We love traveling as much as the next person, but the hefty price of plane tickets often makes us want to cry. A one-way ticket can be expensive enough, but having to pay the price to go roundtrip? Yikes. Luckily, there are actually quite a few ways you can save money on flights that don’t involve trying to hide inside your friend’s suitcase. Check out our list of 6 easy ways to save money on flights below.
Be Sneaky and Go Incognito
While we can’t know for sure that big brother is tracking our internet activity, we do know that airline websites are. If a specific route or location is repeatedly being searched, airlines will increase flight prices based on the cookies in your browser. This tactic is used in an effort to get you to book your flight ASAP, but more than anything it’s just annoying. When you go into incognito or private mode, your cookies reset every time you search. This reset will prevent flight prices from going up, as your cookies will not be tracked.
Be Flexible
Airplane tickets can vary deeply depending on the date of departure and return, the airline company, and which airport you fly from or land in. If you aren’t picky about the date or airline, you can choose a flight that has the lowest price. While not always the most ideal, connecting and red eye flights can be cheaper as well. Many airlines, such as Southwest, let you see a calendar with flight prices and times so that you can compare.
Utilize the 24 Hour Refund Rule
When the bad guys in the movies say “you have 24 hours”, it’s usually not referring to a good thing. When it comes to flights, however, it’s a different story. Not enough people realize this, but you actually have 24 hours after you buy your plane ticket to make changes or cancel. Plane ticket costs constantly fluctuate, so if you watch those prices for the next 24 hours after purchasing your ticket, you can swap your ticket for a cheaper one if the price goes down.
It May Be Hard, but Travel Light
Some of us are super guilty of overpacking. It’s perfectly fine and understandable to want to feel prepared and pack 20 shirts for a 3-day trip, but checking your larger bags in can sometimes cost a fortune. Certain airlines, such as Southwest, are pure angels and let you check-in up to two bags for free. Other airlines, such as United Airlines, charge for each check-in bag. By only bringing a carry-on suitcase (if all of your stuff can fit) you can avoid those hefty charges. If you do need to check-in additional luggage, compare the check-in costs of each airline so you can see which is the cheapest.
Travel Websites
Websites such as Momondo, Expedia, and Kayak are basically the superheroes of money-saving on travel. These travel engines help you to compare different flights. They show you everything from time and dates, to airlines, to prices. Utilizing these sites can save you precious time and money.
Feel Rewarded with a Rewards Programs
If you’re a frequent adventurer, it may be beneficial to sign up for a travel rewards program, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program. Why? Your spending earns you points. Once you earn enough points, you can save money on flights. Sometimes, you can even earn enough to get a free flight. Depending on the airline and program, you may even get extra perks such as choosing a person to fly with you for free or free wifi!
Travel is fun, but high prices aren’t. By following the above tips and tricks, however, you can now save money on the flight for your next adventure.
