Travel Hacks 1 of 12: 6 Ways to Save on Airfare

Planning a trip overseas? Airfare will probably be your most significant vacation expense. Fortunately, there are many ways to save on airfare to leave you with more to spend at your destination. Here’s a list of five ways to save on airfare.

Be flexible with dates and destinations
If you’re willing to be flexible about the dates and destination, you can potentially save hundreds on your airline ticket. Instead of choosing a date and destination for your vacation and then searching for the best prices, select a date and destination based on the best available deals. 

Shop smart online
Harness the power of technology to score the best airfare price. Searching sites and apps, like Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline, is like using multiple travel agencies to find the best flights for your vacation. Kayak, another popular travel app, plugs your preferred dates into its search engine and searches airline sites and agency sites to provide you with all the prices and options available. 

Act quickly to snag mistake fares
When an airline accidentally discounts a ticket, you can snag a flight for as much as 90% off its conventional price. Mistake fares get snatched up fast, so check your favorite airlines and flight apps often so you don’t miss a deal. 

Consider booking with a foreign currency
If you’ll be flying a foreign carrier, it may be cheaper to pay for your ticket with the local currency of your destination. Before paying for your flight, check to see if it’ll cost less if you don’t pay in dollars. It can sometimes actually cost more this way, but you can often save a lot by simply changing your location from the U.S. to your destination.

Book early
You’ll typically find the best deals on international flights 3-6 months before the departure date. If you’ll be traveling during peak times, like summer or during the holiday season, start your ticket search even earlier. Flights are updated constantly, so check often to get the best deal.

Use the tips outlined here to get the best deal on your tickets and keep your vacation budget intact. Consider opening a Vacation Club account to help lock in your savings.

Happy travels!