As ticket prices for air travel continue to climb, the pursuit of inexpensive flights has become a full-time endeavour. But booking your ticket doesn’t have to be stressful if you know the tricks to finding the cheapest flight around. These 11 insider tips will get you to your destination in style without emptying your wallet in the process.
1. Remember the 24 hour rule. Many fliers don’t realize that most airlines will actually give you a rebate if the price of your flight drops within 24 hours of purchase. After you buy your ticket, keep an eye on the price. If it drops, give the airline a call immediately.
2. Book at the last minute. Although impossible to plan for, last-minute deals offer some of the best bargains in airfare. Just as hotels frequently drop the price of rooms at the last second, airlines will often try to entice passengers with last minute deals to fill seats that would otherwise go empty.
3. Book your ticket on Tuesday. The computer algorithms which control airline ticket rates are complex and not easily understood; however, what is clear is that, at least statistically speaking, you’re most likely to get the lowest fare on your flight if you book on Tuesday, at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
4. Fly on Wednesday. Statistically speaking, Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly. Passenger demand tends to dip in the middle of the week, meaning airlines are more flexible with ticket prices. In addition to cheap fares, the dearth of passengers will also increase your chance of getting a row to yourself.
5. Join your airline’s frequent flier program. These programs offer more significant incentives than many travelers realize. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can rack up enough points for a free flight; not to mention extras like free flight upgrades and lounge access.
6. The early bird gets the worm. If you’re willing to skip breakfast, you might find yourself with a cheaper flight. Flights which leave at the crack of dawn are usually cheaper – and are much more likely to run on schedule. If you absolutely can’t pull yourself out of bed, the next cheapest time to fly is in the early afternoon, just after lunch.
7. Don’t book too early. Conventional wisdom states that the earlier you book your flight, the better the price you’ll get; however, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Airlines operate on the assumption that if you book early, you have very specific travel needs – and you’re willing to pay to make sure they’re met. So when is the best time to book? If you’re not flexible on travel dates, it’s best to book your flight 6 weeks in advance.
8. Check with the actual airline. The vast majority of travelers now book their tickets through third-party discount services like Cheapflights, Expedia and Travelocity; however, these services don’t always have the best deals. It’s increasingly the case that airlines reserve their very best fares for customers who book directly through the airline.
9. Be flexible. Simply shifting your itinerary by a day or two can often make several hundred dollars difference in the fare you receive. Before you book, experiment with different flight schedules to find what’s cheapest.
10. Shop for flights in the morning. Although the computer programs which control ticket pricing are constantly updated, most major fare roll-outs and discounts are applied to tickets in the early morning hours. Smaller carriers like Ryanair and Easyjet also tend to follow this pattern.
11. Mix airlines. Don’t assume that booking your entire itinerary through the same airline will be the least expensive option. If you’re willing to put up with a bit more time or a few more connections, mixing carriers can generate a significantly less expensive overall ticket price.