Myths about Booking Flights & How to Find the Best Price
© Robert J Pierson
Posted by Maxime Boudrias
6 min read
Updated: Oct. 14, 2024
Looking to save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on your next trip?
I've put together a comprehensive guide that reveals all the current strategies to score the best deals. Learn how to avoid common flight booking traps and discover the top sites in 2024 for booking unbeatable airfare.
From how to buy a plane ticket online to the best tips for becoming a bargain pro, I'll walk you through every step. Don't book your flights before checking out this guide. You could be missing out on serious savings!
1. Avoid Myths About Booking Flights
First things first, let's clear the air! You've probably heard tips like booking a last-minute flight, buying a ticket on a Tuesday, or clearing your cookies to avoid price hikes.
These tips are outdated and based on minimal differences, like a 1% change in prices. Unfortunately, many websites still repeat these misleading ideas.
Are flights cheaper at the last minute?
Waiting until the last minute to book a flight is generally not a good idea. Prices tend to rise as the departure date approaches because seats become scarce. In the past, airlines would offer last-minute discounts to fill planes, but today it's the opposite. They overbook flights and use sophisticated systems to maximize profits, which drastically reduces those opportunities.
What's the best day to buy a plane ticket?
There's no magic day to score cheaper flights. Prices fluctuate based on several factors like demand, seasonality, and airline algorithms. The idea that Tuesday or 5 a.m. is the best time to book is a myth.
Does private browsing really help with flights?
The belief that using incognito mode or a VPN helps avoid ticket price increases is unfounded. Price fluctuations are driven by algorithms adjusting to supply and demand, not your browsing activity.
2. Compare Flights: Kayak, Skyscanner, Google Flights...
Flight comparison tools are essential for checking available offers and finding the best rates based on your preferences.
- Kayak and Skyscanner: These platforms are great for finding flights, but they also allow you to book hotels or rent cars, helping you spot the best deals quickly and save time.
- Google Flights: While you can't book directly on it, Google Flights remains a powerful tool for finding flights, redirecting you to airline websites or online travel agencies to complete your booking.
- Kiwi: This platform compares flights and offers interesting tricks like Skiplagging, which can save you a lot. I'll explain this method in more detail later in the article.
- Momondo: Known for its ability to include a wide variety of airlines, including lesser-known options, and for offering alternative itineraries that are often worth considering.
Pro tip: Don't stick to just one tool. Compare offers across multiple platforms, as each search engine uses different algorithms and can show you varying results.
3. Be as Flexible as Possible
Traveling during the off-season can cut your costs by up to 50%. Along with lower flight prices, you'll also enjoy more availability for accommodations. Sometimes shifting your departure or return by just a few days can make a big difference, so get in the habit of playing around with your dates.
To maximize your savings, consider flying into secondary airports near your final destination or opting for flights with layovers. I've personally saved hundreds of dollars by choosing a layover in Toronto instead of a direct flight to Montreal. And one of our writers, Ayush, recently opted for a long layover in Tokyo International Airport, Haneda, on his way from Vancouver, Canada to Bangkok, Thailand. He saved money on his flight, and he enjoyed a mini break in Tokyo!
Also, consider less popular flight times, like early mornings or late at night. These flights are often cheaper, even if they require sacrificing a bit of comfort.
4. Book in Advance, But Not Too Early
Buying your tickets several months ahead can help you snag great savings. However, don't rush to book too early, as airlines often adjust their prices based on demand and market trends.
For example, booking six months in advance isn't always the best strategy, since prices tend to fluctuate before stabilizing. Generally, the sweet spot is around two months before departure to get the best deal.
5. Set Price Alerts
Let's say you're torn between a trip to Rome or London. By tracking flights for both destinations, you might get an alert about a price drop for Rome, making your decision much easier.
Google Flights and Kayak allow you to monitor fares for multiple destinations and notify you when prices change. This helps you book at the perfect time without constantly checking prices.
If you're open to spontaneous trips, websites like "Scott's Cheap Flights" or "Flytrippers" specialize in incredible bargain fares. Sign up, and you might score a round-trip from New York to Paris for just $195!
6. Book Directly with the Airline
Once you've found a good flight, it's usually best to book directly on the airline's website, as it makes changes or cancellations much easier to handle.
While booking through third-party sites like Kayak or Kiwi is safe and can sometimes offer great deals, especially when booking layovers in one go, make sure you're confident about your dates.
Many travelers have faced frustrations, such as waiting months for refunds or hearing responses like, "You'll need to resolve that directly with the airline," only to be stuck bouncing between the travel agency and the airline. What a nightmare!
It's smart to compare prices between the airline's site and flight aggregators, then book only when you're sure of your choice.
7. Skip Lagging: A Double-Edged Sword
With rising inflation and increasing airfare prices, some travelers are turning to skip lagging to save money. This tactic involves booking a flight with a layover and getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from Paris to New York might be cheaper if you book a ticket from Paris to Toronto with a layover in New York, and then simply get off in New York without continuing to Toronto.
