Best Strategies for Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
One of the most expensive costs of travel is the airline ticket. It’s not always easy to find dirt cheap airline tickets when you’re traveling on a budget, but there are a few things you can do to track down the lowest possible rate.
Several online travel agencies and third-party sites allow you to compare cheap flights from several aggregators, but you may not always have access to the largest selection at any given time. Here are some of the best strategies for finding dirt cheap airline tickets:
1. Book flights at alternative airports. When you’re heading to a major city such as Chicago, New York or San Francisco, you may be able to find dirt cheap airline tickets that arrive and depart at airports on the outskirts of the city, or within a short drive from the major hub. Consider booking your flight at an alternative airport to save on the cost of your flight.
2. Travel during the week. Book your vacation during the middle of the week and you may be able to find some of the lowest fares on both domestic and international flights. Mid-week is considered to be the slowest times for major airlines, so you can find many great deals simply by booking a flight that returns and departs on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
3. Cash in your frequent flier miles. If you’re part of a frequent flier program, or you have credit cards that allow you to earn frequent flier miles on purchases, you can lower the cost of airfare by cashing them in. Call your airline to find out how many frequent flier points and miles you’ve accumulated so that you can get a lower rate.
4. Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can travel outside a week before or after your ideal date, you may be able to get a better deal on your flight. Consider departing a few days earlier or later than initially planned and compare the cost of the flights. You may be surprised to find much lower rates simply because you’ve shifted your flight forward or back by a few days.
5. Avoid traveling on major holidays. Flights and travel packages are usually much more expensive over a holiday weekend and throughout the major holiday seasons. If you can help it, avoid traveling over the holidays or look for alternative travel and transportation options to secure the lowest possible flights.
There are several ways to find dirt cheap airline tickets, but you will need to plan ahead to get the best deals. Use these tips and strategies to find the best rates on airline tickets for both domestic and international destinations.
Tags: cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Secrets of Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets and Cheap Travel
If you’re like many travelers on a tight budget, you may be on a constant search for dirt cheap airline tickets and cheap travel packages. There are now dozens of travel sites that publish cheap airfare, hotel packages and travel deals, but only some are actually a good offer. In most cases, you need to time your booking and do some research to compare published fares and rates. Here are some of the top secrets savvy travelers know for getting dirt cheap airline tickets and travel packages:
Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
If you’re planning a trip overseas, or a trip that’s longer than two weeks, you can find dirt cheap airline tickets by booking two or more separate flights to cities along the route. In many cases, booking separate flights, instead of a nonstop or direct flight can save you a significant amount of money. Another way to find dirt cheap airline tickets is to either book several months in advance, or to book at the last minute.
Securing Cheap Accommodations
Instead of staying at a hotel or resort, consider renting an apartment, condo or staying at a locally-owned bed and breakfast. Renting an apartment for a week or month, or staying at a bed and breakfast is usually much cheaper than staying in a hotel or resort, especially during the peak season. Do some research about locally owned vacation rentals and book in advance to save on your overall travel package.
Other Ways to Save on Travel
In addition to finding dirt cheap airline tickets, securing cheap hotel accommodations and booking a cheap travel package, there are several ways you to save money on your entire vacation. If you’re staying at an extended stay hotel, condo or vacation home, you can cook your own meals and save money on the cost of food. Dining out expenses can really add up when you’re on vacation, so consider shopping at a local grocery store and making your own meals to save some money.
Another way to save on your travel package is to make a group reservation with friends or relatives. Traveling together can save you a significant amount of money on the cost of accommodations and even some forms of transportation.
There are several secrets budget-conscious travelers know when it comes to finding dirt cheap airline tickets and securing a cheap travel package. Use some of these tips to secure cheap airline tickets, reduced rates on accommodations and to save money throughout your trip.
Tags: budget travel, cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Tips for Finding Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets Online
When you’re looking for dirt cheap airline tickets for your next vacation or business trip, you can find a number of great travel deals online. More and more travelers are making their flight reservations through online booking sites to take advantage of seasonal deals, last-minute offers and no booking fees. Whether you’re heading to Europe or across the United States, here are some tips for finding dirt cheap airline tickets online:
Purchase tickets early – Many of the major airlines offer dirt cheap airline tickets to customers who book at least 21 days in advance. You may be able to secure the best deals when you plan at least three to four weeks out.
