Wish I’d tour the lands and the oceans too,
My dreams are vast but my means are few…
Booking flight tickets is easy but cracking a cheap deal isn’t. How many times have I wished I could get a cheap ticket and fly off to a faraway land? But alas!
So, I researched, asked around experts from the travel industry and came up with a list of 7 tips and tricks that helped me save a fortune on booking flight tickets. Good idea to pack your suitcase as you read this blog for you might just want to get away pronto.
Book Early
A simple and time-tested rule! The closer you get to your travel dates, higher the price of booking flight ticket. Book at least 30 days in advance to get a cheaper deal.
Avoid Weekends
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are the busiest travel days. Needless to say, weekend travelling is convenient for working folks. So for you as a leisure traveller looking for cheap air tickets, travelling on a Wednesday is best. Air tickets are cheapest around midweek. Similarly, late night and mid-day flights are cheaper than the early morning and evening flights. Time your travel wisely!
Tip: Keep your time, day and date of travel flexible and save a fortune.
Look for Deals
There is no dearth of discounts, deals, cash back, and offers that can reduce the cost of air ticket substantially. Online marketing has done wonders for consumers. Stay active, stay alert! Best places to look for deals are Facebook, Twitter, and websites of airlines and online travel companies. Sign up for their newsletter or RSS feed. I know you’re worried about a flooded inbox but who has found gold without mining!
Opt for Non-Refundable Tickets
By rule, non-refundable tickets are cheaper than refundable tickets. So, book your ticket when you are absolutely sure of your travel dates.
Book a Round Trip
If you book a round trip ticket, you will always save money. Make sure to book both the tickets to get more discounts.
Enrol in the Frequent Flyer Program
Frequent Flyer is a loyalty program wherein every time you travel a particular airline, points are added to your account. Once enough points are accumulated, you can redeem it and avail discount on your airline ticket booking. Aditi, my colleague recently got free air tickets to Australia, courtesy her Frequent Flyer miles.
Fly No Frill Airlines
Sure shot way to get a cheap air ticket is to fly with a low cost carrier like Air India Express, Indigo and Spice Jet. Expect no luxuries but have the satisfaction of a cheap ticket.