Saving money on airfare

[sam_gordon]

Everyone talks about how to get the best rate on airfare. I read this article this morning and thought some might benefit (especially those who say they only do direct flights)...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...17/03/21/save-money-on-airfare-tips/99416548/

 

[PSUGuy]

Thanks for the article. We're at a point in life when we'll pay more to arrive at MCO quickly and early so directs are worth it to us. Also the time of year we fly is dictated by my work schedule and the way we stagger trips to get 2 trips in under one AP.

Bill From PA

 

[Disneybuckeye]

It would have to be a heck of a lot of money for me to mess with a layover. It never fails that it is either hours in between or we end up missing a connection for some reason or a another.

 

[AngiTN]

I was always afraid of connecting flights but to fly out of our local airport it's the only option.
So our choices are drive 2 hours to Atlanta or book out of an airport 5 min away and have a 1 hour layover in Atlanta or Charlotte.
Well, last year I noticed I could fly out of here for the same money as Atlanta so we tried it.
Turned out it was no problem. We did it 5 times last year and got so spoiled.
We went from having to drive 2 hours, worry about traffic/wrecks, get to the airport 2 or 3 hours before our flight dealing with goodness knows what at TSA, fly for 45 min then repeat the process with a 2 hour drive home following a tiring Disney trip
to
driving 5 min, getting to the airport just 1 hour before our flight, having no lines for TSA, fly for 3 hours, counting a layover, and then a 5 min drive home.
Guess what turned out to be way better? We started booking from our local airport if I can get flights within $100 of the Atlanta flights. Unfortunately, after making that work 5 times last year I can't get the flights low enough next month. We are going back to Atlanta and I'm dreading it

 

[AngiTN]

Just read the article, does this make sense to anyone? From Item 3. Is Friday cheaper or more expensive?

Usually, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays are cheaper than other days, with Fridays and Sundays being the most expensive

 

[Kaytie]

I think Friday in the cheapest days is an editing error. Generally it's Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

 

[ibob52]

Just read the article, does this make sense to anyone? From Item 3. Is Friday cheaper or more expensive?

Usually, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Fridays are cheaper than other days, with Fridays and Sundays being the most expensive

This is what I have heard (read) before:

Tuesdays - Wednesdays - Saturdays are less expensive (in theory)

Fridays and Sundays are more expensive (in theory)

Fridays cost more because business travelers are going home.

Sunday cost more because leisure travelers are going home.

 

[sam_gordon]

I was always afraid of connecting flights but to fly out of our local airport it's the only option.
So our choices are drive 2 hours to Atlanta or book out of an airport 5 min away and have a 1 hour layover in Atlanta or Charlotte.
Well, last year I noticed I could fly out of here for the same money as Atlanta so we tried it.
Turned out it was no problem. We did it 5 times last year and got so spoiled.
We went from having to drive 2 hours, worry about traffic/wrecks, get to the airport 2 or 3 hours before our flight dealing with goodness knows what at TSA, fly for 45 min then repeat the process with a 2 hour drive home following a tiring Disney trip
to
driving 5 min, getting to the airport just 1 hour before our flight, having no lines for TSA, fly for 3 hours, counting a layover, and then a 5 min drive home.
Guess what turned out to be way better? We started booking from our local airport if I can get flights within $100 of the Atlanta flights. Unfortunately, after making that work 5 times last year I can't get the flights low enough next month. We are going back to Atlanta and I'm dreading it

If I fly out of my "home" airport (35 minutes away), everything is a connection (unless I do Allegiant). I can drive 90 minutes and get some direct flights. I actually like to fly, so I'll save money where I can.

 

[MillauFr]

Thanks for the article. We're at a point in life when we'll pay more to arrive at MCO quickly and early so directs are worth it to us. Also the time of year we fly is dictated by my work schedule and the way we stagger trips to get 2 trips in under one AP.

Bill From PA

Directs are good but non-stop flights are even better. We always are willing to pay more for non-stop flights.

 

[PSUGuy]

Directs are good but non-stop flights are even better. We always are willing to pay more for non-stop flights.

What's the difference between a direct and non-stop? I've used both terms to mean a flight that takes off from my location and goes straight to my destination.

Bill From PA

 

[msjprincess]

What's the difference between a direct and non-stop? I've used both terms to mean a flight that takes off from my location and goes straight to my destination.

Bill From PA

Direct means you stop but don't have to change planes.

 

[PSUGuy]

Direct means you stop but don't have to change planes.

In that case we're non-stop people.

Bill From PA