8 Tips for Booking Cheaper Flights

Planning a trip can often come with the burden of high flight ticket prices. However, by following the following 8 tips, you can book flights at a more affordable rate.

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1. Book in Advance

 

• Booking in advance means reserving your flight tickets well ahead of your travel departure date. Typically, for domestic flights, the best time to purchase tickets falls within 112 to 21 days before the departure date, with 54 days before departure being considered the optimal timing. For international flights, booking at least 24 weeks in advance can get you the best fares.

• The reason for booking in advance is that flight prices can vary significantly depending on the dates and times. Peak seasons, weekends, holidays, and late departure times tend to be more expensive, while off-peak seasons, weekdays, and early morning or mid-morning departures are cheaper. Additionally, popular destination flight prices are less likely to decrease, so booking as early as possible is advisable.

 

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2. Maintain Flexible Dates

 

• Maintaining flexible dates means not locking in specific departure and return dates but instead choosing the cheapest days within a range. For example, if you can travel anytime between October 1st and October 31st, you would look for the lowest-priced flight within that period.

• Keeping flexible dates is important because flight prices vary significantly based on dates and times. Generally, peak seasons, weekends, holidays, and late departures are more expensive, while off-peak seasons, weekdays, and early morning or mid-morning departures are cheaper. It's also worth considering that layovers might be more cost-effective than direct flights, so you should factor in layover times and locations.

• Use flight comparison websites or apps to compare prices from various airlines at once. You can filter and sort options by price, as well as adjust filters for peak/off-peak, weekends/weekdays, and direct/layover flights. This way, you can find the cheapest flights that match your preferences. For instance, SkyScanner offers options like 'Whole Month' or 'Cheapest Month' to display the lowest fares within your desired period.

 

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3. Utilize Price Comparison Websites

 

• Price comparison websites allow you to compare prices and conditions for flights offered by multiple airlines and travel agencies in one place, making it easier to find and book the most affordable flights. The reason to use price comparison sites is that flight prices can vary significantly based on booking timing, airline, travel agency, departure, and destination.

• Price comparison sites allow you to select your desired destination, dates, times, and seat options while finding the most affordable or suitable flight options and making reservations.Price comparison websites allow you to compare prices and conditions for flights offered by multiple airlines and travel agencies in one place, making it easier to find and book the most affordable flights. The reason to use price comparison sites is that flight prices can vary significantly based on booking timing, airline, travel agency, departure, and destination.Price comparison sites allow you to select your desired destination, dates, times, and seat options while finding the most affordable or suitable flight options and making reservations.

 

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4. Subscribe to Airline Emails

 

• Subscribing to airline emails means receiving newsletters or marketing emails from airlines you're interested in. Email subscriptions provide real-time access to promotional fares, discount codes, special offers, and more.

• The reason to subscribe to airline emails is to find and book the cheapest flights. Airlines often adjust flight prices based on factors like peak season, off-peak season, departure, and destination. Sometimes, limited-time deals are exclusively offered to email subscribers, allowing you to save a significant amount on your bookings.

• There are various ways to subscribe to airline emails. You can sign up on an airline's website or app during registration and agree to receive newsletters and marketing information. For example, with Korean Air, you can receive major updates and special benefits by agreeing to the "Receive Korean Air Newsletter and Marketing Information" when signing up. Another option is to use flight booking websites or apps and enable price alert services. For instance, Kayak offers a "Set Price Alerts" button, which allows you to receive price change notifications for your preferred destination and dates. Thirdly, some travel-related websites or blogs provide information on discounted flights along with travel tips. You can subscribe to their newsletters or mailing lists to stay updated on the lowest airfare details.

 

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5. Timing Matters for Cheaper Flights

• The timing for booking and paying for flights can significantly affect the price. Here are some timing-related tips: Booking flights on Sundays tends to be cheaper, with potential savings of up to 31.5% for economy class tickets.

 

• Tuesday is often the cheapest day to depart, with potential savings of around 8% on average.
  Arriving on a Tuesday or Wednesday is typically more affordable, with potential savings of around 10%.
  March is the cheapest month to purchase flights, with potential savings of about 10%.
  Booking flights 21 weeks before departure is the least expensive timing, with potential savings of around 8%.
  Booking flights just before departure can be up to 20% more expensive.
  
  

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6. Direct vs. Layover Flights

 

Direct flights refer to flights that travel from the departure point to the destination without any stopovers. Layover flights, on the other hand, involve one or more stopovers where passengers need to change planes.

• The advantages of direct flights include shorter flight durations and convenience. There is no need for layover wait times or dealing with baggage transfer, which can reduce travel fatigue. Additionally, there is no risk of delays or the potential for lost luggage during the plane change process.

 

• However, the drawback of direct flights is that they are generally more expensive. Direct flights tend to come at a higher cost, especially during peak seasons, weekends, and holidays. It's also worth noting that for certain destinations, direct flight options may be limited or unavailable.

 

• Layover flights, on the other hand, offer cost advantages. They are typically more budget-friendly than direct flights, and layovers can provide opportunities to explore other cities briefly during your journey. Additionally, layover flights may offer more route options to specific destinations. Nevertheless, layover flights come with some disadvantages.

 

• They often result in longer overall travel times due to layovers, increasing travel fatigue. There is also a higher potential for delays or issues during layovers.

 

• Therefore, when deciding between direct and layover flights as part of your strategy to book cheaper flights, consider various factors such as your travel duration, budget, destination, peak season, personal preferences, and more.
  
  
  

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7. Utilize Mileage and Credit Card Benefits

 

• Mileage refers to points offered by airlines that you can earn when purchasing flight tickets or using affiliated services. You can redeem these miles for benefits such as booking flights, seat upgrades, access to airport lounges, and more. Mileage programs vary by airline, so it's a good idea to join the program of the airline you frequently use and understand how to earn and redeem miles effectively.

 

• Credit card benefits, on the other hand, involve using credit cards affiliated with airlines to earn more miles or receive discounts. Different credit card providers offer varying accrual rates and perks, so it's important to choose a card that aligns with your spending patterns and travel goals. Additionally, keep an eye out for special promotions and events tied to your credit card.
  
  

 

 

8. Visit the Airline's Official Website

• You can access the most accurate and up-to-date flight information here.

 

• Flight comparison websites or travel agencies may not always reflect real-time prices or seat availability. Additionally, exclusive promotional fares and discount codes offered directly by the airline may only be available through their official website.

 

• You can save on additional costs. Flight comparison websites or travel agencies may impose booking fees, cancellation fees, or other additional charges. When booking through the airline's official website, you can often avoid these extra expenses.

 

• You can book more conveniently and securely. Using the airline's official website reduces the risk of errors or issues during the booking process that may arise when dealing with third-party websites or agencies. It also allows for easy access to your booking details and the ability to make changes if necessary.

 

Following these 8 tips should help you find more affordable flight reservations. We hope they assist you in planning your travels. Safe and happy travels!