Flights are definitely one of the most expensive travel purchases, especially for all of us Down Under, but with insider knowledge and the right tools, you’ll be able to stay a cut above your mates – paying a fraction of the cost in the process. To help you get the best bang for your buck in 2017, we’ve rounded up our top tips for saving on airfares – use them wisely and it’s possible to snag a bargain that’ll save you hundreds.
- Be loose with your dates and destination
Basically, you want to fly when other people aren’t – the lower the demand, the cheaper the flights! This means being flexible with your travel dates and holidaying during off-peak times or shoulder seasons. If this is unrealistic, you can still save some moolah by flying on particular days of the week – some are cheaper than others and these vary depending on the destination. For example, our research* shows that Tuesday is the cheapest day for Aussies to fly to the US, while Saturdays are the most expensive. Comparing flight prices is easy on KAYAK – simply select the ‘flexible dates’ option when searching, so you can see the cheapest flights +/- 3 days.
If you’re not fussed about your destination, play travel roulette with our Explore tool. Simply enter your departure airport, travel dates and budget and the interactive world map will reveal a tonne of potential destinations for your next trip. You can even filter your search depending on the type of holiday you’re after, e.g. a romantic getaway or ski slopes.
- Get ready to pounce
Book now or wait? This is easily one of the biggest questions you’ll face when buying an airfare. You’re not a mindreader, so how on earth do you know if prices are on the verge of dropping, or increasing? We’ve done the maths with our Price Forecast feature so you can see at a glance whether the prices in your search are likely to rise or fall in the next 7 days – we’ll even tell you how confident we are! Better still, set up a Price Alert and we’ll keep a close eye on your favourite destination for you and send the latest deals straight to your inbox!
- Hack the world
If you’re a hardcore bargain-hunter then you’ll know there’s nothing better than the feeling you get when you manage to beat the system. Just like you, we love a good hack – that’s why we came up with ‘hacker fares’. Never heard of them? Let’s say you’re after a weekend getaway to Hamilton Island, and the best fare you can find is $500 return. Instead of going for the round-trip, a Hacker Fare involves buying two one-way fares on separate airlines – it’s often a hell of a lot cheaper. Whenever you’re searching flights on KAYAK, we always include Hacker Fares in the results.
- Go your own way
New York may be top of your travel list but a return flight across the great Pacific can set you back a couple of thousand, especially during peak periods. Now we’re not saying you should ditch your Big Apple dreams completely, just consider choosing an indirect flight. Sure, you’ll be adding hours to your journey but the fares are often significantly cheaper and you get to discover another exciting destination in the process. Check out the multi-city search feature and add one more destination to your itinerary through a stopover. Some common places to stop on the way to NYC include Beijing and Abu Dhabi – or you can even take a break in LA or San Fran for a taste of the west coast!
- Outsmart hidden fees
Carry-on luggage is generally included in the cost of an airline ticket, but don’t assume your 23kg of checked-in luggage is too. There are more and more budget airlines flying internationally these days, and many of them will make you pay extra for anything and everything that goes in cargo. If you aren’t prepared you’re bound to get stung at the airport check-in desk and the charges can be seriously steep! Credit card fees are another nasty add-on and can vary from airline to airline, and from card to card. If you’re not paying attention, paying with the wrong card could result in hefty surcharges. Our advice? Skip the credit card altogether by paying with POLi – an online payment method that allows secure payment for goods and services using internet banking. The cost of flights can be directly transferred online, avoiding any unwanted fees.
- Pack a lunch
Budget airlines might offer ridiculously cheap flights but they make up for it by making travellers pay for food when onboard. Let’s face it, no one reaaaallly wants to pay $15 for a dehydrated egg and lettuce sandwich, Pringles and a soft drink – but if eating-while-bored is your vice then it can be easy to empty your wallet, even on a brief 2-3 hour flight. Skip the overpriced food and drinks and save yourself coin for beers on the beach at your destination by bringing your own snacks from home. Foods like wraps, dried fruit and nuts and crackers are easy to prepare and keep fresh. Check out this article for more inspiration.
With all these tricks under your belt, you’re well prepared to go on your mission to ‘find the cheapest flight’ – Good luck and happy travels!
*Analysis is based on the average prices of flight searches found on nz.KAYAK.com from 1st November 2015 to 31 October 2016, for any travel dates in between 1st January 2016 and 30th June 2017, departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to the following destinations in the USA – New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Orlando, Chicago, Honolulu, Dallas, and Seattle. Prices are subject to change, and offers may no longer be available.
