Plane tickets are a great way to get from one place to another. But they can also be expensive.
Airline pricing is a complicated and constantly changing system that’s designed to maximize profits.
Luckily, there are a few tips you can use to save money on your next flight.
Know Your Destination
Before you book a plane ticket, find out where you’re going and how to get there. Having this information handy can save you time, money and stress on your trip.
Flights can be surprisingly affordable, especially if you’re flexible with your departure and return dates. A good tool for finding the best deals is Google Flights, which shows fares for a two-month period on a calendar.
It also allows you to search for a specific destination by entering the city name or Wanderlists. It also offers a price-trend graph that can help you see the best times to book based on historical prices for your dates.
It’s also important to check the airline you’re flying with for discounts and other promotions. You can find them in a variety of places, including travel sites and on the airline’s website.
Know Your Airline
Whether you’re booking a last-minute flight or planning a trip months in advance, knowing your airline is key to finding the right price. Airlines vary in their ticket prices based on several factors, including the time of year and destination.
If you’re unsure, call the airline’s customer service line and ask. Many have chat features that make it easier to get answers.
You may also want to check with your travel insurance provider. Some policies offer discounts for flying on certain airlines.
When flights are oversold, airlines are required by law to ask passengers who aren’t in a hurry to give up their seats. They also set “boarding priorities” that determine who is bumped first.
If you’re stuck with a seat you don’t want, don’t worry; airlines are required to give passengers compensation for being bumped. This includes paying the difference between what you paid and the price of an alternate flight.
Know Your Seat
Knowing your seat — and how to get there — will save you money, time and stress. And if you don’t know your exact seat assignment, you can still do your best to ensure that you get what you want on the plane.
One of the most popular tools is SeatGuru, a website that displays aircraft seating charts and airline seat reviews, and provides a color-coded map for every major flight. It allows you to view details about each seat, including extra legroom or recline; proximity to lavatories; exit row seating; galleys (kitchen areas); laptop plugin ports and more.
The best part is that it’s easy to use and navigate. Just enter your airline, date of flight and flight number, and you’ll be able to see the seats that will be available on your flight.
Know Your Budget
When it comes to getting the most out of plane tickets, knowing your budget is key. Most trips involve significant expenses like transportation and lodging, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
If you’re looking to save, consider searching for flights on multiple airlines and in different alliances. This will allow you to find deals that may be better than booking each leg as separate tickets.
The best way to do this is by using a flight search website that compares fares from several airlines, online travel agencies, or both. You should also check directly on the airline’s website.
Another helpful tip is to be flexible with your dates and airports. If you can shift your tentative travel dates by just a day or two, you can often score big savings.