5 facts to help you get the cheapest airfare
There are endless theories on how and when to book to secure the cheapest deal. But do they really add up?
1. There’s no ‘magic’ time to book
Many experts like to claim that there’s a specific day or time to book that will always guarantee the cheapest flights, like 11pm on a Tuesday or 6am on a Sunday. Or they will advise you to book a specific number of days before your flight. In reality, that’s rarely true. There are so many variables within the industry that it’s almost impossible to accurately predict an exact time to press that ‘purchase’ button.
2. Travel on unpopular days
This one does make sense and will definitely save you some money. As a general rule, travel midweek, in low season or out of school holidays to get the best fare. You also need to look at the specific circumstances of your destination. For example, if it’s a major business hub, early morning flights will be more expensive as corporate travellers want to arrive in time for a full day of meetings. Look at the flight pricing over the week and you should soon see a pattern for unpopular days or times.
3. Break up your booking
If you’re flying long haul, it can be cheaper to book your tickets as multiple separate flights rather than one long flight. For example, it can be cheaper to fly from Sydney to Hong Kong and then take a separate flight from Hong Kong to London. This is particularly true as more and more budget carriers begin flying from Asia. Just be aware that you will need to clear immigration, collect your baggage and check in again, so you’ll need to leave plenty of time in between flights.
4. Choose the right airport
Many major cities will have one primary airport and then one or more smaller, regional airports that are a short distance away. Think Melbourne’s Tullamarine close to the city and then Avalon further out. Fares to these smaller airports will almost always be cheaper and the difference can be significant. If you aren’t in a huge rush, try a flight into a smaller airport and a bus transfer to the main destination.
5. Sign up for alerts
Many airlines or booking sites (like Kayak) will let you sign up for alerts on changing prices. Enter your chosen route and time period (often up to a month) and when the price drops, you’ll receive an email with the new fares for your dates. It saves you from having to check the site every day and means you’ll never miss the latest deal.
Do you agree with these tips? Do you have any trip plans on the horizon, and if so where are you planning to go?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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