Are you tired of spending a fortune on flights? Let’s face it, air travel can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little know-how, you can score some amazing deals and save yourself some serious cash. It is a question I am always asked about, but I don’t have the time to plan your dream vacation on the cheap. Here are some tips on how to find the best flight and vacation deals:
- Shop around: Don’t just rely on one airline or travel booking site. Shop around and compare prices. Use aggregator sites like Kayak, Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare prices across multiple airlines and booking sites.
- Timing is everything: The best time to shop for flights is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays when airlines often release new deals. And if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can save even more money. Try to avoid booking flights during peak travel times like holidays or weekends.
- Be flexible: Consider different airports and different airlines. Sometimes flying out of a smaller airport can save you a lot of money. For a city like San Francisco, look at flights into SFO, OAK, SJC, STS, SMF, you’ll find the prices vary significantly. And don’t be afraid to fly on budget airlines. Yes, they may have fewer frills, but you can save a lot of money on the ticket price.
- Book strategically: If you’re planning a multi-city trip, consider booking each leg of your journey separately. This may take a little more time, but it can save you a lot of money. And if you’re traveling internationally, be sure to book your flight to the cheapest destination first. For example, if you’re flying from the US to Europe and want to visit Paris and Rome, it may be cheaper to fly into Rome first and then book a separate flight to Paris, and then fly home on a third booking.
- Consider the hidden costs: Budget airlines may have cheaper ticket prices, but they often have hidden fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and even printing your boarding pass. Be sure to read the fine print and factor in these costs when comparing ticket prices. I’ve found that sometimes the bundled fares on legacy carriers may be slightly higher, but getting a meal and checked bag is worth it more times than not. Additionally JetSuiteX flies some interesting routes that have been more affordable when ground transportation costs are included.
These are just a few of my tips that you can use to save yourself some serious cash and find the best flight deals. Hit the comments with what else you would like to know as well! So go ahead, book that dream vacation, and don’t break the bank in the process. I have included some of my favorite travel tools, some well known, some lesser known.
Links and Tools:
- Google Flights: The best feature is accessed by inputting your departure airport(s) and the date you are looking to travel. I leave the destination blank and click on “explore.” Google will show you the prices to fly to each city, so if you don’t know where you want to go yet, but you know you have a budget here you go! Visit: www.google.com/flights
- Eightydays.me: It is a unique travel planning tool that helps you create multi-city travel itineraries in just a few clicks. The app is designed for travelers who want to explore multiple destinations without the hassle of planning it all out themselves. With Eightydays.me, you simply enter your starting point, and the app generates a custom itinerary for you, complete with flights and trains between each destination. You can choose how many days you want to spend in each place, and the app will even suggest activities and attractions to check out in each city. Visit: www.eightydays.me
- Jet Suite X: Jet Suite X offers a premium travel experience with private jet-like amenities at a fraction of the cost. With no TSA lines and a streamlined check-in process, travelers can arrive just 15 minutes before their flight. Enjoy luxury seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, and avoid the hassle of commercial air travel. Visit: www.jsx.com
- TripIt: TripIt simplifies travel planning by organizing all your travel details in one place, including flight, hotel, and car rental information. The app automatically creates a master itinerary for you, so you can easily access important details on the go, even offline. Plus, with real-time flight alerts and alternate flight options, you can stay one step ahead of any travel disruptions. Visit: www.tripit.com
JetSetGOConnor 