People are always talking about travel hacks when it comes to booking flights, but do they really work? Some frequent flyers just get lucky with deals, but there are a few things you can do to save yourself money when planning your next flight.
Fly on a Tuesday? Is it a myth or reality that flying on a Tuesday is usually cheaper? Okay so this won’t always be the case. It really does depend on the time of year, your destination and the airline you are booking with. However, there is so truth behind this ‘cheaper flights on a Tuesday rumor’. If you think about it logically the more popular dates will sell faster and prices will be higher. For example, Friday and Saturday flights to a city might be more expensive as this is when most city breakers want to fly. Mid-week tends to be less popular so these are the days you will get your good deals. Tuesday being one of those less popular days to travel therefore there are more deals to be had on this day.
Weigh your bags—and avoid baggage fees. You should always check the baggage fees for the airline you are booking with. The first price you see for a flight is not always the price you will pay so decide how much baggage you will need to bring before booking. Checked baggage can be expensive on short haul flights, but cabin bags are usually free for a certain size. Some domestic flights for example Kulula flights, offer a free 44 lbs checked baggage allowance when you book.
Before you go to the airport weigh your own bags to make sure they are within the carriers’ limit. Preventing the chance of a hefty baggage charge when you arrive at check in.
Things you should consider:
- The size and weight restrictions for cabin baggage
- Costs and weight limits for checked baggage—is it included or does it cost extra
- Any excess baggage fees
- Using packing cubes to compact your luggage (see packing cube reviews here)
Consider the airport you are flying from. You might not always get the best deals flying from your nearest airport. You should check prices from other nearby airports to your destination as airlines differ as well as demand making the costs fluctuate. If you are travelling to Croatia for example, a low-cost airline might fly from an airport further away but you will still save money compared to flying with a larger airline from your local airport. Take into account travel costs and time taken to get to the airport and you might find there are deals to be had a bit further afield.
Book ahead or at the last minute. The trick to booking flights is to either book in advance or to book deals closer to the departure date. For long haul, booking in advance will usually save you money and prevent you paying the price hikes when demand grows nearer the time. However, for short haul, its usually best to keep an eye out for the best deals nearer to booking unless it is a particularly popular time of year.One things for sure, don’t just turn up at the airport expecting to get on a flight for next to nothing. This really doesn’t happen very often.
Do you have a favorite tip to booking the best flights? How do you get the best deals when planning your next flights? Let us know on our social platforms.
Photo by Matthew Smith
Katrina Denning
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