Top 10 tips for finding the cheapest flight deals

Flights can be cheaper later on in the week and can also be cheaper if you travel during the week. Picture: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

EVERYONE wants a bargain and when it comes to cheap flights there are plenty of opportunities if you know where to look and when to book.

 We have spoken to travel industry experts to come up with the ultimate guide to finding the best flight deal.

1. Follow airlines on social networks

Many airlines alert customers to sales via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and sometimes offer exclusive sales to fans and followers.

Jetstar Australia has invited its 100,000 Facebook fans to vote on sale destinations and occasionally gives them access to sale fares 24 hours before they are on its website.

It has even offered 1000 seats for 2 each to Twitter followers.

“They love being the first to know about our sales and entering exclusive competitions,” Jetstar chief commercial officer David Koczkar says.

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AirAsia marketing manager Stuart Myerscough says Facebook works well with a big sale because fans have a couple of days’ notice before it starts.

2. Book early

The earlier you buy your ticket, the more you can save, particularly if you are travelling close to Christmas or during school holidays, a study by FCm Travel Solutions, the corporate division of Flight Centre, found.

“Our airfare studies indicate there are significant price rises on last-minute tickets or tickets bought a few days before travel with most domestic carriers, but travellers have the potential to save on their airfares by planning ahead and booking early,” FCm regional general manager Nick Queale says.

3. Buy flights at 4pm on Friday

Several airlines release their weekly sales on Friday afternoons, and once an airline drops its prices, others often respond within the hour.

GetFlight principal Ian Cumming says nearly a quarter of sale fares are published on Fridays, with Tuesday at 4pm the second-best time to buy.

“We’ve seen multiple price drops between competing carriers, resulting in savings of up to $50 for a one-way fare on the Australia to New Zealand route,” Cumming says.

“Therefore it pays to keep an eye on all airlines on your chosen route.”

4. Fly with lesser-known airlines

If you are prepared to fly to Europe on lesser-known airlines such as Air China, Korean Air or Air Vietnam you can find some good bargains.

“A lot of Australians want to travel around Christmas but in China they’re focused more on Chinese New Year, which is towards the end of January, so there are seats available during these periods and customers can obtain good, competitive prices on those carriers,” Directflights.com.au managing director Nay Phu Tran says.

“Similarly, where a lot of Australians go to Europe around June, July and August, it’s not peak season to fly via China.”

Tran says this also lets you to enjoy a stopover in another country.

5. Consider a package deal

Rather than arranging flights and accommodation separately, ask your travel agent about a package deal.

In some cases, the deal will include wholesale airfares that are only available as part of a package.

“The flights in these deals are special discounted airfares that are only available to travellers when booked as a complete package, so they are naturally a cheaper option,” Escape Travel brand leader Sally Wiseman says.

“Packages are also great value because hotels add in bonuses, such as free kids’ meals, massages or extra nights.”

6. Choose a holiday based on sale fares

Airfare website Getflight.com.au found Auckland had the most sale fares in the past few months, followed by Christchurch, Bali, Wellington and Singapore. Queenstown, London, Manila, Frankfurt and Paris rounded out the Top 10.

“There’s never been a better time to fly to New Zealand,” GetFlight principal Ian Cumming says.

“GetFlight has found fares as low as $97 one-way to Auckland from Melbourne and Sydney,” Cumming says.

7. Sign up to newsletters

Signing up to email newsletters from travel companies or airlines is a great way to find out about early-bird specials and the latest sale fares.

“If an airline releases a sale on a Friday, we will get a flash out to our database so people aren’t left to discover it three or four days later,” Flight Centre executive global marketing manager Colin Bowman says. “A limited number of the cheapest economy-class seats are available on any flight and they are always the ones to sell first.”

Bowman says if you see a good deal, lock it in. “At different times of year airlines also release early-bird fares in late September and early October we will start to see Europe fares come into the market for travel in the peak next year.”

8. Travel outside peak season

If possible, avoid peak travel times, such as Christmas, Easter and school holidays, which are very expensive times to fly.

You may also find cheaper fares midweek than at weekends.

“Look at flying to Europe in March or October, instead of during the summer or Christmas period when demand is high and flights are more expensive,” Student Flights brand leader Darren Lloyd says.

“Young people and students, who have time up their sleeve, should consider flying midweek, too.

“The more flexible you are with your travel dates, the more you can take advantage of cheap flights when they go on sale.”

Directflights.com.au‘s Tran says some airlines offer cheaper fares if you travel on Tuesday and Thursday.

9. Extend your search on the web

Lesser-known websites such as jetabroad.com.au, zuji.com.au and wotflight.com were the best comparison sites, according to a recent study by consumer group Choice.

It found savings of $463 on flights between Sydney and Los Angeles on the same dates.

“After you have found the lowest fare on the comparison website, it’s worth going directly to the website of the airline. That way you will avoid the costly surcharges on some comparison sites,” a spokeswoman says.

She warns some websites can charge hundreds of dollars to cancel bookings, while others charge processing and booking fees.

10. Get someone else to do it for you

If you are time poor, not very internet savvy or have a complicated itinerary, the best way to get a good deal could still be to get someone else to do it for you.

“A good travel agent will make sure that the total value of your flight package from the costs of getting to and from the airport, to what’s included in the flight, to the cost of the flight itself and how best to use your loyalty points to extract maximum benefit all adds up to the best possible value for you,” Travelscene American Express general manager Jacqui Timmins says.

Follow @escape team on Twitter and “like” Escape.com.au on Facebook for the latest sales from all Australian-based airlines.

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