9 Ways to Save Money on Air Travel

Finding a great flight deal is harder than it used to be. Airfares are on the rise and many carriers are imposing exorbitant new fees for checked bags and on-board meals and entertainment. The process of booking flights for summer travel can be especially stressful, but it’s still possible for budget-minded travelers to keep costs under control. Here are some tips for saving money on air travel this summer.

1. Book as early as possible. This is one of the best ways to save money on flights. If you wait less than a month before your travel dates to book, you run the risk of paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than if you had bought several months in advance, especially during peak travel times.

2. Avoid peak travel dates. Flights falling over holidays like Memorial Day weekend and the July 4 break will almost always skyrocket in price. If you want to avoid the high fares and the holiday crowds at the airport, consider planning a trip for later in the summer. Or, try staggering your travel dates by a day or two so you aren’t traveling the same day as everyone else—for example, fly home on Tuesday instead of Sunday night.

3. Buy directly from the airline. Travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity are great for comparing prices and finding the best deal, but when you’re ready to book, go directly to the airline’s website. Third-party booking sites often charge a small commission on top of the normal fare, and you can sometimes save $10 to $20 by buying directly from the airline.

4. Set up travel alerts. Travelzoo and other booking websites can generate custom travel email alerts. Enter the details of your trip, and they will notify you whenever they find a deal matching your travel requirements and budget.

5. Look for flights to nearby airports. You can often find cheaper fares going to peripheral airports near major hubs. Sometimes, the money you save by flying into the smaller airport far outweighs what you’ll spend on the extra ground transportation to your final destination.

6. Look for senior discount coupons. Some airlines and third-party booking sites offer senior travel coupons and promotions. These discounts are not always advertised online, so it’s worth calling the airline to see if they offer any deals for seniors. Southwest offers discounts for travelers over age 65 on certain flights.

7. Consider budget airlines. Look for flights on budget domestic carriers like Southwest and JetBlue, or RyanAir and Easyjet if you’re traveling within Europe. These flights don’t always have many special amenities, but you can’t beat the prices. Note that these airlines generally have strict baggage weight restrictions and booking regulations, so be sure you understand all the potential extra fees before booking.

8. Make a stopover. The idea of a layover might not be appealing, but flights that make one or two stops can be significantly cheaper than direct journeys. If you’re not in too much of a hurry, bring a book to read at the airport and enjoy the savings!

9. Jump on deals. When you find a great flight deal, don’t wait to book it tomorrow, or even later that day. The cheapest online tickets can disappear within minutes, so snatch up deals when you find them.

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