How to save money at the airlines – 10 tips on how to save money while flying.

Air travel seems to be becoming more and more expensive, so how can we save money on the airlines? For a few years it seemed as though the cost of airfare was going down, but lately more people have been opting to drive to their destination instead of flying because the costs have become so inflated. But savvy travelers know that there are still ways to save on airlines, no matter which airline you are traveling with!

By following a few simple tips and tricks, you can score an airline ticket that will quickly get you to your destination on a budget. You don’t need to be a frequent flyer or work for an airline to get these prices. All it takes is a little leg work. Here is how you too can save on airlines!

Ten Budget Savvy Tips for How to Save money on the Airlines:

1.  Plan ahead.

Stay on top of airline deals by signing up for special-offer e-newsletters from travel planning sites, airlines, hotels and even credit card companies. You may not need them at the moment, but by signing up for these email alerts now you will have them on hand should you need them. It is nice to get flight deals sent right to your email!

2.  Be flexible.

Last-minute deals arise when airlines and hotels need to fill seats and rooms. So it’s much easier to find bargains if you have no particular travel agenda. This might mean traveling on weekdays, flying very early or late in the day or on indirect flights, or visiting a destination in the off-season.

3.  Visit deal websites.

There are websites that specialize in last minute travel. One-stop sites like LastMinute.com can save you up to 70 percent on airfare, hotel rooms, activities and even entire packages. Travelzoo.com and Kayak.com carefully screen thousands of website and e-newsletter deals. Packages on these sites tend to be non-refundable, so take caution when booking.

4.   Book quickly.

When you find a good deal on a flight, move quick. It is best to book flights or transportation first and then work on further accommodations. Don’t worry if accommodations are not in place yet when booking your transportation. By the time you do that the deal could be gone. You’re your flight first then hotel second.

 6.  Travel alone.

If possible, travel alone. It’s simple to nab one cheap ticket, but much harder to find four or five. If traveling in a group, coordinate a meeting at the destination and allow a liberal window of time for arrivals. As long as everyone is adults, traveling alone may not be as fun, but it is surely cheaper.

7.   Ask an Agent

If you can’t seem to find a good deal, enlist the help of an agent. Agents have access to discounted tickets that might not be available to the general public. Also, they do all the time-consuming legwork required to find the best price.

8. Ask about Y-Up

There is a fare called “Y-UP” fares that cost a little more but increases your upgrade chances on your flight immensely. Many times there are ongoing promotions to attract first class revenue. Ask about this fare and get more bang for your buck when flying.

9. Who do you know?

Do you know anyone in the airline industry? Airline employees enjoy the key perks of free travel for family and friends. The details are different for each airline, however most airlines will give business or first class seats to these passengers if they are available. So befriend someone in the business and save.

 10. Be mindful of your weight.

No, not your body weight, your bag weight! By packing carefully you can avoid any additional baggage fees that run you upwards of $50.00! Save your cash instead and pack smart. You will be glad when you don’t have to pay hefty additional fees.

Between long lines and security checks, airline travel can be stressful enough. Don’t add to the stress by spending more with an airline than you have to. By following these ten simple tips, you can not only snag tickets at a great price, but hopefully snag a seat upgrade and save on some baggage fees as well!

Travel, whether it be for business or travel should be stress free, so follow these tips and fly the friendly skies for a lot less. Now that you know how to save on airlines, you won’t want to pay full price for air travel again.

Are there any other ways to you save on airline tickets? 

For more traveling tips – check out more ways on how to save on travel.