Planning a trip always sounds fun, right? Choosing the destination, creating the itinerary, shopping, and packing - it's always an exceptional experience. But booking the flight tickets can be a headache sometimes. With the crazy fluctuation in flight fares and hidden charges creeping in, it's not always a pleasant experience for a traveller. You need to have the right strategy to make sure you do not end up paying more than necessary for your flight bookings. In this blog, we will talk about everything you need to know to save the most on air tickets, from the best time to book to which website to trust, baggage fees, extra charges, and all of it. Know that if you want to make your journey smoother and more affordable, you have to master the airline hacks without fail, and here we are to do precisely that.
Book well in Advance
You must have heard about it before, and this is the thumb rule: if you want to grab cheap flights, book in advance. It is one of the best ways of securing low airfare as airlines often release air tickets at affordable fares, and they gradually increase as the departure day approaches. You also get more options for flights according to your departure preferences. The chances of you getting your preferred seat are also high if you opt for advance flight ticket booking.
Use Social Media deals to book flights
You can get amazing deals and big discounts through social media bookings. Keep an eye on the social media pages of the renowned airlines; they tend to run offers and deals every now and then. They usually announce flash sales, coupon codes, promotional deals, and even last-minute ticket sales. You can also be vigilant about your credit/ debit card offers and discounts on flight bookings. Even various apps like UPI and shopping applications run good deals on occasions, which you can take advantage of.
Take advantage of airline loyalty Programs
As a frequent flyer, earning miles on your flights can bring so many perks to you in the long run. If you are a loyal customer, the loyalty programmes are considered to be the best way to save on flights. Many times, the airline itself updates you about the ongoing deals and discounts. Under this, you can avail of many benefits like welcome bonus, cashback points, free lounge access, and even coverage on flight cancellations.
Compare the Price
It is one of the most underestimated ways, but it can yield big benefits to you as a flyer. It is advisable to compare air fares on different websites before you book your flight tickets. Switching search engines to find the best deals is also one of the most innovative ways you can opt for. Do not forget to open the browser in incognito mode before going through the flight booking websites.
Be Flexible with dates
Try to be flexible with the day and time of travel. Most of the time, you can get significantly low prices on particular days of the month that you do not get otherwise. Follow the 21-day rule, state checking for the cheapest days in the month for your selected destinations, and try to make your itinerary accordingly. For instance, for most airlines, flying mid-week can be beneficial, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as the demand is higher on the weekends, resulting in the air fares rising more than usual.
Choose a Nearby Airport
Do not limit yourself to just the popular airports when you do your flight bookings. You can save a good chunk of money if you research a bit and opt for less well-known, slightly farther airports. Smaller airports or secondary airports often offer lower prices and less traffic, which leads to cheaper fares. Many travellers know this truck and use it to choose budget carriers, availing the deals that you might not find at major hubs. For instance,choosing your departure and arrival at an infamous airport.
Take the Long Way and Pay Less
There is no doubt that direct flights are more convenient and also save time, but we cannot deny that they come with a higher price tag. Instead, try considering flights with one or two layovers in between; it can sometimes save a surprising amount of money. People prefer quick and nonstop travel, so airlines charge more for direct routes. However, airlines frequently reduce fares to fill seats if you're ready to spend a bit more time travelling between airports. Moreover, connecting flights give you more route alternatives, which means you can locate better prices or less expensive carriers that don't fly directly.
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