Save Money on Airfare with 5 Easy Tips

With the spring and summer travel season fast approaching, it’s time to think about booking airline tickets. Air travel is expensive – especially for families when you have to purchase more than one or two tickets. Here are 5 tips for saving money on airfare – saving more money for traveling again. That’s my favorite type of savings!

Save Money on Airfare with 5 Easy Tips

1. Check prices :: Start checking at least 6-8 weeks in advance on multiple websites and computer devices to get a price baseline. You are most likely to get the best price in the 6 to 8 week time frame prior to departure. Check Multiple sites to see what different prices are being offered and multiple devices because those insidious sites will attach their ‘cookies’ and prices will go up. You can also clear your cookies – but try doing both to make sure you’ve got the best deal. We’ve used Kayak, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia. Several of the sites are getting bought by one another right now so be aware of consolidations.
2. Fly day vs. buy day :: Least expensive airfares tend to be on fly days of Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The least expensive day to buy or actually purchase your tickets are Mondays and Tuesdays – and now it’s migrated to Saturdays as well. How to know which is best? Check early in the week and then check Saturday. Time it so that it’s middle of the day, eastern time.
3. Be flexible :: If you can shift a day or two on departure and arrival, that can provide savings. Also, if you can be flexible with airports, that can help, too. We’re flying to San Francisco soon for a wedding but we may fly into San Jose or Oakland, depending on air ticket prices and if we can skip renting a car. Flexibility with timing during your day can provide savings, as well. Flying early in the morning or very late at night can save big bucks. Keep in mind your ‘all in cost’ – if you arrive in the middle of the night and your friend won’t pick you up or you need a hotel room, that’s probably not a savings.
4. Check again :: After checking multiple sites (and Southwest, who’s isn’t included in fare aggregator sites), then on another or new device, check the website of the actual carrier to verify you are getting a good price. Have you run out of devices? Go to the library and check prices there, too.
5. Use miles to buy tickets :: While this is carrier specific, this can provide a big savings. Don’t fly often? What about your credit card program? Lots of credit cards provide airline credit ‘miles’ and you can use those miles to get tickets. If you’re getting a new credit card, often times one of the perks is a ‘companion ticket’ when you sign up. Using credit cards to your benefit can save.

Spring and summer will be here before we know it. Plan ahead for buying airline tickets and you won’t get stuck paying high prices for you or your family. With these 5 tips you’ll save and be able to travel again – sooner rather than later. Add more money to my travel budget? Yes, please!

Where do you want to travel next? Any big plans? Any big travel dreams?

Go Gingham related links:

“6 Essential Items for Air Travel” including how to limit drooling on your neighbor!
Travel packing tips with a PDF chart are here
Travel tips for a trip or stay-cation around the Northwest
Save money on your next trip: before and during – easy tips you’ll love!