Family travel can be expensive, so learn how to save money on flights without having to chance it with a discount airline!
There are plenty of ways to save money on your plane tickets that don’t involve flying with a cheap airline. While low-cost airlines can help you save money on your travel, there are a ton of other ways you can save money on your next plane ticket.
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How to save money on flights
While we can’t promise you a first-class ticket with these hacks, you will still save a lot of money to help stretch your family travel budget. Here are some tips on spending less on your airline tickets.
Book your ticket 47 days before your flight
If you are flying domestic, you should wait to book your ticket 47 days before your flight day. No matter what airline you are flying, this is going to be the cheapest fare that you’ll get on your flight!
You will get to benefit from the last minute flight savings, but without starting to pay the upcharge of booking a last-minute flight.
Search for your flight in incognito mode on your web browser
If you are booking your flight online, look at prices using the incognito mode on your web browser. If you’ve ever noticed that flight prices seem to keep going up every time you check them, it’s because they are!
If a particular flight route is searched continuously, the price starts to go up. To avoid these surcharges, check and book your flights in incognito mode.
Book directly through the airline
This might sound crazy, but booking through the airline can end up saving you more than your bottom line price. Before you book through a third-party site, check the prices directly through your airline.
You may find that the prices are equal or less than a third party site. In addition to saving money on the base ticket, if something goes wrong during your travels, you will find yourself without any luck if you booked through a third-party site.
Those who booked directly through the airline can often get flights changed if you miss a connection, or comped for the night if you get stuck at the airport.
Be flexible with your trip
By being flexible about your travel days, your flights, and even who you sit with, you have the opportunity to save a decent amount of cash. All of these factors will significantly impact the price of your flight.
Before you book, opt for the random seating option on your flight. Your seat will be assigned at the gate, and you will save some money. You may even still get to sit with your travel partner after all!
Booking flights this way, you may score exit row seats (more leg room!) without paying extra for them. My friend Clarissa shares how she finds the best airfare prices by being flexible.
Set up alerts for flights
If you want to know if you are getting the best deal on your flight, you can set up Google Flight alerts. This will send you an email every time the price changes, so you know when the best time to book is.
No matter where you are flying to, these airline ticket hacks will help you save money on your next flight!