As the festive season is fast approaching, most travelers are faced with the challenge of having to pay exorbitant fares both locally and internationally, as this has been the case over the years. Travelers can however, cut costs and travel cheap by availing themselves of relevant information.
Also, some travelers had recounted their experience of seeing certain amount on airline ticket, walked away from their computers for a few minutes, and then returned only to find that the fare has just been adjusted upward. Such frustration is common these days, but airfares haven’t always been so fickle!
Before the airlines were deregulated in 1978, the government approved ticket prices, which remained so consistent that they were printed in timetables. Today, airfares can change several times a day as airlines attempt to set fares low enough to fill the seats on an aircraft but high enough to maximise profit.
Not only are airfares becoming more unpredictable, they are also becoming more expensive. According to a report by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average domestic fare in the United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) increased 8.4 percent between 2010 and 2011.Ticket prices for flights originating in Madison, Wis., experienced the greatest increase of any city in the study: a wallet-choking 17.5 percent [source: BTS].
One very important thing for travelers to do is to travel at the cheapest times. The price of flights varies considerably depending on the month, day and even time of travel. Travelers can use skyscanner to compare flight prices across a whole month or year. This will enable them see the cheapest days to fly, saving them a potential packet.
Avoiding the weekends can make a huge impact on the price of flights. Why not compare travel from a Wednesday to Wednesday rather than a Friday to Friday. Using skyscanner’s handy search tool, travelers can see a graph view of the cheapest days of the week to fly.
One thing that cannot be overemphasized when talking about best ways of cutting cost when booking flights is booking in advance. The only tried and tested way to secure the cheapest means of travel is to book in advance. If a traveler is to travel by plane, then he needs to book his tickets as early as possible, this will ensure he get the best possible deal and also gives him the freedom to compare quotes.
Comparison sites such as Kayak Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity are always the best place to start, and remember if you can travel midweek as opposed to the weekend then you will always save money.
In addition, travel reward cards have also proven to be helpful. One great tip for cheaper travel around the festive period is to pay invoices and expenses during the year with a business credit card that earns frequent-flier miles.
If a traveler does not have access to a business account he can always look at other offers during the early part of the year, other varieties of credit cards can reward him with air miles too. It is a simple strategy to earn free tickets just for paying the bills. Travelers should always remember that this depends on their financial situation and their intentions. If they can pay off the balance every month and simply use the cards as “plastic money,” then this system will reward them.
Also, flying from an alternative airport should be considered. Even though there may be an airport on your doorstep, don’t rule out the possibility that it may be cheaper to fly from one slightly further away. It may work out cheaper, even with the cost of a train or bus ticket to reach the alternative airport.
Travelers should also choose their destination carefully. If travelers know their only chance of a holiday will coincide with peak season, they should spend time considering their options. South East Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are still very affordable during peak season, even though their airfare will be pricier than usual. Similarly, they consider less obvious destinations like Vanuatu instead of Fiji.
If travelers are flexible with their travel dates, booking a mid-week flight will generally be less crowded and the most affordable of the week. Similarly, late-night and early-morning departure times are less-attractive for most travelers and are usually better priced.
Another important step to take in this regard is to double check baggage allowance. There is nothing worse than having to pay for luggage over the specified weight allowance. It’s needful travelers go easy on the shopping, which will be done to save cost.
So, is there still any hope for finding cheap airfares? Yes, there is, with a little bit of information that could make a whole lot of difference.
Ifeoma Okeke