While this trick can sometimes pay off, it's not without risks. It could lead to your return ticket being canceled, the loss of frequent flyer points, or even being banned from flying with certain airlines. It's also tricky if you have checked baggage, as your bags will be sent to the final destination on your ticket.
If you decide to try skip lagging, go for a one-way ticket and pack light, taking only carry-on luggage with you.
8. Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs allow you to earn points or miles that can be redeemed for discounts on future flights. If you frequently fly with the same airline, these programs can be incredibly rewarding.
To maximize your travel points, consider using a credit card that earns miles with every purchase. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® American Express card lets you earn miles for every dollar spent.
With the right card, you could rack up enough points for a free flight just by covering your everyday expenses.
9. Avoid Paying Extra Fees
A $50 flight might sound like a great deal, but hidden fees can quickly add up. Here are some tips to avoid common traps:
- Skip baggage fees: Travel light with a carry-on backpack or cabin-sized suitcase, usually around 22 x 16 x 8 inches (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and up to 22 lbs (10 kg). Each airline has its own rules, so be sure to check the details before your trip.
- Make the most of your free personal item: You can often bring a small daypack, handbag, and your laptop without extra charges.
- Say “no” to unnecessary add-ons: Insurance, in-flight meals, seat selection... These extras usually aren't worth the cost. Opt for your own travel insurance and use a credit card that already covers cancellations or lost luggage. Check with your bank to see what perks your card offers.
10. Master the Art of Budget Travel
Traveling smart means knowing how to avoid pitfalls and keep more money for your adventures!
Booking a flight at a great price may seem complicated at first, but with the right strategies, it becomes a breeze. By following these tips, you'll be ready to explore the world without breaking the bank. So, stay flexible, use comparison tools, and watch out for hidden fees.
Happy travels!
FAQs
What is the Best Time to Buy a Plane Ticket?
It's perfectly normal to feel lost with all the mixed advice on when to book flights, especially because there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
What's important is to avoid falling for myths about the best time to buy. Contrary to popular belief, there's no magic hour or day to snag the cheapest flight. The timing depends on various factors like your destination, the season, and the demand.
Booking too early, like eight months in advance, isn't always smart because prices can still fluctuate significantly. On the flip side, waiting until the last minute can be risky since fares typically increase as the departure date gets closer.
Based on recent data analyses of hundreds of thousands of flights, the sweet spot for booking is generally around two months before your trip. That's when prices tend to stabilize, giving you a better chance of locking in a good deal.
To save money, it's key to use a solid set of strategies. Finding cheap airfare requires flexibility with your travel dates, smart use of online comparison tools, and keeping a close eye on promotions.
Can an Airplane's Wings Break Off During Flight?
The wings of an airplane do not break off in flight due to turbulence, and such an event is incredibly rare for any other reason. Modern airplanes are designed to be extremely strong and flexible, far exceeding the typical forces encountered during flight.
Why Don't the Wings Break?
Contrary to popular belief, an airplane doesn't have two separate wings but one continuous structure that passes through the fuselage. This design helps distribute strength across the entire wingspan, greatly reducing the risk of any kind of breakage.
In addition, modern materials like carbon fiber provide even greater flexibility than those used in older aircraft, allowing the wings to withstand extreme conditions.
How to Manage Anxiety During Flight
Feeling anxious during a flight is common, but it doesn't reflect the reality of air travel safety. Turbulence, while sometimes uncomfortable, is a normal part of flying, and commercial planes are built to handle it without any issues.
For tips on managing anxiety while flying, check out our guide on overcoming fear of flying, which includes practical advice to help you stay calm and relaxed throughout your journey.
Why Don't Airplanes Have Parachutes?
Commercial airplanes aren't equipped with parachutes for either the plane or passengers for several key reasons:
1. Aircraft Design
Planes are built to fly safely, even if all engines fail. They can glide and be guided towards an airport for a controlled landing. Using parachutes would make flying the plane impossible, which could worsen the situation.
Commercial aviation follows extremely strict safety regulations, regardless of the airline. So even if you book cheap flights with a less-known airline, aircraft safety and maintenance are always a top priority.
2. Weight and Space
Installing a parachute system for a large plane like an Airbus A320 or a Boeing 747 would require an enormous device. This would negatively impact the aircraft's performance without providing significant safety improvements. Plus, most accidents occur during takeoff or landing, when parachutes would be useless.
3. Parachutes for Passengers
Providing individual parachutes to passengers isn't a realistic solution either. Using a parachute requires extensive training and skills that most people don't have.
Imagine jumping from a commercial airliner at high altitude and speed, potentially in bad weather conditions—it's extremely dangerous and impractical.
4. Focus on Safety and Prevention
Instead of relying on parachutes, the aviation industry focuses on preventing issues and providing pilots with rigorous training. This is why flying is one of the safest modes of transportation.
If flying makes you anxious, understanding why airplane accidents are extremely rare and how planes are designed to handle emergencies can help make your flying experience more comfortable.
