The Air Transport Association reveals that a domestic roundtrip ticket worth $200 could include around $50 in taxes and other fees. Wouldn’t it be nice to save at least a few dollars on your airline tickets? Yes – airfares are now cheaper these days but it still pays to be savvy and smart to make sure you get the best deals. Aside from the basics, here are surefire tips to getting an edge on the increasingly obscure and unclear airfare game.
1. Search for Airfares at the Best Time
Try looking for airfares after midnight because this is the time when many airline companies reload their system with greatly discounted airfares reserved by some people but were not paid for. If you are searching for last-minute airfares, visit airline sites, aggregator sites and major booking sites from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning for airline tickets that can be used for the coming weekend.
2. Check Different Dates
Major booking sites have a very flexible search function for major booking sites. They allows users to search for one-way or roundtrip domestic and international airfares within different months. Make sure to check on different dates to find the best deals.
3. Book for Award Airline Tickets Early
Since only a small percentage of airline seats are allocated for award travel, make sure to book award airline tickets several months in advance. It’s best to book around 330 days in advance because these are when most airlines load their systems with award fares. It’s also a good idea to reserve these award tickets online because some airlines charge a certain amount for booking award travel on phone and in person; thus, you can save more when you book online.
4. Book through the Airline’s Website
If you’ve found similar low fare for airline tickets on online booking agents and the airline’s website, then it’s best to reserve on the airline’s website to avoid paying for service fees charged by some online booking agents. By doing this, you can also avoid the fees airlines charge for booking on phone and in person at airport counters and ticket offices.
5. Avoid Change Fees
If you are not too sure about your flight, then it’s best to do the booking directly with the airline. Some online booking agents charge some fees for flight changes. Airlines also charge some fees but not as high as those charged by online booking agents. However, to make sure you get the best deal, it’s best to be sure about your flight and you’ll never have to worry about change fees. cheap airline tickets