Because plane tickets can be as expensive as a one-semester tuition fee…
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and just about any social media site would tell you to go out and travel different places; however, plane tickets are not that easy to grab especially when you’re tight on a budget. So, whether you’re going to Osaka, Japan or maybe heading to Paris, France for the Olympics 2024, here’s a few tips and tricks coming from someone who has worked at a travel agency before:
Book in advance
This tip should be a no-brainer; the nearer you are to your day of travel, the more expensive the tickets will be. It is recommended that you book at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially if you’re traveling internationally.
Avoid peak travel hours and days
Opt for flight times that’ll depart early in the morning or late at night, or also known as “red-eye flights.” Why? Because only a few prefer those hours which is why airlines mostly offer lower rates for its tickets. In addition to that, choose weekday departures such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays as these are less busy days.
Choose flights with stopovers
It’s a matter of supply and demand- more people prefer to have direct flights as opposed to those with stopovers and layovers. Therefore, those with stops have cheaper tickets. Although, you should also consider the airport gates that you’ll be going to and from and the layover time to make sure that you won’t miss your connecting flights. A general rule of thumb is to avoid 1-hour layovers at best, aim for at least 2 hours for a more efficient transfer from one gate or airport to another.
Beware of hidden costs
A flight price consists of tons of different variants, including taxes and many fees. So, if you want to make sure that your selection won’t be adding up to your ticket price, then check for additional costs such as fees for your seats, baggage, change fees, and cancellation fees. Of course, most economy tickets come with free baggage allowance, make sure that you inquire to your travel agent or the airline directly on what constitutes the allowable weight.
Stay updated for seat sales
This tip is perhaps the NUMBER 1 tip in booking cheap flights, whether domestic or international. You can simply subscribe to the mailing list of airlines, or maybe download their apps and turn on seat sale notifications. In the Philippines, airlines often offer PISO-fares or low-cost flights during the summer months.
So, Sugboanons, we are hoping that these tips will help you, be it your first flight or your 100th. And when you’ve traveled to your dream destinations, feel free to tell us your stories and experiences in the comments below!