Compare airline fares from multiple sites – Today’s online booking sites are becoming increasingly competitive and will post very reasonable fares just to win your business. Don’t be afraid to compare fares from different travel sites to find dirt cheap airline tickets to your favored destination.
Sign up for fare alerts – Many online booking sites send out newsletters or send out fare alerts on specific routes and destinations that interest you. When you’re looking for dirt cheap airline tickets, you may be able to secure the best deals by signing up for fare alerts or an email newsletter.
Be flexible about your flight time – If you can manage it, consider booking for an alternative date or time. In some cases, you’ll find the lowest deals on airline tickets when you book a week after your preferred date, or even book a flight that’s later or earlier in the day.
Consider alternative airports – In some cases, it can be difficult to find dirt cheap airline tickets to and from the major airport hubs and cities. You may be able to find lower airfare at an alternative airport that is less than an hour’s drive away, and will still save money when you need to take a cab or train to your destination. Consider alternative airports near your first choice airport so that you can get a better deal on airfare.
Snag a last-minute deal – Some of the major airlines will post deep discounts on airfare that is booked at the last minute. If you have the luxury of traveling at the last minute, consider booking your trip 48 to 72 hours in advance. You may be able to get the best deals, and may even be eligible for an upgrade with this strategy.
Tags: cheap airfare, cheap airline tickets, cheap tickets, Cheap travel
Making the Most of Dirt Cheap Airline Ticket Sales
When you’re searching for dirt cheap airline tickets for your next trip, you may be able to get a great deal when an airline advertises a sale. Some of the major airlines frequently offer deep discounts on standard fares, but these do have certain restrictions, including flight times and round trip booking requirements. How do you get the best deal? Here are some tips for making the most of dirt cheap airline ticket sales:
1. Consider the cheapest days to fly. In most cases, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and sometimes Thursday. You may also be able find dirt cheap airline tickets for departures on Saturday, depending on the season and the destination. The reason for this is that the airlines know that many people want to enjoy an extended vacation time from weekend to weekend, so they will increase their rates on weekend days.
2. Avoid flying on Friday or Sunday. Fridays and Sundays are typically the most expensive days of the week to fly, and are often not part of an airline flight sale. If you want to find the lowest prices on airline tickets, make sure you’re not booking a departure or arrival on a Friday or Sunday.
3. Upgrade your ticket at the gate. If you’re looking for first class tickets during an airline ticket sale but can’t secure one, you may be able to upgrade at the gate for a much lower fee. Many airlines won’t make first class rates eligible for their airline ticket sale, but you may still have the option to purchase an upgrade when you arrive at the ticket counter. It doesn’t hurt to ask, so consider this when booking.
4. Consider a package deal. Some airlines may post dirt cheap airline tickets in conjunction with a discounted hotel rate. Consider booking a package when the airline posts sale prices so that you are paying a lower fee for the total cost of your trip.
5. Be prepared to make a round trip purchase. Almost all airline sales require making a round trip purchase in order to take advantage of the discounted rate. If you only need a one-way ticket, you may need to look outside of the advertised sale for the best offer. In some cases, the round trip ticket purchase will actually be cheaper than a direct flight, one-way ticket, so plan accordingly.
Tags: cheap airfare, cheap airline tickets, Cheap travel, Dirt cheap airline tickets
Best Time to Buy Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets
The price of an airline ticket can vary significantly from day to day, and even from hour to hour. How do you find the best bargains and secure dirt cheap airline tickets to your preferred destination? The trick to finding dirt cheap airline tickets is to time your booking based on when the airline publishes their rates, review flight schedules, and consider the airline’s airplane seat inventory.
Here’s how to know when it’s the best time to buy dirt cheap airline tickets:
1. Review airfare publishing times. Most of the major airlines and online booking sites will load the latest airfares into their booking systems within two to six hours after the fares are released to the global distribution system. Global distribution typically occurs on weekdays at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on weekends at 5 p.m. EST.
