How to Find Cheap Air Tickets
Airfares have been rising as airlines attempt to offset higher fuel costs with higher fares. This has encouraged travelers to be flexible about their plans, which could result in significant savings.
Purchasing airline tickets is a highly regulated process that’s usually managed by travel agencies or travel management firms. These agents must hold an appropriate license in order to sell tickets on behalf of airlines.
Price Alerts
Flight search aggregators and online travel agencies (OTAs) often offer price alerts for specific trips, destinations or routes. These services are usually free, helping you stay abreast of prices while booking your next flight with confidence.
Google Flights, for instance, allows you to track prices for flights from one airport to another and from a single destination. It even displays prices across all airports in an area, which may be beneficial when there are cheaper fares available from different airlines at different destinations.
Kayak does a good job of tracking prices and sending you notifications when they drop below average. All you have to do is click the price alerts button under your profile in the personal account, set it up, and get notifications!
Skyscanner also provides a price alert feature that monitors prices for selected flights and sends email updates whenever they change. You can select flexible dates or select from the top 25 cities to receive notifications about popular destinations around the world.
Signing Up for Preferred Status
Airline status may not be for everyone, but the rewards can be worth all the effort. Most airlines provide some form of elite status that is usually determined by miles flown and dollars spent. Status can provide a variety of additional advantages and perks, from free checked bags to access to the business class lounge or even an upgrade on lower class flights. To maximize your membership benefits, read all details carefully. Likewise, don’t be afraid to ask for a quote if you have questions about an airline or their programs. Utilizing this strategy will guarantee that you receive the most bang for your buck and guarantee your next flight is one of a kind.
Checking the Airline’s Website
When looking for the cheapest airline ticket, booking directly through the carrier can often be more convenient than going through an online travel agency. Plus, check the carrier’s website for special offers and deals that may not be displayed on third-party sites.
Additionally, a quick visit to the airline’s website can provide helpful tips for making your trip run as efficiently as possible. You can sign up for flight notifications, upgrade your seat and pay any baggage fees before heading off to the airport.
Another useful gadget is the airline website-specific seat map. This tool comes in handy if you’re having difficulty choosing between window or aisle seat, giving you a glimpse into the aircraft interior and distinguishing between them, plus highlighting any special features that might interest you. Plus, this site works on mobile devices or browsers so you can take your pick from home!
Taking a Direct Flight
Air tickets are an easy and stress-free way to reach your destination without any delays. Plus, they often cost more than connecting flights for added savings on airfares.
When planning a flight, the type of connection you make is critical. Nonstop and direct options are the two most popular choices.
These flights offer the greatest convenience, as they don’t include any stops and transport you directly from your departure airport to your destination city.
However, they can be more expensive than connecting flights.
Furthermore, international travelers may need to go through customs and immigration multiple times. This can present a major hurdle.
If you are traveling from a major airline hub, there is likely the option of booking nonstop flights. While these tend to be the most popular choices, they can also be more expensive.
