Updated September 2024
Everyone wants to get the best price on air. It’s a moving target nowadays, but with these insider tips, you can avoid being the one who paid too much for your airfare. As travel has soared, so have airfares. To save as much money as you can, follow these tips for getting the lowest price on airfare.
Tip 1: Research
This is easily done if you use a site like Google Flights that aggregates flights from many airlines. You can see different airlines, fare classes. It will tell you if fares are historically low or high. If your dates are flexible you can see which dates will save you the most money.
Tip 2: Set a Price Alert
Most U.S. airlines now allow you to change flights without a change or cancellation fee. Avoid airlines that do not permit this. After checking the rules on your chosen airline, book your flight. But then set a price alert, so you can rebook when the price drops. Depending on the airfare and the fare class you book, you will likely receive the difference as an e-credit for a future flight.
To research airfare prices, after we book with the airline website, we use Google Flights and enter our flight information. Once we find the flight we booked we hit the “Track Prices” button and enter our email address. As prices go up and down, we receive alerts. Google Flights even tells if the prices are typically high or low for that flight. Finally, if your plans are flexible, there is a nice grid that allows you to see the lowest priced date combinations to get the best price on air.
We set alerts for our personal travel after we have booked a flight. That’s because we use airlines that let us rebook and give us e-credits for the difference if the fare comes down. But we have to know when that fare drops. The flight alerts make it easy. Doing this has saved us hundreds of dollars.
Tip 2: Which Days of the Week Have the Best Prices?
To get the best price on air, generally avoid flying on Mondays and Fridays when business travelers fill the skies. Look at fares for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Sundays.
Tip 3: When to Get the Best Price on Airfare?
Historically the best price on air is one to three months before the trip for domestic US flights and two to eight months for international flights. For peak season dates like spring break, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, you should book three to seven months out for domestic and four to ten months for international. Many factors, such as the popularity of the flight, can impact prices. And don’t be afraid you are paying too much because you will use Tip #1.
Tip 4: Get The Best Price on Air for a Cruise
We have seen hundreds of people on a single cruise miss it because a storm blanketed the nation on the day the cruise began. That’s why we always recommend you fly in a day or two before the cruise starts rather than the day of the ship’s departure. Trust us, it relieves the worry of missing your cruise departure and you can start your cruise relaxed and happy.
Given the recent performance of certain airlines, it makes more sense than ever. Think about all the people who missed their cruises last year when Southwest melted down. It’s worth it to go a day early and spend the night in a nearby hotel. Travel agents keep lists of hotels that have shuttles to the cruise port.
Once you know which flights you want, because you followed our advice and used Google flights, check to see how much the cruise line’s airfare price is. More and more, cruise lines are offering great prices on published fares. Even if it is the same, most cruise companies guarantee they will take care of you if your air goes awry, and you miss the boat.
Tip 5: Ask Your Travel Agent to Look For Consolidator Fares
Consolidator fares are somewhat like wholesale. They are regular seats on regular flights that still earn frequent flier miles. Basically, the airlines sell some of these seats in bulk to the consolidator who offers them through travel agents. We use reputable consolidators. At times our clients have saved thousands of dollars on airfares, especially on international flights. Ask your travel advisor to check for you.
Tip 6: For Getting the Best Price on Air –Nonstop Charter Flights
If you are going to popular vacation spots, there are travel companies who offer great resort and air packages with charter non-stop flights. These are available for popular destinations like Cancun, Jamaica, and Riviera Maya. Packages with nonstop charter air are possible out of airports such as Chicago, Lansing, Cleveland, Detroit, and more. If you thinking of an all-inclusive resort, ask us to check on this money saving option.
Airlines are always changing their rules, but if you use these tips for getting the best price on airfare, you have upped your chances of saving some money. That means more margaritas!
Tip 7: Know Your Rights
While it does not cover anything, the Department of Transportation has done a good job of pushing airlines to agree to provide you more rights when you fly. Check out the Airline Customer Service Dashboard.
Tip 8: Sign Up for the Airline’s Frequent Flyer Program
These programs are free to join. For airlines like Delta, your miles never expire and you get extra perks like free wi-fi onboard many flights. Most airlines offer similar programs.
What More Great Travel Tips?
Read our 16 Tips for Surviving Air Travel.
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