Delois
One of the most expensive parts of your vacation planning is the purchase of your transportation. Airline transportation being the quickest way to reach your destination, is the most expensive. As a traveler, you want to spend less time getting to your destination and more time exploring it and experiencing the adventure of being there. By using the right tools, you can find the most affordable flights for your trip. Here are three tips to finding cheap flights.
Be Flexible with Your Plans and Book Flights First
Instead of deciding on the dates of your trip before booking your flights, start by looking for flights around the time you would like to travel, let the prices guide you to the least expensive dates and book that flight. Plan your travel and vacation dates around the flight. Be flexible to save on flights. Picking your travel dates before checking out flights for prices is a costly mistake. You can find big savings by planning travel dates around the cheapest flight prices.
Another way to save is to be flexible on your route. Of course you would rather travel nonstop but sometimes taking the one or more stops on your route can save you money. If the stops have a longer layover, you may even be able to plan a little sight seeing while you are waiting for your next flight. Taking an extra stop on your way to your travel destination can pay off with savings.
An example of savings by route flexibility is explained here:
“Let’s say a nonstop flight from Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) will cost you $950 or more. But by opening your search up to one-stop flights, you find flights for $430 that makes a pitstop in Reykjavik (KEF) on the way to Paris.” (Thrifty Traveler.com)
Travel at the Right Time
This tip involves taking advantage of the cheapest days to fly. Flights on non-peak days such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually less expensive. Busy travel days such as Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays are usually more expensive. Avoid these days when possible.
Another way to take advantage of timing is to fly non-peak season or “shoulder season.” This is the season between peak season and off-season, the time period from May-June and August-September. Prices are higher during peak season of summer and around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. One of the best days to travel internationally is during Thanksgiving. Sometimes if you want really low prices, its good to travel during off-season but make sure to check into weather conditions during the off-season. Make sure to book at least 30-45 days ahead when possible.
Use a Travel Advisor
In the past, travel advisor were valuable based on the type of vacation you wanted. For example, if you sought a solo trip for a few days at a low cost, you could probably find a cost-effective solution without consulting an expert. But if you wanted to arrange a group trip or excursion, the travel advisor was more sought after and “worth it.”
Now, travel advisors are far more valuable, not only in booking vacations but also in providing guidance for every part of your travel such as passport or visa questions, health advisories or local transportation advice. If they do not have the answers to questions you have about your desired destination, they will be sure to find the answers for you.
Do you pay a Travel Advisor?
A common misconception is that you pay your travel advisor’s commission or all travel advisors are paid by the traveler. The truth is InteleTravel independent travel advisors get paid a percentage from the vendors that you choose to book with. You do not pay your InteleTravel independent travel advisor. Travel advisors have your best interests in mind. If they provide you with a great travel package, you will seek their services again on your next trip.
Using a travel advisor will relieve you of the time-consuming tasks of locking in cheapest flights, along with hotel stays, rental cars, and other services you made need on your travels.
“Think of a time when you bundled a trip using a booking website. After you chose your flights, perhaps the site suggested lodging with a discount attached to it. Or maybe the site provided information about renting a car. Each step begot another without real guidance on how it fit your preferred vacation.” (InteleTravel blog)
Travel advisors will not do this. They will listen to your requests and assess your needs by discussing with your your preferences. They won’t suggest anything that you don’t need. Here’s a secret of the travel industry… the best travel deals and cheapest flight information are not available to the public. They’re hidden from search engines and booking websites. But through partnerships or subscriptions, travel advisors have access to the best deals. They may be upgrades, lower rates, or all-inclusive packages at discounted prices.
Planning a trip and finding the cheapest flights, can be a daunting task. There are three tips to remember when planning your travel. To get the best rates on flights, remember to be flexible with your plans. Check out the best flight prices around the time you want to travel and book the most cost effective flight. Choose to fly on the non-peak days during the week and plan your travel dates if possible during the “shoulder season.” Check into weather even during the time of year considered “off-season” and possibly plan your travel for then. The most important tip is to consult with a travel advisor. Your travel advisor will take into consideration the strategies mentioned, your budget, trip desires and preferences. Your advisor will then do all the research and plan a booking proposal with various options for your approval. You remain in control and have the best flight deal and travel plan available!
Best travels to you. Go here to plan your next travel dream!
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Nice advice you give there. Most of the time we never try to find the cheapest flights but the ones that serve us the most. I get that you can save a lot if you are a bit proactive but most are not so deep planners and just want to get in their destination as fast as possible and in the exact time frame they want. That’s why there are opportunities for those that seek them.
Right you are Stratos K. Some travelers are able to take the flight that takes less time and more convenient. Many travelers are not as fortunate and have to really budget their trips. I hope these tips will help them reach their travel goals. Thanks for your comments.
Thank you for sharing these insightful tips for finding cheap flights and emphasizing the importance of flexibility, timing, and utilizing a travel advisor. Planning a vacation can indeed be overwhelming, especially when it comes to booking transportation. Your suggestion to be flexible with travel dates and routes is particularly valuable, as it allows travelers to take advantage of the most affordable options available.
Considering the timing of the trip is another crucial aspect often overlooked. Avoiding peak days and traveling during non-peak or shoulder seasons can significantly impact the cost of flights. Your mention of Thanksgiving as an opportune time for international travel is an excellent example of leveraging specific holidays for better deals.
We do get overwhelmed with so many details to consider when booking flights and trying to find the best for our money takes time… I’m glad offering the Thanksgiving idea may help a traveler reach his goal to get the best for his budget. Thanks for reading my article and leaving comments.
WHOA! I would have thought that a travel advisor would have made things more expensive. What a great way to tell people how to get where they want to go on a budget! This is truly fantastic! It would have saved our family of 17 when we traveled to Arizona for a wedding. Hindsight is always 20/20 as they say! Thanks for taking the time to write about this!
Thanks for stopping by and reading this post and leaving your encouraging comments. Yes, independent travel advisors are you friends and get you the best deals!
Thanks for sharing these valuable tips to travelers looking to book affordable cheap flights for their next vacation. I have personally used the tip of being flexible with travel dates to get cheaper flights – it’s amazing how much ticket prices can vary!
The seasonality of flights depends largely on the number of plane seats available to the market, so sometimes there are better deals during “peak season” because there is also a larger supply of plane seats. Thanks for the helpful pointers!
You’re welcome. thanks for reading my post and for your comments.