Flight ticket booking: The smart way

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Is it time again to do some flight ticket booking?

The process of searching for and booking your flight can be quite tiresome and frustrating. Are you looking for an easier and smarter way to do it?

Here you will find some amazing tips on how to find the best flight deals which will save you both time and money.

Here they are:

Booking early = Cheap flights

As a rule, the price of plane tickets jumps in the final 3 weeks before the flight. If you’re able to book as soon as possible (within 1 to 4 months before departure), you’ll definitely save money. Not only that, but you’ll also have the chance to pick the seat you want - and that can be quite important. No one wants to be stuck next to the bathroom, and some people require more legroom than others.

There might be some last-minute deals if you can afford to book spontaneously just before departure, but don’t count on that. There might be no more seats left.

Some travel search engines like Google Flights and Kayak have a price predicting algorithm that could help predict if ticket prices will fluctuate or stay the same. However, have in mind that it can’t always be 100% accurate.

Flexibility is key

If you can be flexible, you will be able to find many good deals when it comes to flight ticket booking. For instance, the best days for flying are often:

• During the week;
• On the day of a holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)

There are fewer passengers on these days, which naturally results in lower prices.

Another way to save money might be to fly to a different airport than the one closest to your destination. However, make sure to calculate all additional transport expenses in advance and see if it is really worth it.

Price alerts work for you

If you are considering buying a plane ticket but aren’t in a hurry, why not set price alerts? That way, whenever the price drops, you’ll be immediately notified and will be able to book at the cheapest fare.

Note that ticket prices can often fluctuate daily. Even if the difference doesn’t seem much initially, it could add up quickly, especially if you are buying tickets for the whole family.

Connecting flights are often cheaper

Sure, connecting flights might slow you down somewhat or increase your stress levels a bit because of the transfer. However, sometimes they give you a great opportunity to save money.

The search engines let you filter flight itineraries by non-stop, 1 or 2+ stops. Flying mixed carriers is also an option.

However, it’s a good idea to leave plenty of time for your transfer. Otherwise, your first flight might be late and cause you to miss the next one.

But there’s also some good news if we’re talking about cancellations or flight delays of more than 3 hours - in that case, you’ll be eligible for flight delay compensation of up to €600! We at SkyRefund will help you claim it.

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Comparing prices is essential

Flight ticket booking directly from the carrier is what most of us probably do when we don’t want to be bothered. However, think about how many times you have missed out on some pretty cheap deals that way.

It’s always a good idea to compare prices with at least one third-party booking site like Skyscanner, eSky and Momondo.

Airline specials exist

Did you know there are sometimes amazing deals offered by airlines?

This could be either because they have just launched a new route and want to interest you, or simply because they want to sell the last few remaining seats on a flight.

Whatever the reason, keep an eye on these special (sometimes last-minute) deals that could save you money and don’t even require you to get on a red eye flight.

Collect award miles and travel credits

Many people say they can’t be bothered with these things. However, joining an airline’s loyalty program and collecting miles might help you save money eventually.

Another option is using a credit card with which you earn bonus points for every airline-related purchase.

Flight ticket booking: Conclusion

Now that you know these tricks for finding and booking the best flight deals, you can go ahead and test them out.

Don’t forget to check your airline’s baggage allowance too to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport and additional expenses.

What’s more, some airlines (like Ryanair) now charge you for checking in at the airport, so make sure to check in online.