When it comes to organizing our next trip, don`t we all like to find the best deal out there. In this guest post from Cheapflights UK you`ll be able to find some tips to help you out.
Airline ticket prices fluctuate daily, which leaves travelers confused and frustrated. Your time is too valuable to spend hours at a computer trying to find a good deal. Even though most of the fluctuations occur with no particular rhyme or reason, you can still save money by following a few simple tips.
What is the Cheapest Day to Fly?
One study found that the cheapest day to fly is on a Wednesday. The in-depth study used a historical airfare database to compare prices. Besides Wednesdays, you can also find cheaper tickets on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Try to avoid flying on Fridays or Sundays because these are usually the most expensive travel days.
When trying to find affordable plane tickets, also keep in mind that flight times make a difference. You can save a lot of money by booking an early morning flight, but you must leave your house before the sun comes up. Another great option is to book a red-eye flight.
When is the Best Time to Buy an Airline Ticket?
Although traveling on Wednesday is usually the cheapest, you should purchase your airline tickets on a Tuesday. The team who studied the historical airfare database also discovered that travelers usually saved money by purchasing tickets on a Tuesday instead of waiting for the weekend. The prices are generally higher Friday through Monday and lower Tuesday through Thursday.
Purchase Tickets for One Passenger First to Save on Trips for Two or More
If you buy four tickets at once, then the airline must charge you the same rate for each ticket. One way to receive a discount is to purchase one of your tickets separately. For example, the plane may only have two seats left at a discounted rate. Although making two separate transactions is a hassle, you can save a lot of money in the long run.
Understanding How an Airline Prices Tickets
While sitting on the plane, you can talk to multiple people about how much they paid for their plane ticket and hear all sorts of responses. Since the prices fluctuate depending on the day and time, people rarely pay the same price. Trying to understand how to get the best deal is tricky; you must know how the airline prices their tickets to tilt the playing field in your favour.
Make Sure to Check the Low-cost Airlines
Many people use comparison sites to find the best deal on airline tickets. However, certain airlines refuse to allow comparison websites to display their prices. Southwest and Ryanair are two examples of companies that you have to check with on your own. These low-cost airlines don’t always have the cheapest prices, but they are worth checking. In addition, make sure to compare baggage fees to see if the cheaper ticket is truly worth it.
Flexibility is Essential When it comes to Finding Cheap Tickets
You can save a lot of money by having flexible travel dates. For example, you can save money by switching your departure date from a Sunday to a Saturday. Some airlines even have a travel calendar so you can find the cheapest days of the month to travel. Along with that, you can even save money by having a flexible travel destination. If you don’t have a specific location in mind, consider picking a destination based on airline sales. While researching travel destinations, flight comparison sites are a good place to start as you may find discounted airline tickets to America, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Europe and other fun locations.
Avoid Traveling During Peak Seasons
When plane seats are limited, airlines benefit by charging travel surcharges. To prevent paying for travel surcharges, avoid flying during the busiest times of the year. Flying during the busy holiday season is bound to hit your pocketbook hard. More people travel in the summer, so you can usually purchase a cheaper ticket by waiting for the fall or winter to take a vacation.
Consider Flying from a Nearby Hub
If you live in a small town, consider flying out of a bigger airport. Bigger airports have more competition, which means that the prices are usually cheaper. Before choosing this option, make sure to factor fuel and parking costs into the equation. International flights are usually cheaper at bigger airports, so keep this option in mind if you plan on traveling overseas.
Avoid Waiting until the Last Minute
Purchasing a plane ticket at the last minute is expensive. In fact, you may have to spend upward of a $1,000 for a domestic ticket. For travel within the U.S., try to purchase your tickets within three to four months of the departure date. If you are traveling overseas, then you should buy the tickets four to five months in advance.
Make sure to avoid purchasing the tickets too far in advance. Some airlines allow customers to purchase tickets up to six months before the departure date; however, these tickets are usually more expensive. You should give the tickets some time to go down in price before spending your hard-earned money.
This post was brought to you in partnership with Cheapflights UK.
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