2. Wait for the latest flight schedules. If you can manage a last-minute booking, wait until the airline has published their flight schedule for a certain day and find out if there are any open seats available. In some cases, you will be able to pick up dirt cheap airline tickets when the airline has experienced several cancellations or a mechanical failure.
3. Find out what the airline’s seat inventory is. Airlines that are having trouble filling seats for a particular flight will sell some seats at a lower-than-average rate just to ensure the plane is flying at maximum capacity. If you can wait for a last-minute booking and don’t need to purchase the flight four to five months in advance, you could be paying a fraction of the cost of the regular price.
4. Book your flight in the middle of the week. Wednesday around 12:30 a.m. EST may be the best time to find dirt cheap airline tickets regardless of the time of the flight, simply because this is the time that many companies reduce their prices for the first 100 or so bookings. If you can plan your booking around this time, you may be able to get a great deal.
5. Check airfares posted on both third-party sites and the airline’s own website. In some situations, the best deal on airfare will be posted on the airline’s own site before it hits the third-party site. Take the time to check both sites so that you really are securing the best deal.
Easy Ways to Find Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets and Reduce Travel Expenses
Getting the best price on airline tickets isn’t always easy, but there are some tried-and-true tricks savvy travelers already use to find dirt cheap airline tickets for destinations around the globe. Here are some of the easiest ways to find dirt cheap airline tickets, and lower the cost of your next trip:
1. Book your inbound and outbound flights separately. Many third-party sites will encourage you to book a package for your flight and hotel, but don’t let those prices fool you. In some cases, especially for international travel, you can get a better deal if you book your inbound and outbound flights separately. Play with the numbers and see for yourself! You’ll be surprised how easy it is to find dirt cheap airline tickets this way.
2. Choose a room with its own kitchen. Food costs can add up fast while traveling and you can reduce travel expenses simply by doing your own grocery shopping and stocking up on healthy snacks. Find your way to the nearest grocery store that the locals use – not one that’s populated with tourists – for the best prices on everyday foods, and load up your refrigerator. You can order in or go out to eat for a special meal during your trip, but stick with ‘home-made’ meals for the rest of the day.
3. Book your flight as early as possible. Booking flights at least a month in advance can save you a significant amount of money, and give you your best choice of seats. Make your reservations at least 21 to 30 days in advance to snag the latest deals. Also consider booking a flight during the week instead of a weekend, since weekend inbound and outbound flights can be slightly more expensive regardless of when you book them.
4. Be flexible about your flight times. Sometimes the “red eye” flight or super early flight is almost half the price of a flight that leaves at a more ‘comfortable’ time, such as the mid morning or late afternoon. If you’re willing to get up a little earlier than usual, you can save a lot of money.
5. Take advantage of frequent flier miles. If you’re already a part of a frequent flier mile program, don’t be afraid to redeem your points. You can lower the cost of your flight and save on your overall trip costs.
Tags: budget travel, cheap airline tickets, cheap tickets, Cheap travel
Last Minute Super Bowl on a Budget
Traveling to the Super Bowl essentially eliminates the possibility of having a budget trip. Once you are in Super Bowl Central, Miami this year, you will find the cost of everything is driven up. If you want to save, try these tips to make your trip enjoyable and spend your money where it will go the furthest.
Try Ft. Lauderdale
While South Beach may be the place to party this week and weekend, but you will pay for it. There are plenty of nearby towns and areas that have nightlife, bars and restaurants but will get you out of South Beach. Consider making the short drive to Ft. Lauderdale. It is a bustling little city with plenty to do minus the expense of South Beach. Ft. Lauderdale has an undeniably younger vibe than South Beach, perhaps due to the expense, but college-age and young twenty-something partiers will find the scene plenty accessible enough.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables has a feeling of a suburb, which is either good of bad depending on what you’re looking for. It may be a bit boring for young guests at the Super Bowl. Families and older guests, though, will enjoy the array of dining opportunities to enjoy on the cheap. You will also find less expensive hotels, albeit out of the action. This is a good option for a family looking to enjoy a Florida vacation and fit the Super Bowl into the weekend.
