Wealth
The next time you’re sitting on an plane, take a look at the people sitting next to you
The chances are they paid a different amount for their seats, even though you’re in the same cabin class and obviously heading to the same destination
That’s because of the way airlines price their seats. It’s not as simple as set prices for the different cabin classes; prices are determined by a complicated algorithm. The airline wants to make as much money as possible, so it’s constantly assessing demand and other purchase data and potentially changing the prices of seats
So how can you ensure you get the cheapest flight possible? NMTBP to the rescue……
Fly on the right day
Brits on holiday are predictable creatures. We like to fly at the end of the working week or weekend, making Friday and Sunday two of the most expensive days to book flights, according to the website CheapFlights.co.uk
Analysis from that website shows that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. So if you can be flexible about when you leave, you have a better chance of snapping up the lowest-priced seats
Likewise, flying out at an unpopular time (think very early in the morning or after dinner) can also reduce demand for the cheapest seats, giving you a better chance of snapping them up
It’s a widespread belief that booking a flight at the last minute will allow you to snap up a cheap, unsold seat. And that can be true, as long as you’re not remotely fussy about where you’re going or what kind of time you fly at
Most of us like a little more certainty in our holiday destinations, so when is the best time to book? It’s counter-intuitive, but most experts suggest not booking too early. If you buy your ticket six months or more in advance then the airline doesn’t have time to assess demand and won’t necessarily be offering its cheapest seats
CheapFlights.co.uk suggests booking 54 to 66 days in advance to get the cheapest deal
Register for alerts
Some airlines and comparison websites allow you to register to receive emailed alerts when cheap flights to your preferred destination are added. Others may email special offers to loyal customers. It’s worth signing up for any alert system so you can act fast if your tickets do come on sale
Avoid extra luggage charges
Charges for excess baggage can be eye-wateringly high. Make sure you weigh and measure all your cases before you leave home, otherwise you might find yourself paying over the odds at the airport. Excess baggage charges can be as high as £20 a kilo!
Don’t fly at peak season
Flying at popular times such as during the school holidays or just before Christmas will always be expensive as demand is so high. If you have any flexibility then avoid the school holidays
Of course, if you have children in school then you’re stuck. However, you can save money in other ways, such as considering a house swap rather than paying for hotels
Be sure that your budget flight IS a good deal
Low-cost airlines can help some travellers fly all over the world for a pittance. But the key word there is ‘some’. If you need to book ‘extras’ such as checking baggage and sitting together, then the price may soon overtake that of standard airlines where those services are included in your ticket
So work out what services you really need and how much they’ll cost, so that you can compare accurate prices
And don’t forget to factor in food. Some carriers such as BA still offer in-flight meals as part of the package. If you decide to buy food on a budget flight, you could end up paying far more than you expect; according to Travelsupermarket.com prices can be up to 400% more on a plane than on the high street
Always use more than one comparison site
Not all travel sites search every airline and some may have arranged specific deals. Before booking, it’s well worth using more than one search tool to see if you can find even cheaper flights
Get your passport in plenty of time
If you need a new passport then don’t leave it to the last minute. It takes three weeks to receive a new passport at a price of £72.50. However, if you book flights and then need a passport in a hurry then you could be charged as much as £128
Official advice is to never book travel before applying for a passport
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