THESE are the “open-jaw” flights that can save you money on your European holiday this year.
Open-jaw flights arrive in one city but depart in another, giving travellers the chance to get more bang for their buck.
For example a flight from New York to London that then returns to New York from Paris.
Sonia Bhagwan, the owner and senior travel agent at Dreaming of Sun — Dream Vacations, said: “In past years, round-trip flights were the most economical.
“But in the past nine months, open-jaw flights have been less expensive and offer additional flexibility for seeing multiple destinations without being rushed.”
Ms Bhagwan told Business Insider that she often suggests open-jaw flights for clients, especially those traveling to Europe.
She said: “A solid 75% of my families traveling to Europe use this method to maximize their time and money spent.
“Most times, it will save them a few thousand dollars.”
She said the the best way to book an open-jaw flight is to start searching between four and six months in advance.
And she revealed that Sunday nights could be the perfect time to bag that bargain.
She said: “This is when new flights get added into the rotation, and prices typically are at their lowest — but not always. If the price seems high, wait a week and search again.”
One website that allows passengers to book an open-jaw route is Alternative Airlines, who list easyJet and British Airways among the best European airlines to fly open-jaw routes with.
They said: “Open jaw flights can be cheaper. However, it’ll depend on the airline that you fly on.
“It may be easier for you to fly with an airline that has a wide selection of routes and destinations.”
Open-jaw routes are also great for cities like London where there are multiple airports.
For example, it may be cheaper to fly from Gatwick, but back into Heathrow, or another airport.
Website GoOpti has listed some of the best tools for passengers to find the flights, including GoOpti and Matrix Airfare Search.
They also recommended Google Flights, saying: “Even though you cannot book flights in it like in the previous two, Google Flights quickly offers great combination of flights on your search.”
A mistake fare is essentially an error that occurs when airlines or travel agents accidentally list the wrong price for a flight.
It might happen when airline staff accidentally leave out a zero – or two – while listing the cost of a ticket online.
They might also use a wrong far code to display the prices, allowing travellers to grab reduced fares.
It could also be a glitch in the system or a software fault.
Zach Griff, a senior reporter at The Point Guys, told HuffPost: “Mistake fares happen when airlines incorrectly file the price of a given flight.
“One of the recent mistake fares I found was a $700 round-trip ticket in Air France first class from Algeria to New York. That ticket typically retails for over $10,000, so it’s pretty clear that something was wrong with how it was pricing.”
Other ways to save on your next flight
FOLLOWING these experet tips could save you hundreds while booking a flight ticket.
Be flexible: The travel company emphasised the importance of flexibility – saying that adjusting travel dates can offer a wealth of cost-saving options.
You could choose to travel during less popular travel days, like those out-of-school holidays, or during off-peak, slightly rogue times.
Consider last-minute deals: Although booking early is generally recommended to avoid disappointment, last-minute deals can also offer savings.
During off-peak seasons, travellers who book last minute could get some incredible discounts.
However, they added that the sweet spot for booking European holidays is usually five months before departure – booking then could yield a 47 per cent reduction in costs.
While booking long-haul flights six months in advance could save travellers a whopping 54 per cent off typical prices.
How can I rebook my flight?
If you have booked an overpriced flight, you still have the chance to protect your wallet by rebooking a cheaper option. Here’s how:
- Keep an eye on fares after booking your flight – you can use price alert trackers for updates.
- Navigate through Google Flights or airline websites, considering different dates and carriers.
- Once you spot a drop in fares seize the opportunity.
- Go through the rebooking process – ensuring to cancel and rebook where necessary to maximise savings.
- Consider cancelling the entire booking for added savings and flexibility.