Choose Flights Carefully
If you haven’t booked a flight yet, you may be in trouble, or you may find a great deal. Now is the time to take advantage of sites like Expedia and Travelocity. These sites needs to unload all of their tickets, and they will start dropping the price if they have yet to do so. Consider bidding on Priceline for your tickets. If you have never tried this, it is a good time to do so. It is less likely you will be outbid if you place your bid very close to the travel date. Flying back on Tuesday instead of Monday will cut your ticket price substantially. If you plan on renting a car, consider flying into Ft. Lauderdale instead of Miami. The two cities are extremely close together, but flights can be cheaper depending on the situation to one or the other.
Enjoying Miami
It doesn’t take much to enjoy Miami. The city has a local flavor unlike any other in the United States. If you are planning on extending your stay, consider these choices for relaxing on the cheap:
- Enjoy Cuban food. Like its Southwest counterpart, Mexican, Cuban food is often available at a much cheaper price than middle ground American dining. This is about the only thing the two cuisines share, though. Cuban food has a light, fruity distinction mixed with sweet flavors and generous helpings of onion.
- Party on the beach. Packing up for a beach day is among the cheapest ways to enjoy the city. Bring plenty of water, and relax or people watch on the white sand
Tags: miami, miami budget, miami for cheap, super bowl, super bowl budget
5 Ways to Say “No” to a la Carte Travel
Airlines today often expect passenger to pay for each item separately on a trip. This significantly drives up cost, but passengers can control these problems by looking for chances to bundle their expenses. This can be applied to all aspects of travel, not just air fare, to reduce the cost of vacation or personal travel.
- Look for Packaged Travel
Southwest and JetBlue do not charge for add-ons like checked bags or sodas. You can take this a step further by using an online service like Expedia, Orbitz or Travelocity. These organizations negotiate deals with multiple providers on the whole sale level. They then package these items, like air fare, hotel cost and rental car expenses into one package. Going with this type of package truly presents savings over buying each individually even with the site’s small markup. - Make Your Voice Heard
When a company charges for an item that you expected was covered in the original price, say something. Companies should disclose these items, like insurance on a rental car, up front. Companies are legally obligated to tell you this information before you book with them. If you tell them you are aware of this obligation, they may back down from the charges and give you the chance to avoid the fees. - Skip out on Bad Deals
There are many levels of a la carte chargers. Some are worse than others. The very worst tend to include: Spirit, Allegiant and AirTran. If you know an airline is very inconvenient due to added a la carte fees, then simply elect to take your business elsewhere. A good indicator you may be in for a pricey trip is the fee to book a ticket. If a company charges you a convenience fee to book online or over the phone, then think hard about booking. There is a mandatory September 11 surcharge of $10 imposed by the FAA. All other booking fees should be avoided. - Make Alternative Arrangements
Ship your baggage instead of checking it. Pack a carry on instead of a large suit case. Buy a water in the terminal instead of a soda on the flight. Do not pay to sit in the front bulkhead or the emergency row. Just plan on doing what you have to in order to avoid fees, and you will save hundreds of dollars a year on travel. - Join the Club
There are savings to be had with frequent flier programs and airline credit cards. Concentrating your travel to one airline alone often presents the best options to really cash in. When you use one airline repeatedly, you will get off without the added fees. Sacrificing a little flexibility will be worth the savings.
Tags: added fees, airline tickets, baggage fee, booking fee, cheap airline tickets
Consider Yellowstone for a Budget Vacation
Yellowstone National Park experienced a record year for tourism, up 7.5% from 2008 and 5% over its highest ever record. More than 1.3 million visitors came to Yellowstone despite a drop in the economy and less tourism spending nationwide. Why? Its easy to take on Yellowstone on a budget. Try these tips to enjoy the park, get outdoors, and still save a lot of money.
Avoid Car Fees
There is a $25.00 a week pass for your vehicle to view the park from the inside. But, many tourists report the Grand Tetons can be viewed from Route 89. You can also catch a glimpse of the beautiful mountains from U.S. 191 near Jackson, WY. Stop for a night in Jackson to enjoy the fresh air and sounds of wildlife. You will find the town quite affordable, particularly if you are traveling with supplies like lunches in your car.
