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How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight?

20 Sep 2023
Are you excited to go to the skies for the very first time, or are you a seasoned traveller looking forward to getting back on the aeroplane? Whatever your motivation, and despite the fact that plane tickets might be pricey, there are methods to save costs while making your travel arrangements. Here are certain approaches for obtaining the lowest ticket prices on flight booking that can help you save time and money.
How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight? © Chuttersnap / Unsplash

Early and Frequent Fare Check

Did you know that there is often a huge difference in price between the best and worst days to purchase an airline ticket? And it doesn't even account for the additional premium paid by customers who make a purchase in the following week of travel. Airlines often alter their prices many times a week. Therefore, time is crucial when purchasing an aeroplane ticket. The moment you find out you'll be travelling, we advise you to start looking into fares. Next, keep an eye out for deals consistently, ideally once a week. Additionally, whenever you locate a deal you like, act quickly since it might not last long.

Get Your Plane Tickets at the Right Time

The best way to save a lot of money on your next vacation is to get your plane tickets at the right time. Research indicates that the best time to purchase a domestic airline ticket is 49 days in advance (about 7 weeks). However, that figure might change significantly depending on when and where you go. If you wait until the last minute (within 2 weeks) or book far in advance (more than 5 months), you'll have to pay a hefty premium. The best time to book a ticket is typically between three weeks and four months in advance, however, this might change if you're flying during holidays or peak seasons.
How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight? © Firmbee.com / Unsplash

The Prices Vary Depending on the Day

There is often a significant price difference between flights on different days of the week. On average, domestic flights cost the least on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the highest on Fridays and Sundays. Instead of taking a vacation from Thursday/Friday to Sunday, think about going from Saturday to Monday or Tuesday. In general, if you have any leeway in your plans, it's a good idea to look at a wide range of possible days within the same time frame, since you never know which combination of dates will provide the best fare.

Keep the Seasons and Holidays in Mind

The time of travel can be as important as the time of purchase. It seems natural that flights over the holidays would be more costly than usual since the number of passengers on a trip is the primary factor determining the ticket price. Similarly, certain locations, particularly foreign ones, are quite seasonal in nature, so look into the off-seasons and high seasons for the regions you want to visit.
How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight? © Carlos Coronado / Unsplash

Find the Lowest Fares by Combining Different Airlines

You can make a round trip out of two one-way prices on different airlines by using the mix & match option available on several websites. Mix-and-match flight choices are helpful when an itinerary's best pricing necessitates using separate airlines for the outward and return legs of the trip, or when the airline offering the most suitable outbound route does not provide a suitable return flight.

Get Fare Alerts

Signing up for fare alerts or notifications is a great way to keep an eye on price movements. When there are just a few spots available, you'll know about the sale sooner and have a better chance of snagging one. Taking advantage of fare sales early might save you a lot.
How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight? © Ashim D'Silva / Unsplash

Expect To Pay More For Additional Bags

The luggage regulations of various airlines vary. Carry-on luggage may also incur a fee on select airlines. That must be considered in the final buying decision. Simply look at the airline's baggage fee while viewing travel choices on the booking site. You can also consider paying for your luggage in advance on the airline's website after purchasing your ticket since some airlines impose additional fees if you delay until you arrive at the airport to do so.

Look at Other Airport Options

Check both airports if there are many ones close to your starting point or final destination. The more flexible you can be with your departure and arrival points and dates, the better your chances of snagging one of the cheap tickets to your destination. Websites may automatically check a small number of nearby airports for you, but if you have flexibility in your airport choices, you should check all of them.
How to Save Time and Money When Booking a Flight? © Gabrielle Henderson / Unsplash

Split up Large Groups of People into Smaller Ones

This might sound strange, as more individuals going should theoretically result in a better fare. Unfortunately, "group savings" on plane tickets are a rarity. As a general rule, airlines have a limit on the number of discounted tickets they offer for each trip. This means that if you have a large group, you may end up paying more than you would have otherwise. How to know when? Find your whole group first to ensure the aeroplane has adequate seats. Search again for a lesser group. If the smaller group's tickets are cheaper, purchase them and then look for the rest of the group. If it saves money, it's worth the effort!

Save on Checked Baggage Fees by Using a Co-Branded Card

There's something more you should think about before making a flight purchase using a credit card. Free checked luggage is a common perk of airline co-branded credit cards. Certain co-branded credit cards provide a discount on airline tickets when paid for with the card; however, the card must be used at the time of booking the ticket in order to get the discount. There can also be other terms and conditions.

Air travel costs might add up, but that isn't always the case. Smart planning can save you a ton of money, whether you're buying with cash or utilising reward miles. You can use the money you save on flying to book delightful accommodations, premium restaurants, and new adventures.

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