Trying to find a good deal on airfare?
It often feels like a game of luck! And with so many tips and tricks floating around online, it is easy to be misled. Many times, you follow random tips you find online, only to find out they are a waste of time and money. Some of these travel hacks may seem convincing, but not all of them hold up when applied to real situations.
So, let’s set the record straight! Here are five common myths about booking cheap flights and what you should know before your next trip!
1. Booking in Advance Means a Lower Fare
There is a popular notion that booking a flight at the earliest gets you cheaper prices!
While this may seem logical, it isn’t always true! Airlines usually adjust prices by factoring in demand and the seasons. They also consider how full the flight is. This means fares can rise or drop many times before the flight takes off. At times, booking too early may end up with you paying a higher rate if lower rates are released later.
Instead, you should monitor prices for a while and wait for that sweet spot!
For domestic flights, this tends to be one to three months in advance. For international travel, two to six months is usually the ideal time for travel. Flight tracking tools can also help here, as you can get alerts when fares drop. This way, you do not have to keep guessing when to buy.
2. Flights Are Cheaper on Tuesdays
You may have heard this one before- booking on Tuesdays to get the best deal!
This tip may have been true years ago when airlines released weekly sales on certain days. Today, though, flight prices keep changing according to supply and demand and booking patterns. Deals may appear on any day of the week, and this includes weekends too.
Rather than relying on one day, be flexible! Look at fares over multiple days or weeks to find trends. You can use Google Flights’ calendar tools to compare dates. This may help you get a lower price.
3. One-way flights are Always More Expensive
It is also assumed that one-way tickets cost more than round-trip charges. This was true earlier, particularly with legacy carriers. However, it is not a reliable rule anymore. Many airlines have since adjusted their pricing structures. Also, with competition from low-cost carriers, one-way pricing is now more competitive.
Depending on the airline and the route, booking two one-way tickets, sometimes with different carriers, can be quite cost-effective. At times, it may be even cheaper than booking a round trip. Always compare your options before locking in the fare. You may be surprised how often the numbers work in your favor.
4. Clearing Out Your Browser Cookies Reduces Prices
There is a widespread belief that airlines track your searches and raise prices if they see repeat visits. While this sounds suspiciously accurate, there is little evidence to support this notion. This implies that cookies do not affect airfare prices. Prices tend to shift because of changes in demand and not your browsing behavior.
If prices jump after multiple searches, it could be a coincidence, too. Or it could be the result of increased demand on the route. That said, browsing in incognito mode does not hurt if you get peace of mind from it. However, do not count on it as a strategy to save a dime. Instead, try to compare prices across various platforms and book when you feel the time is right.
5. Budget Airlines are the Most Economical Option
Budget carriers usually publicize very low base fares!
However, these rates do not represent the actual flying cost. When you add dues for baggage, seating, food, or boarding pass printing, the real price could be surprisingly high. In many cases, conventional airlines offer similar or even a lower all-in rate, and that too with better service.
For routes with long travel times or layovers, full-service carriers may offer even better value. These flights come with added perks. Hence, it may be worth checking the total fare and not just the one you see in the ads before you decide. It is important to see the full picture of what you’re paying for when booking a flight. The aviation industry relies on components like the Skydrol hydraulic fluid to ensure safe and responsive aircraft systems. Your booking decision should also factor in maintenance costs required for a safe arrival and departure. Do not just rely on ads that promise surface-level savings only.
Conclusion
If you want to book the cheapest flights, do not follow one golden rule only!
Instead, be flexible, carefully compare your choices, and understand how fares work.
Myths like Tuesday bookings, clearing out your search cookies, etc., will only send you down the wrong path and cause you to miss out on better deals. You can always use tools that track price changes and focus on timing, not mere superstition or hearsay. Keep your research sharp, stay open-minded, and travel smarter.
Photo Credit:
Photo 1, Credit to Freepik || Photo 2, Credit to Freepik (CC0 1.0)
