Six tips for finding cheap flights
Thursday, 14 March 2013
With winter thankfully on the way out and summer fast approaching many of us are coming out of hibernation and looking for ways to get away from it all for a couple of days, or weeks. However, finding and booking a holiday that fits our budget and travel choices can sometimes seem an arduous task which is why we’ve put together our top tips for finding the best flight deals:
Consider budget airlines
Travelling by budget airlines can often be a good option for those in search of affordable flights, but not always. Note that some companies may not allow checked bags, limit the number of bags, or may charge for cabin luggage so it’s worth doing your research beforehand. Online travel retailers can help to point you in the right direction, for example Expedia compares cheap flights saving you time, effort and money. When travelling budget it’s wise to avoid peak travel times and pack light.
Be flexible on your departure airport
Many budget airlines offer cheaper prices from smaller alternative airports so it’s worth being flexible about where you travel from. Conversely, travelling from UK regional airports can sometimes be more expensive than departing from London. Don’t let this deter you; many savvy travellers choose to stay overnight in the capital, enjoy a spot of sightseeing and an evening out in the West End before flying off the next day. Find the best London hotel deals here.
Book a direct flight
Finding a direct flight to your destination will cost you less in taxes, fees and arrival transfers so it’s worth shopping around to find one. Companies such as Expedia allow you to tick a ‘direct flights only’ box when searching so you can cut out all the superfluous flights that do not allow this.
Don’t just use one airline
Depending on whether you’re looking for long or short breaks it can be cost effective to fly with a number of different airlines. For example if you’re embarking on a multi-centre holiday it may be worth breaking up your itinerary into segments allowing you to search for flights on different airlines for multiple cities. This is when it also pays to use online travel agents rather than booking through airlines direct, as it will allow you to search numerous offers at a time.
Check out taxes and fees
When looking for flights many people just look at the overall cost of their flights, however it’s worth checking out the taxes and fees that make up the final price.
Sign up for travel alerts
Online travel agents give you the option to sign up for travel alerts that will be sent direct to your in-box. This is a great way of keeping abreast of recent travel trends, snapping up the best flight deals and taking advantage of late availability offers. It normally only takes a few seconds to sign up and will help you keep your finger on the travel pulse throughout the year.
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