Today, it’s no secret that international airfare is usually one of the biggest expenses of any overseas trip. It is important to know that it could vary largely depending on the type of seats and the country you visit.
The good news is that there are multiple ways to save money on international flights. Advance flight booking, loyalty program rewards, and price alerts are popular ways to save on international flights. In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at ways to save on international flights in detail.
Booking Flights in Advance
One of the easiest ways to save money on international flights is to book your tickets well in advance. It is common for airlines to list their seats at lower prices several months before departure. You can try it yourself and check that fares often increase as the travel date gets closer.
Does booking in advance really save money? Yes, but it is important to know that timing it right is the main factor. That doesn’t mean you need to book a year early. Booking too early or too late could result in higher prices.
Key Highlights:
- Lower prices at the last minute are less common for international routes.
- Try checking for the latest promotions for different airlines.
- Smart users usually book 3 to 6 months before travelling.
Try Being Flexible with Dates
This booking tip has more to do with your travel planning. One may be able to find lower airfares if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Depending on the day of the week, season, or holidays, the prices can frequently fluctuate. If your schedule allows, try comparing fare prices several days before and after your preferred travel date. Make sure you do this months ahead to avoid any last-minute hurdles.
Key Highlights:
- Prices can spike during weekends due to high demand.
- Try comparing fares across several days.
- Shifting your trip by a day or two can sometimes lead to noticeable savings.
Check Different Booking Platforms
Flight prices can vary across different airlines and booking platforms. This is why comparing fares before making a purchase is essential. Platforms such as Skyscanner, KAYAK, and Expedia allow users to check fluctuating prices across multiple airlines and travel agencies.
Although one can save a lot of time on finding the lowest prices, it is best to check the airline’s official website. Some people book hotels and flights together to get the best value.
Pro Tip: Use aggregators exclusively for research, but try booking directly on the airline’s official website
Key Highlights:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to book international flights.
- Some airlines provide special discounts for booking directly.
- Don’t forget to check refund policies.
Check Savings Platforms
Finding offers for a single airline can be straightforward. On the other hand, checking all available discounts across all major airlines can be exhausting. Most travellers care less about the airlines when they are getting the best deals. This is where savings platforms such as CouponzGuru come in. Travellers can find all available offers on international flights in one place.
Using coupon codes and booking at the right time could ensure additional savings.
Key Highlights:
- Don’t forget to apply available coupons at checkout to get the instant discount.
- Savings platforms remove expired offers regularly.
- Airlines offer per-passenger discount codes from time to time.
Use Airline Miles & Travel Rewards
Airline loyalty programs such as IndiGo BluChip and Emirates Skywards are a great way to save money on international travel. These programs allow travellers to earn points(also referred to as miles) whenever they book a flight with their respective airlines. These rewards can be redeemed for discounted flights, lounge access or seat upgrades.
The airlines’ loyalty programs are popular among frequent international travellers. Below are loyalty programs for popular airlines.
Best For: Frequent Travellers
Key Highlights:
- IndiGo: IndiGo BluChip program
- Emirates: Emirates Skywards
- Qatar Airways: Privilege Club
- American Airlines: AAdvantage
Avoid Extra Airline Fees
Sometimes the advertised price ticket does not reflect the final amount. Many airlines today charge additional fees for certain services. These include checked baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and in-flight meals. Hence, you make sure to carefully review what’s included in the fare you’re booking.
Key Highlights:
- You can get charged extra for excess weight per kg.
- Get a portable luggage scale to ensure you don’t cross the limit.
- Review the airline’s baggage policy before finalising the booking.
Set Up Fare Alerts
Flight prices can change frequently, sometimes even multiple times in a single day. This is why it is better to use fare alerts to track price changes and receive notifications. It’s better to set up multiple price alerts months before you plan to go on a trip. This gives you more time to monitor trends and get the best prices.
Main Purpose: Get Price Alerts Straight to Your Email Inbox
Key Highlights:
- Find out when flight prices increase or decrease.
- Try setting alerts weeks or months before your departure to check for the best prices.
- The best platforms to set up price alerts are KAYAK and Skyscanner.
Ending Thoughts
In this guide, my main goal is to help you conduct your own research and use savings platforms to get the lowest possible prices. There are no guarantees of getting the lowest airfare every time. Hence, try exploring all suggestions before booking your next international flight. You will get good at predicting prices once you start noticing trends.