While travel isn’t cheap in modern times, we do have numerous money-saving options when purchasing airline tickets. Methods of reducing the cost of flight include the following:
- Using one airline’s frequent-flyer program.
- Consulting online discount travel agents.
- Buying airline tickets through a regular, “offline” travel agent.
- Calling an airline directly.
- Checking the carrier’s Web site for weekly specials on airline tickets.
You can join some frequent-flyer programs by applying directly with a carrier. You can also do it by signing up for a credit card. With every credit card purchase you make and with every flight that you buy, you can earn accrue “points” that add up to free airline tickets. Credit card deals are often advertised by direct mail; you can also find them by typing “frequent flyer credit cards” into any Internet search engine.
If you do not belong to an airline’s frequent-flyer program, try all four of the other methods before purchasing a flight. Though online agents generally list the cheapest airline tickets, it’s best to check with a travel agent and with the carrier itself. It’s particularly wise to look at an airline’s Web site, which may post special deals on airline tickets on certain set days of the week.
There are other tricks to use when comparing airline tickets, either online or offline. First, be flexible about your departure and arrival airports. Small, cheap airlines fly into and out of small airports; any large carriers that use the same airports have to lower their own prices to compete.
Next, choose electronic airline tickets (e-tickets) over paper tickets. Many agents charge extra for paper airline tickets, and they’re much easier to lose. In addition, electronic tickets are convenient—at the airport, you can bypass the check-in line and go directly to a self-serve kiosk. They’re easy to find and to use.
Remember that round-trip airline tickets are often less expensive than one-way fares. If your schedule permits it, choose a light-traffic travel time. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the least hectic departure days, and airline tickets are cheapest for noon or late-evening flights. Plan to return on Sunday, as Saturday return flights are generally much more expensive.
When you think you’ve found your fare, think about convenience. Be sure that you have allowed yourself about an hour between flight legs, especially if your layover’s in a huge airport like Denver or Chicago O’Hare. Next, think about your personal comfort. Can you tolerate a window, middle, or aisle seat best? Request that seat before you purchase your airline tickets.
The majority of carriers don’t serve substantial meals anymore. Many don’t even bother with a little light snack. A few kind carriers continue to feed us, though, and they also honor dietary restrictions. A word to the wise when buying your airline tickets: Think about requesting the vegetarian option. I’ve ordered it out of curiosity and found the food surprisingly tasty and healthy. It certainly beat the old hard-roll sandwich routine.
If you don’t remember anything else, remember this: Buy your airline tickets as far in advance as possible. If you purchase them at least three weeks before your departure, airline tickets are relatively inexpensive. Two weeks will still save you a considerable amount of money, and you should always buy airline tickets with at least a week to spare. That said; keep checking prices online, even after buying your tickets. Though you may have to forfeit a fee on the original tickets (usually around $100), you may be able to save much more on different ones. Carriers sometimes drastically reduce the prices of their airline tickets at the last minute. Just remember to keep your eyes open and do your research. If you do, airline tickets don’t have to be quite so expensive.
By Nicole Zillmer
Other Resources:
Have you thought about a cruise?