Holiday flights are ridiculously expensive. It doesn’t look like there’s an end to the expenses in sight.
It can be incredibly discouraging to try to find a flight that doesn’t break the bank. Especially if all you want to do is see your family for the holidays.
You probably have your own way of finding flights, but what if there’s a better way? There are a few tricks and tips to keep in mind when booking your flights this holiday season that may save you hundreds.
Why are holiday flights so expensive?
Why is it so much more expensive to fly home around the holiday season than at any other time of the year? There are a few reasons why most tickets are so expensive, and they may play into how to find less expensive tickets.
The first reason is demand. The holiday season is a time when nearly everyone you know is traveling somewhere. Because the airlines are dealing with more people than normal, they have the liberty to up those prices. Pretty unfortunate, huh?
The second reason is reduced capacity. Because there is such a high demand for these tickets at this time, space runs out on the average amount of flights. This means they have to pay for more flights, more workers, and more fuel.
And that leads to the last reason–fuel prices. Using more planes leads to needing more fuel. A bad economy leads to even worse prices.
So, how can you save money even at this time of year?
There are plenty of things to keep on your checklist when you look for a flight. These are practical any time of the year, but even more important around the holidays!
Use incognito mode.
No, you’re not crazy for thinking those ticket prices go up more every time you look at them. Whether you are looking at an airline’s own website or discounted airline prices, do yourself a favor and switch to a private tab.
Before you do anything, switch your browser to incognito. The internet is constantly tracking what you are doing and letting those websites know. The more you look up flights, the more expensive they will be.
Know the best times to book.
The day of the week that you fly isn’t the only important factor in saving money. The day you purchase the ticket is an important aspect of saving money as well.
It’s best to purchase your ticket within the 127-24 days out mark. 76 days is typically your best bet when looking for the cheapest flight possible. Saturdays are often the best day of the week to book a flight.
Build up points for flying.
It’s never a bad option to sign up for points. Whether it’s signing up for airline apps to build up those points or checking the fine print of your credit card, you can use points.
Ship your luggage.
Checked bags can cost anywhere from $30-$100 a bag at the airport. If you ship the bag through a company like UPS beforehand, you could save a ton of money.
Lugless is a website that shows you the cheapest options for shipping baggage and has great extra options like doorstep pickup. If you have one or multiple items you need to check at the airport, this may save you a ton of money as you travel.
Think smarter– not harder– this holiday season.
There’s no need to do loads and loads of research if you know how to plan ahead in these few ways. Book a holiday flight at the prime time so that you aren’t caught in the chaos of finding a ticket only a month or less prior.