Reduce Flight Expenses
You can fly into Jackson Hole, but this expense can be high if you are not careful with your travel dates. Most visitors to Yellowstone go during the summer months. However, fall and winter can present the highest visibility in the mountains and leave you with much lower crowds. Plane flights tend to be less expensive at this time of year. You will also find reductions on fairs by flying mid-week. Most visitors to the park are families, and they follow a school schedule as a result. Avoid school breaks in order to save the most money.
Save on Lodging
Lodging is cheapest if you avoid the crowded summer months. You also have the option of picking up a tent at a local store and visiting one of Yellowstone’s famous camp sites. Even if you fly in, you can leave the tents behind by donating them to a shelter. This option presents the chance to actually deduct the expense of the tent from your taxable income. You will find the total expense amounts to under a few hundred dollars for a family for an entire week once the deduction is applied. Hostels are also popular in the area. When staying in a hostel, you will find there is more comradery. This can be very helpful for first time visitors who are looking for advice on what to see and when to see it. Staying in a hostel does cut down on privacy, but the park offers moments for solitude during your visit.
Visiting on a Budget
Thankfully, it is easy to make your way through the park without spending too much money. Be sure to invest in some good layering clothing, sunscreen and bug spray. You will also want plenty of socks and boots if you intend on leaving a car behind. From there, ask local tour guides and visitors what they recommend. There is something for everyone at Yellowstone, and simply enjoying a book while taking in the views is an inexpensive activity most will enjoy. Remember to avoid breaking any posted signs, however, as the fines for doing so can quickly put an end to your budget trip.
Tags: budget travel, budget-friendly travel, camping at yellowstone, flying to yellowstone, yellowstone on a budget
Southwest 12 Days of LUV
Southwest Airlines is currently offering a promotion to provide $1,000 Southwest gift cards according to competition rules. The rules are announced on Twitter each day @SouthwestAir.
The basics of the 12 days of LUV competition are as follows:
Each of the 12 days from December 11 - 22 Southwest will post the rules for a photo contest on Twitter. You will have the chance to respond with a photo of your choosing by using the tag #swagc on the photo. If you win, you get $1,000 to spend on airfare through Southwest.
Contest examples
So far, the contest has included requests for photos of your favorite holiday attire or photos of decorations on your car. These simple photos result in one winner each day throughout the promotion. The Southwest Twitter account is updated with the rules for the current submission contest, and the account continues to update until the winner is chosen. Once the winner is announced for a single competition, the next competition rules are posted to the account. Southwest benefits by gaining more followers on Twitter, and you benefit by having a great shot at winning a number of free flights such by submitting a simple picture.
Why we love Southwest
If you follow this blog, you are aware we are often lauding Southwest’s efforts to bring you cheap travel. Southwest is one of the few airlines allowing your bags to fly free. According to recent market reports, the policy is bringing them huge payoffs in the long run. Aside from the bags fly free principle, Southwest also offers frequent sales on short flights nationwide. One-way tickets go as low as $24 on the airline, leaving many to wonder again and again how they do it. Southwest is among the most profitable airlines in the country, however, for the past many years.
Follow Airlines on Twitter
You may be surprised to note Southwest is not the only airline offering deals on Twitter. In fact, United and Delta often offer great travel deals on Twitter as well. You will also find hotel chains on the social network. Hilton, Hampton and other chains promote to their followers before promoting to the public. You can capitalize on deals other people are not even aware of by becoming a follower of the travel retailers.
Joining Twitter for the Deals
Okay, so you don’t think you’d like to have a Twitter account? Did you know you can join without even issuing a single “tweet.” A number of businesses and persons are members for the simple benefit of following others and capitalizing on the deals we have mentioned so far. Have a Google account? You don’t even need to be a member of Twitter in order to check the deals. Simply type in the name of the company followed by “Twitter” into Google in order to see a list of recent tweets from the member that interest you. You can subscribe to these updates through an RSS feed, allowing you to stay aware of what is going on without logging into Twitter.
Tags: cheap airline tickets, cheap flight tickets, free flight vouchers, free southwest flights, southwest 12 days of luv, southwest twitter
