Airfares are expected to go up this summer, as if they weren't already high enough. However, there are some things you can do to spend as little as possible on a flight. Flights don't come cheap, but you can make them cheaper.
No one knows better about hot to get cheap flights than a website that's dedicated to finding them. InsanelyCheapFlights.com has shared some of their tips for finding cheap plane tickets and avoiding spending a lot on flights. The website's CEO, Steven Oliverez has five top tips to share.
Book Your Flight Early
Part of the airfare game is having a plan in advanced. However, you must also not book a flight too early. Ticket prices tend to increase up to two weeks before the flight. You could be taking a gamble by waiting until the last minute to see if ticket prices decrease. "If you really have to get to your destination, you'll have no choice but to pay the higher price," says Oliverez in a press release. However if travelers book a flight too early, prices can drop later on and you'll wind up paying more than others who got the later deal. Websites like Bing Travel try to predict airfare increases and drops so you can anticipate when a flight may be cheaper.
Compare Multiple Airports
Some cities have several airports nearby such as New York, which has JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and even Newark Airport within the area. Airline tickets can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on which airport you depart from. The trip to the airport itself may be longer, but it may be well worth the extra time to save money on expensive plane tickets.
Pack Light
Airlines charge a lot of money to check luggage. Fees can range from $40 to $100 depending on the air carrier. Oliverez suggests fitting more luggage into carry-ons for short weekend trips. "If you're taking a flight to Las Vegas for the weekend and can fit your clothes into a single carry-on, you can save $20 or more on fees for checked luggage," says Oliverez. Packing all your belongings into a limited carry-on may not be possible for every trip, but when possible, it saves money and time for checking luggage. Security lines are long enough. Travelers shouldn't have to waste more time checking their bags and waiting for the luggage to come around the carousel.
Package Your Trips
When planning a trip, book flights and hotels together. Packages are often cheaper than paying for flights and rooms separately, however many people don't take advantage of them."If you're flexible on your hotel choice, this may be the best way to save money," says Oliverez. Rental cars can also be part of a package if necessary, saving you even more money.
Get Discounts on Travel Sites
Travel websites sometimes give promo codes and online coupons for certain flight dates or routes as part of their specials. For instance InsanelyCheapFlights.com offers a promotional code to get up to $20 off a flight, which goes towards the annoying service fees.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
