8 tips for getting the best flight deals

Finding the best value flight deals is a big part of travel planning. You’re all heading to the same place, so why pay more for the privilege? And any money saved on the flights means more to spend at your destination, which is after all what you’re going for.

So here are 8 tips to make sure you get the best possible price.

Sign up for deals and info before you go

Use coupons and reward points offers to squeeze extra value out of your trip, for example getting free hold luggage can save you a lot of dosh, especially if you know you’re a sucker for souvenirs and will bring back more than you take out.

Be flexible on times

If you’re prepared to fly at odd times of the night or day you can get a much cheaper flight, but be sure to factor in extras like having to take a taxi because there are no trains or paying car parking charges, so you can check in on time. Sometimes these costs rack up so that a later flight is actually better value (and better for your beauty sleep!)

Be flexible on seasons

Avoiding prime holiday times is a must if you want a good price, but remember what’s out-of-season where you are may be high season elsewhere. Check out your destination for weather facts and any special events that mean the price will soar.

Be flexible on days of the week

Most of us travel weekend to weekend or on Mondays. Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper, so if you can stagger your start day, it’s worth it.

Watch out for the extras

The flight price might be cheap but if you need hold luggage, food and drinks, hotel transfers etc those little additions can really rack up. Often the airline’s own “economy plus” option works out better value if you know you’ll need any of the above.

Add a stopover

Cheap flights often mean inconvenient departures and odd connections. If you’re willing to spend a little longer in transit, add in a cheap one night stay at a hotel nearby, and you may save a fistful of dollars.

Go last minute – if you dare

The best bargains can be found when you’re chilled about when and where you want to go. Book your time off, have a rough idea of how far you want to go, set a budget and wait til the last minute.

Points mean…..

The world of point collecting is a confusing one, especially for a newcomer to the cheap flight scene, but it’s worth checking out what’s on offer. There are 4 simple steps to a successful points strategy:

1. Stay in the loop by signing up for newsletters that keep you up to date with what’s out there
2. Choose the right credit card to get rewards for every purchase you make
3. Look out for loyalty programmes on flights and hotel deals. It can be a bit of a juggling act working out which one’s best each time you travel, but worth it for the savings
4. Use them or lose them. This is where it can get a bit overwhelming, especially if you’ve signed up to several schemes. And sometimes it can be better value to just pay for your ticket and save the points for another time.

Want to know more? For UK residents, check out this comprehensive round-up from The Points Guy

And don’t forget if you are using something like Avios you can earn points on more than just flights – look for extra points from eating out, shopping, utilities, non-airline travel and hotels.

And finally…..

Good tools to use to compare flight prices and do your initial research are Skyscanner, Opodo and Google Flights, but don’t forget the airlines themselves – they often have deals that the comparison sites don’t, so always check before you click.

But be wary of searching too often; repeated clicks make the airline think the flight is becoming popular, and they will adjust the prices upwards. So make sure you clear your cookies!

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