Whether you are going on holiday or you’re travelling for business, or maybe to see family, flying can be expensive. With the cost of flights as well as adding on luggage and all the other costs of travelling, it can soon become an extremely expensive pursuit. However, there are certain ways in which you can make sure that you are getting the best deals or discounted flights so you have more money to spend when you get to your destination.
So, how can you find these cheap, discounted long haul flights to make sure you save your money?
Look for Last-Minute Flights on Charter Airlines
If you’re willing to take the risk of waiting until a few weeks before you are planning to travel, you may be able to find a great deal from charter airlines such as Thomas Cook, British Airways and TUI. This is because these airlines tend to work a little differently to others, relying on package holiday deals to fill up their seats. The closer they get to the day of travel, the less likely they are to fill up remaining seats with these holidaymakers, so they will often drop their prices.
This can result in big discounts, saving you a lot of money. However, it is quite a risk as you are not guaranteed that there will be any empty seats at all, particularly if you are planning on travelling during the school holidays. If you’re specifically looking for a last-minute deal, this may be a good choice, but if you have already booked your accommodation at your destination and are tied into a particular date, it is a risky strategy.
Use a Comparison Site to Find Flights
When you’re looking for flights, it’s probably not going to be particularly cost-effective to book the first flight you find. Hunting for good deals can pay off, but it can be time-consuming. This is why comparison sites are often the best way to find these great deals without spending hours trawling through all your different options. By searching with these sites, you’ll be presented with the cheapest deals available from airlines you may not have ever thought of, saving you time and money. You can use sites such as the following:
- Kayak
- Globehunters
- Momondo
- Expedia
- Adioso
Consider Adding Extra Stops
If you are willing to spend a little more time on travel and in airports to save money, an unconventional option is to add in extra stops. Adding in extra flights can actually save you money if you do it right. For example, you may be planning on travelling from London to Tokyo but the flights are going to be pretty steep. However, flights from some European cities are considerably cheaper. Cities such as Amsterdam, Stockholm and Frankfurt are known for offering cheaper flights, and the cost of flights from London to these cities is low as well. You could find yourself saving upwards of £100 this way if you find the right city to fly from.
Don’t pay over the odds for long haul flights. Use our tips and find yourself some great deals for your next trip abroad.
