Luckily, there are a few tips you can use to make more cheap flights by doing less. You can choose to fly one-way instead of round-trip, book early, and search for one-way flights. You can also avoid paying too much by looking for cheap flights to a different airport.
Searching for one-way flights instead of round-trip
Choosing one-way flights instead of round-trip tickets is becoming more popular. These flights are cheaper. However, there are some factors that you need to consider when choosing a route. Besides choosing a destination, you also need to determine your budget and the requirements for the trip.
If you are searching for a cheap international flight, you may have a set destination in mind. For example, if you’re planning a trip to Paris, you may have a date in mind. If you know your return date, you may be better off booking a round-trip ticket. However, if you have a flexible schedule and are traveling between two cities, it may make more sense to book a one-way ticket.
For example, if you’re flying from Chicago to Los Angeles, you may find that it’s cheaper to book an open-jaw ticket than a round-trip. A multi-city itinerary is often referred to as an “open-jaw ticket.”
If you’re traveling from New York to Paris, you may find that the best one-way fares are not as low as you might expect. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars by traveling from Newark instead of LaGuardia.
Booking early
Generally speaking, the best deals are available three to thirty days before your scheduled departure. Booking your flight as early as possible will ensure you don’t miss out on a good deal.
The best deal is not necessarily the cheapest, though. There are plenty of airlines that offer decent airfares in the weeks leading up to your departure. A savvy traveler can leverage their frequent flyer miles to get some sweet deals. Booking directly with the airline instead of an online travel agency will save you some headaches down the road.
There’s an old adage that you shouldn’t book your flight until the last minute. However, some airlines offer decent airfares as early as two to eight months before your departure. Purchasing tickets at the last minute can be a pain, so be sure to do your research. You’ll also find that last-minute bookings are often treated as “last minute business traveler” flights by the airlines’ automated fare systems.
Flying to an alternate airport
Choosing an alternate airport over a larger one can save you some dough. Besides, smaller airports can be less crowded, less stressful and offer streamlined services. A study by TripIt found that passengers who arrived at smaller airports rated their flights better than those arriving at major hubs. The best part is that you will often find a decent flight deal via an alternate airport.
The trick is to decide which one is right for you. In a city like London, there are five airports within fifty kilometers of the city centre. A single round trip flight to Frankfurt may be a little more expensive than a multi city itinerary to London Heathrow. This can be mitigated by choosing a flight with flexible timings. Another tidbit is to use frequent flyer points to book your tickets. The rewards are well worth it, and you’ll likely have a pleasant flight to boot.
Conclusion
For the best results, check out a few flight booking websites. Some airlines limit where their fares appear on their website. While you’re at it, do a price comparison.
