Use these 10 booking tips to save money on your flights, so you can put more into your massages and mojitos!
1. Search for flights on a Tuesday
Most airline sales start after 3pm on Tuesdays. Strange but true!
2. Fly on Tuesday or Wednesdays
While this one might not always hold true, it’s a good rule of thumb.
3. Be flexible
If possible, do not restrict your departure and return dates as fares can jump substantially from one day to the next.
We love SkyScanner to select the cheapest days. Instead of selecting a date, just select a “departure month” and “return month” so you can play around to secure the least expensive combination. Another brilliant site is Google Flight Search which offers the same functionality.
4. Use “incognito” web browsers to search for flights
Make sure you either clear your “cookies/cache” or browse from an “incognito/private” browsing window each time you make a flight search. There is growing opinion that airlines track IP addresses who search for particular flights and increase the price every time you search.
5. Sign up for email alerts
Be-friend all major airlines and the budget ones too!
6. Book domestic flights as though you are already in the country
For example, a domestic flight within the United States will be usually less expensive than booking it while you are still in Australia.
To “pretend” you are already in America, on the chosen Airline’s website, set your country to the United States instead of Australia and purchase in USD. You will usually find a drop down box in the right hand corner to choose a language and country. You will find more flight options too!
Obviously this one is not as easy when the native language is not English but will work well most of the time!
7. Book early
At least 3-4 months prior to your trip, if you can. Seven weeks out seems to be the ‘sweet spot’. Flights will also be notoriously more expensive inside two weeks of your travel date.
8. Add stopovers en route
Naturally the preference is to fly direct to your chosen destination, however if you are prepared to include stopovers/layovers, the prices can drop dramatically. They can also be the perfect opportunity to give restless little flyers a chance to run around and a change of scenery.
9. Check for alternative airports
Most major cities may have alternative airports. For example Heathrow Airport in England is a major melting pot so you could choose to fly into Gatwick Airport which may be less expensive and only an hour’s drive away.
10. Avoid school holidays
In your departure city AND your destination (if at all possible!). While school work is incredibly important, not all classrooms have four walls.
