How do I get Airfare cheaper?

[julluvsdisney]

Please tell me any secrets you have! how long before your trip do you book? Do you book one at time( I saw the other SW thread ). i'm getting so frustrated! It's never been this difficult to get a deal! TIA!

 

[Marionnette]

Please tell me any secrets you have! how long before your trip do you book? Do you book one at time( I saw the other SW thread ). i'm getting so frustrated! It's never been this difficult to get a deal! TIA!

Flexibility is the key to finding good airfare.

• Fly T, W or Th for vacation destinations
  
• Fly at off hours
• Check alternate airports
• Use discount airlines and don't pick your seat, check bags or carry on too much (if there's an additional charge for any of these)
• Be prepared to pull the trigger the moment that you see a fare that you can live with.

 

[julluvsdisney]

Thank you! I've tried 1-4. I guess I'll have to keep searching and pull the trigger next time I see anything good !

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

The Kayak and Southwest Apps are good to have to compare flights/times/cost. When I'm looking for flights I check each site every day sometimes twice a day as prices can change throughout the day. Kayak allows you to search all airports around you as well as check different dates. I haven't found a way to do this with Southwest yet so I check each airport individually.

Keep track of what prices are now for other similar seasons (high season, mid season, low season) to gauge what you'd be paying at 30 days, 60 days, 90 days out etc. My family is going to the Bahamas next December - I'm checking flights for THIS year to gauge what my cost should be and at what times it's least expensive.

 

[julluvsdisney]

I feel like I've taken on a part time job just searching flights. It's such a bummer! I remember when it cost me $150 round trip per person! I'm facing $300+ and that includes a layover. That's a hard pill to swallow! I guess I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet! Would you pick a layover if it meant saving 300-400 dollars ? We always fly direct because the one time we didn't we missed the layover due to a storm and we got stuck in the Atlanta airport all night ! That was awful! No bags no change of clothes and the ac was blasting! Needless to say we have a fear of layovers!

 

[Minnesota!]

We don’t mind layovers – even with getting stranded in Atlanta a few times. We take the cheapest option – so if it means a layover, so be it.


We did just score $59/person to Orlando, though….8 weeks out. Cannot beat that. There are deals to be had, if you obsess about checking, like I do, ha!


I will not fly if it is over say, $260/person. We just will reschedule the trip to a cheaper time.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I feel like I've taken on a part time job just searching flights. It's such a bummer! I remember when it cost me $150 round trip per person! I'm facing $300+ and that includes a layover. That's a hard pill to swallow! I guess I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet! Would you pick a layover if it meant saving 300-400 dollars ? We always fly direct because the one time we didn't we missed the layover due to a storm and we got stuck in the Atlanta airport all night ! That was awful! No bags no change of clothes and the ac was blasting! Needless to say we have a fear of layovers!

I think you do what's most comfortable for you budget wise. I figure out a budget and get as close to it as possible. If that means doing a layover, then we do it. If you're going to do a layover I'd suggest at least an hour and a half layover to account for delays and getting to the gate on time and possibly grabbing some food if need be. If I'm only going over a budget by $100 to do a non-stop I'd most likely do it but $300-$400 is a lot for me.

 

[Monykalyn]

airfarewatchdog will let you set alerts for the routes you want and notify you of price changes/trends. It is great if you have some time to to track flight costs-helps to let you know when it is good to "pull the trigger"

also google flights also lets you search multiple airlines and has flex dates option to show you how to get cheaper prices. It doesn't always have Southwest airlines though as they may release dates/flights differently.

 

[Monykalyn]

oh-also consider checking one way fares on a couple different windows (each way)-sometimes there are cheaper flights to be had booking one way on one airline and booking one way for home on another. Actually did this on an upcoming trip-over $100pp...more work yes. worth saving the money-yes

 

[MandyyA]

Another tip is to book 6-8 weeks out for international flights and 2-4 weeks for domestic. Also, Skyscanner and Skiplagged are great websites to look at as well.

My mom has been able to get dirt cheap prices on domestic flights about 5 days before I'm actually supposed to leave. Don't always trust you'll find something that close. I always look at the Kayak price graph (for confidence in buying) and I've found it surprisingly helpful.

 

[julluvsdisney]

Thank you all for the helpful hints! I just booked my airfare finally! I ended up going with two different airlines with one having a layover and the other being a direct flight! I saved $600 total! I spent 250 per person which is exactly where I wanted to be! I'm so glad I don't have to keep searching! I'm ready for my vacation to start! 7 more weeks!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Best way to check flights is using Google Flights. It will offer suggestions for cheaper flights. Looking at their fare calendar is very helpful.

The best search engine out there!

 

[cindala]

Also matrix.itasoftware.com is a good site to use. You cannot book a flight from them, but gather the flight info you need and then book directly through the airline or travel agency.

 

[MillauFr]

I fly Alaska and when you sign up for their credit card they give you one companion fare ticket per year for $121 RT. It is a pretty good deal especially for those Seattle to Orlando or Hawaii tickets that can run $600-$700 RT. Many other airlines also have similar programs.

 

[Dancind]

Yes, you can't assume Southwest has the best fares anymore. Started looking for ABQ to PDX a few weeks ago, and SW was about $400 round trip. Did a Kayak search and found Alaska Air for about $240. Big difference! Went to book Alaska and decided to check SW once more and they were having a sale. Got the ticket for $213! It's got to drop and be competitive since gas is cheap right now, keep checking.

 

[Albort]

skiplag if you dont have check baggages.

Also try to look up flights in incognito mode. Statistic show that airlines base price on where you live.

 

[JWigs]

Agreed with using companion passes for cheap airfare or using two one way tickets Sometimes works too.

 

[DisMommyTX]

In a 3 year span we have booked approx 30 RT flights on Southwest points. All were $5.60 each way plus a single annual fee on 4 Southwest cards. We also used points from Chase Sapphire and Freedom cards (which didn't count towards the companion pass but did transfer at 1:1). We always book one way flights so you can change any legs that get cheaper and have the points refunded. We usually reserve flights the first day they are released on the SW website, then rebook later when they have sales. Usually (except for holidays and peak travel dates) we get the lowest fares during an advertised sale between one month after fares are released and 2 months before actual the flight. RR points and the Companion Pass have enabled us to take over $10,000 worth of flights for about $500 total!

 

[indyannamom]

Interesting tips! Congrats to the OP on getting your tickets booked!

Can anyone explain how the companion pass on SW works?

 

[MillauFr]

skiplag if you dont have check baggages.

Also try to look up flights in incognito mode. Statistic show that airlines base price on where you live.

That is more of an urban myth.