5 Tips for Getting the Best Deals on Flights this Year!

Airfare can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on your destination. However, it’s possible to save on airline tickets if you know when and how to shop for airfare. Read on for some helpful tips that will help you save on your next trip!

How Early Should You Book Your Flight?

You can save on airfare by tracking prices and booking your flight when a discount is available. The best time to buy an airline ticket depends on when and where you’re traveling.

For domestic flights, you’ll typically get lower prices if you book your flight two months in advance for summer trips and three months in advance for the rest of the year.

Airlines typically start selling tickets a year in advance. Prices will be high at first, but they will steadily drop over time and be at their lowest 100 to 20 days before the flight.

Waiting until the last minute to book your flight usually means you’ll pay a premium, but you can also find great deals if airlines are unable to book all the seats available.

The best time to book an international flight can vary depending on your destination and the season. For South America, it’s best to book your flight two months in advance. You should buy airfare three months in advance for trips to Africa and 100 days ahead of time for Europe and Asia.

Book on the Right Day

Airfare prices can fluctuate from one day to the next based on when airlines adjust their pricing. Typically, airlines will release discounts on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

Booking on Thursdays or Fridays means you’ll likely pay more. Instead, wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to ensure you get the best deals available. Plus, fewer travelers will be planning their trip during the midweek.

Should You Book Via an Airline or Travel Site?

Online travel agencies can offer appealing discounts, especially if you get a package with airfare, a hotel room, and a car rental. You can sometimes get additional discounts with coupons and other special offers.

However, booking directly with an airline can help you save money:

• Cancellation and change fees are usually lower
• It’s easier to get a refund if you have to cancel your trip
• There is much better customer support. Online travel agencies are currently struggling to keep up with flight cancellations and the post-COVID travel surge

Overall, you’ll get a better experience if you book airfare with an airline and the discount you can get through an online agency might not be worth it.

Be Flexible

Being flexible with your travel arrangements can help you save. You can, for instance, compare different travel dates to see which flights are the cheapest.

Being flexible with your destination can also help you secure a great deal, for instance, by flying to another nearby airport.

You should also consider flights with multiple stops and red-eye flights that tend to be cheaper. Plus, you can usually get lower prices if you fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Looking for last-minute deals might not be practical if you can’t be flexible with your dates or destination. However, booking your flight at the last minute can be a great way to find deals if you can be flexible with the airport you’re flying to or with your return date.

Use Your Credit Card Rewards

If you fly often, applying for a travel credit card can help you save on airfare and other expenses. It’s important to compare different credit cards since some will help you save more than others.

You can get an airline credit card to secure discounts on your next flight. An airline credit card is worth it if you often fly the same route and are confident you will book it again with the same airline.

You can also find credit cards that let you redeem rewards towards discounts on airfare and other travel expenses. These cards can help you save if you charge most of your monthly expenses and save all your points for your next trip.

Plus, some cards come with extras that can enhance your travel experiences, such as access to exclusive airport lounges or free checked bags.

Conclusion

Shopping around can help you save on airfare. If you’re planning a trip, you should start tracking prices as early as possible, compare what different airlines offer, and wait until you see lower prices to book your flight.