared for flight delays. Although you can’t control them, you can be ready, so arm yourself with the facts.
Take Advantage of Deals & Promotions
If you’re in it for the money, it pays to be flexible. Be open to new locations and dates, explore different search engines and sign up for travel-related deals. Use the search engines to explore where you can go given your budget. There are also websites with round the clock aeronautical tech support to enable you to fly to interesting locations.
Be sure to bookmark certain sites to better monitor and compare prices. You can even set up auto-alerts, so you’re informed whenever the prices on your desired routes drop. Additionally, if you have any questions about the flights, feel free to reach out to the operators directly and ask. This is the best way to get all the gory details of the flight you’re considering.
Taking advantage of promotional offers can also land you some great deals. Special offers can be seen on airline websites, travel websites, or even credit cards. Again, make sure to double check the fine print, so you don’t get surprised with any hidden fees.
Some loyalty programs may also offer extra perks like meal discounts, bonus miles and in-flight discounts. Of course, you need to join the loyalty program to be considered for these benefits. But it may be worth it if you’re a frequent flyer.
Utilise Technology & Apps
Keep an eye out for flight comparison apps too. They can help you get the best fares with the most flights options. Using these, you can browse for the cheapest fares available, identify hidden gems, and even find prices up to 90% below standard rates.
It can also be wise to use another location from which to purchase your flight tickets. Sometimes, even two neighbouring countries have different prices for flights – the same flight might be sold at an entirely different price in a nearby country. If you think about it, crossing the border can be a great money saving idea.
Moreover, for long-distance routes, opt for multiple layovers instead of a direct flight and see if it’s any cheaper. An added benefit of layovers is that you can have a quick city break for free.
Finally, while technology can help you save money, don’t use it as your only source of information. Social media, blogs and travel forums are great sources of information, since they often contain good advice about airports, deals and airlines everyone should know before planning their travel.
The Use of Airline Price Trackers
Airline price trackers are a powerful tool that is often unnoticed. Price trackers can give you valuable information about flight price trends, so you can finally get the best quotes with no effort. Often, these trackers will show you the range of prices for a certain route. This allows you to decide when to purchase your ticket to get the best deal.
Price trackers also give you currency conversion details, so you can check whether it’s better to purchase your tickets in US dollars or in the country’s local currency. Some price trackers also send email alerts whenever a special deal pops up – so you can rest assured you won’t miss amazing offers for your desired route.
What’s more, some price trackers suggest alternative routes to your destination. Imagine finding a flight to your chosen destination is sold out on your desired holiday – with a price tracker, you can be informed of alternative routes to get there.
The Benefits of Flight Aggregating Sites
Have you ever heard of ‘flight aggregating sites’? Flight aggregating sites are a great way to compare multiple flights in one place. They can be incredibly helpful when looking for a cheap flight, as they display a wide range of flight information in an easy-to-read format. What’s more, they can also give you access to secret ‘unpublished fares’ with discounted packages, free upgrades or other perks.
Flight aggregating sites can also give you an in-depth look into the flights that you’re interested in. They break down the different segments of a journey and list out the airline information too. So you can compare flights from multiple airlines as well. Plus, they also offer customer reviews and ratings on certain airlines and flights.
When using these sites, make sure to look under ‘more filters’ and find other variables to compare to, such as the duration of the flight and the ticket class. Keeping a keen eye on the features provided will help you snag special deals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are some helpful tips for finding the cheapest flights?
A: Bear in mind availability, margin, and hidden fees when looking for rental cars. Be flexible with dates and routes, and take advantage of deals and promotions. Explore flight comparison apps and flight aggregating sites, and use airline price trackers to make informed decisions.
Q: What is an unpublished fare?
A: Unpublished fares are fares which are only offered by certain airlines at heavily discounted rates. These fares can be accessed through flight aggregating sites.
