With the holiday season well under way, many families will have already booked up for their summer trip while others still will be on the look-out for late deals.
As a helping hand, an airline expert has come up with six tips for how holidaymakers can book the cheapest flights. And his insider knowledge could help make a difference in reducing travel costs.
Andras Rado, head of communications at the Wizz Air company, has shared six essential tips which holidaymakers can use to help secure the cheapest flights and keep costs low, reports The Express. The suggestions include an airport switch and ticket hacks.
Here are Andras’ top six tips to try when planning a holiday.
Book directly
Booking directly with an airline can often be the “cheapest places” to find flights, according to Andras. While comparison sites can be helpful, he points out that third-party booking sites “can cost up to £50 more” due to commission fees.
Book in advance
Andras says the thinking that last-minute flights are cheaper is a “common myth”, adding that prices tend to rise as the departure date approaches. He advises: “The best time to book for the lowest prices is typically up to eight weeks in advance.”
Timing
Flying during off-peak hours and days can also lead to savings, says Andras. “Night flights are often cheaper than day flights, and flying mid-week instead of on Fridays can also save you money,” he says. “By avoiding peak days, you could save up to £100.”
So booking ahead now could help travellers secure a deal on off-season flights for autumn getaways.
Pick different airports
Most flyers will instinctively choose to return to the same airport they flew out from for their holiday. But Andras advises: “Being flexible about where you land can also help get a good deal when it comes to flights.
“Many major cities have multiple airports, with smaller, regional ones typically located slightly further from the city but offering more affordable options.” This advice more applies to the likes of London, which has the well-known Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports but also London Luton which also has excellent transport links to the city centre and can often provide cheaper flights.
Airline newsletters
Andras encourages frequent flyers to sign up for their favourite airlines’ newsletters. These often highlight discounts, deals and “offers the opportunity to obtain discount codes”.
Booking separate tickets
Lastly, Andras suggests that booking outbound and inbound flights separately – which is not what most people do – sometimes can be the most cost-efficient option. He says: “Making two separate bookings instead of one return trip can save a traveller some money.
“Of course, this may not be the case 100% of the time, so it’s worth searching for one return and two bookings across two search tabs when looking for the best deals.”