Travelers always want to get cheap flights, especially when they have to travel a long way. Some destinations make it easier to get cheap flights while others will always get a good chunk out of your budget. And it's not just about the distance - the usual logic of paying more for a longer flight does not apply here as there are other factors involved in the pricing. A short domestic flight can sometimes cost you double the amount you would pay for flying across the Atlantic, and the only way you can save money in such situations is buying your tickets online. Here are some simple rules for purchasing cheap flights via the web:
Buy early
The golden rule of cheap flights is buying the tickets as early as possible, and it applies when purchasing online as well. Moreover, buying tickets online gives you a better understanding of the price dynamics within a changing time-frame. Just check out the prices for a flight in a week and after that set the date to a few months later - you'll see the price fall down considerably. Of course, in many cases it may be inconvenient to plan your trip for months ahead as there are many circumstances that may change during such a period of time. But if you really want to get cheap flights the easiest way to do it is to buy the tickets at least a couple of months in advance.
Always shop around
There are still many people who assume that the same flights cost identically with different companies, which is a very big mistake. Flight companies compete for clients in different markets, their presence varies from airport to airport and because of that there can be a huge fluctuation in the prices for the same flight when you shop around. So it's a must for anyone looking for cheap flights to do comprehensive comparison shopping with all the airlines offering tickets to the required destination.
Pick your dates carefully
There is another aspect of timing the flight that should be taken into account apart from buying your tickets early. The first thing you need to know is that because there is always a surge of travellers around weekends that allow airlines increase ticket prices to maximize profits it will always be more expensive to make flights at weekends than on a Tuesday or Thursday. The same goes for holidays - flying just before and after big holidays will cost you more than several days before or after. So pick your dates carefully as a day's difference can cost you up several hundred dollars on a flight.
Choose an alternative airport if possible
It is likely that there are several airports within easy reach if you happen to travel from a large metropolitan area. Needless to say, the most convenient airport to travel from will usually have the most expensive tickets, whereas the least convenient will get you the cheap flights you're looking for. Just make sure to calculate all the costs involved in traveling from a more distant airport - sometimes the transportation and hotel costs will exceed the actual savings on plane tickets. But there's always the potential to save some money you shouldn't dismiss immediately.
Be careful with low-costs
Discount and low-cost airlines may look like the obvious choice for cheap flights as they tend to offer the lowest price on the market. However, don't be deceived by the seemingly affordable tickets as there are many implied and hidden costs to look out for. If you're traveling without any luggage and the flight is reasonably short to avoid a meal then discount airlines might be a good pick. But once you add up the extras (which are usually included in the ticket price with ordinary airlines) the final ticket price may be twice as high as the one that was advertised. So you should be very careful will low-cost airlines and check for all the additional and extra fees before buying the ticket.
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Buy early
The golden rule of cheap flights is buying the tickets as early as possible, and it applies when purchasing online as well. Moreover, buying tickets online gives you a better understanding of the price dynamics within a changing time-frame. Just check out the prices for a flight in a week and after that set the date to a few months later - you'll see the price fall down considerably. Of course, in many cases it may be inconvenient to plan your trip for months ahead as there are many circumstances that may change during such a period of time. But if you really want to get cheap flights the easiest way to do it is to buy the tickets at least a couple of months in advance.
Always shop around
There are still many people who assume that the same flights cost identically with different companies, which is a very big mistake. Flight companies compete for clients in different markets, their presence varies from airport to airport and because of that there can be a huge fluctuation in the prices for the same flight when you shop around. So it's a must for anyone looking for cheap flights to do comprehensive comparison shopping with all the airlines offering tickets to the required destination.
Pick your dates carefully
There is another aspect of timing the flight that should be taken into account apart from buying your tickets early. The first thing you need to know is that because there is always a surge of travellers around weekends that allow airlines increase ticket prices to maximize profits it will always be more expensive to make flights at weekends than on a Tuesday or Thursday. The same goes for holidays - flying just before and after big holidays will cost you more than several days before or after. So pick your dates carefully as a day's difference can cost you up several hundred dollars on a flight.
Choose an alternative airport if possible
It is likely that there are several airports within easy reach if you happen to travel from a large metropolitan area. Needless to say, the most convenient airport to travel from will usually have the most expensive tickets, whereas the least convenient will get you the cheap flights you're looking for. Just make sure to calculate all the costs involved in traveling from a more distant airport - sometimes the transportation and hotel costs will exceed the actual savings on plane tickets. But there's always the potential to save some money you shouldn't dismiss immediately.
Be careful with low-costs
Discount and low-cost airlines may look like the obvious choice for cheap flights as they tend to offer the lowest price on the market. However, don't be deceived by the seemingly affordable tickets as there are many implied and hidden costs to look out for. If you're traveling without any luggage and the flight is reasonably short to avoid a meal then discount airlines might be a good pick. But once you add up the extras (which are usually included in the ticket price with ordinary airlines) the final ticket price may be twice as high as the one that was advertised. So you should be very careful will low-cost airlines and check for all the additional and extra fees before buying the ticket.
Read More......
