If you search the Internet for advice on
finding the best deals on airfare, you won’t have any problem finding a
lot of varying advice: buy early, buy late, sites claiming to have the
best deals, and others saying they have all the answers. In broad terms,
they are all correct - finding the best airfare comes down to muddling
through the clutter, and typically requires some searching, but the
money you’ll spend is well worth the effort. With a plan of attack and
clear goals, it’s easy to save yourself from the regret that comes with
realizing all too late that you paid all too much.
For airfare deals, book early or late?
It’s almost always best to book as early as possible, especially when flying internationally. While you might be able to book the best fares up until 21 days before departure, in practice, the sweetest deals are often gone weeks before that.The days of the week you travel can also have a drastic impact on your savings. According to a scientific study performed by researchers from Texas A&M University, the day you buy can also have a price impact. They found an average savings of five percent on tickets purchased on the weekend with the same routes and restrictions. They concede that part of the difference is due to business bookings on weekdays, but are doubtful that’s all it is.
Booking late can land great deals, but there are risks. It’s not advisable to hang your international vacation plans on last minute hopes. The ideal late strategies involve flexibility. If you want a weekend away and are willing to try one of a variety of destinations, try booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday the week before you want to go. LastMinute.com is a good resource and LicketyTrip.com has listings of vacation properties offering late deals.
Are you really saving?
So, you found a fare that saves you $250.00 by taking you through Dublin instead of connecting in Heathrow. Problem is, the layover is so long that you have to leave your hotel in Prague a day earlier in order to make the train to Munich to catch the flight. You are saving money on your hotel, but now you’re spending it on the train, and losing a night out in Prague. Everyone has their price point - where you decide if it’s worth it or not. Some people really like visiting different airports and people watching. Others are willing to pay more to spend even just minutes less. Travelers willing to experiment with different airports, connection times, and routes can save money - just be honest with yourself if that isn’t you. Hipmunk.com has an interesting sorting feature called “Agony” that takes into account duration and number of stops.How to earn and use your airline miles wisely
Got a mileage card? Do you use it for almost everything? Here’s some ways to get miles on the card you might not have considered. Most car dealers will allow you to put a few thousand dollars on a credit card for down payment. Instead of writing the dealer a check, charge the down payment, then pay the balance on your credit card bill. Have a card that gives minimum miles for any purchase? That’s your card for coffee, ice cream, or a burger. When it’s time to redeem, use your miles wisely. Choosing to spend miles on a domestic ticket or an upgrade can be a waste. Don’t use 25,000 miles each for two ticket that costs $300 or $400, spend them on an international vacation. Usually, you can book a stopover that might cost hundreds into a mileage itinerary for very little extra money. Get miles every way you can, then choose carefully where you use them.Booking site strategies
The best advice is no surprise, shop around. Check meta sites like Kayak.com and aggregates like CheapTickets.com. After you’ve done that, check the airline sites directly. If you find the same prices all around, don’t worry, the times you save yourself a couple of hundred dollars will more than make up for it. If you can handle a little extra email, sign up for newsletters and price-change alerts. Don’t look at it like a chore, think of searching for the best ticket as a quest.With just a little research and some of the creative techniques outlined, it’s easy to find the best fares that allow you to get the most out of your travel dollar.