By Rick Seaney | Contributor
Flying during peak travel periods, such as Spring Break, often leads to inflated ticket prices. Drawing from both my analysis of airfare data and personal experiences, I’ve seen this trend firsthand. For instance, in January, I explored flight options for a Spring Break getaway from Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale from March 15 to March 22, and the lowest nonstop fare was $250. However, when I adjusted the travel dates to a week later, from March 22 to March 29, the price decreased by $50.
The takeaway is clear: Airlines are aware of our travel preferences and adjust their prices accordingly.
Fortunately, there are several strategies to help lower travel expenses, contingent on your flexibility, whether for Spring Break or any major holiday. The rates mentioned here were obtained in January and are subject to change, serving merely as a reference for potential savings. Here are five tips to consider:
1. Purchase tickets individually
If you’re in charge of booking airfare for a group, keep in mind that ticket prices can fluctuate, even for economy seats. Always search for tickets individually. When you begin your search, instead of entering the total number of travelers, select one. This is due to a peculiarity in airline booking systems,
which dictates that multiple tickets purchased in one transaction must be at the same price point. For example, if you need two tickets and one is available for $100 due to a sale while others are priced at $200, buying them together means you’ll end up paying $200 for each, totaling $400. However, if purchased separately, you could secure the $100 ticket and spend only $300 overall. While this approach may not always guarantee savings, it’s worth exploring.
2. Travel on less popular days
When booking domestic flights, aim for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays as these days tend to offer lower fares. Testing this with the Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale route revealed that flying on Tuesday, March 17, and returning Saturday, March 21, was $60 cheaper than a Sunday-to-Sunday itinerary.
3. Opt for off-peak times
It’s common knowledge that flying during undesirable times—like early morning, mealtimes, or late at night—can come with reduced fare options. While it may not be the most enjoyable experience, the savings could influence whether you enjoy a sunny getaway or stay home.
4. Consider alternative airports
When searching for flights, don’t limit your comparisons to just one or two airports. Explore various nearby airports at your destination; typically, larger airports offer more economical fares. For instance, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is usually among the cheaper options, yet there can be instances when flights from Burbank or Orange County might be less expensive. If you’re traveling to southern Florida, it’s wise to compare fares to both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, which are only 25 miles apart.
5. Be open to layovers
Choosing flights with layovers rather than direct flights can sometimes yield significant savings. Recently, I came across a connecting flight from Dallas to London that was approximately $150 cheaper than a direct route. For a family of four, this could translate to almost $600 in savings. You will need to weigh if the trade-off of additional waiting time at the airport is worth it.
In conclusion, act promptly. Last-minute deals for holiday travel are becoming increasingly rare, so it’s best to book as early as possible. And remember, no single airline consistently offers the lowest fares, so be diligent in comparing prices. Safe travels!
