by Rick Seaney
A reality check: flights during the summer typically aren’t budget-friendly. Besides Thanksgiving and Christmas, summer is one of the most expensive periods to travel, especially around the Fourth of July. However, there are still strategies to save money, sometimes significantly.
1.) Get an electronic assistant.
Many airfare comparison websites, including mine, offer options to subscribe to airfare alerts. This means great deals can be delivered to you with minimal effort on your part.
What you can do: Conduct a quick fare search to your desired vacation spot to gauge initial prices, so you’ll be able to identify a fantastic deal when it appears. If you receive an alert for a favorable price, act quickly. The lowest fare seats are often in limited supply.
2.) Fly early or late.
Airfares in early to mid-June and mid- to late August tend to be much cheaper compared to peak travel times. During school holidays—when kids are out of school—prices tend to increase.
What you can do: If you don’t have children or your children are too young for school, take advantage of these less expensive travel times. If that’s unfeasible, keep reading.
3.) Fly on the least expensive days.
Generally, the cheapest days to travel year-round are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Many travelers prefer a Friday departure and Sunday return, which is exactly when the airlines capitalize, raising prices due to demand.
What you can do: Aim to fly on the least expensive days both to and from your destination. If that’s not achievable, try to incorporate at least one of these cheaper days into your travel plans to save money.
4.) Opt for connecting flights.
Have you heard of the convenience tax? While it’s not a formal charge, it’s a significant factor. We often end up paying more for the convenience of direct flights. While non-stop routes can sometimes be the best deal, it’s often the case that connecting flights can be up to 60% cheaper.
What you can do: Compare the prices of non-stop versus connecting flights, including the total travel time. It’s your decision if the savings are worth it, but typically they are; plus, it can provide kids a chance to stretch their legs during layovers.
5.) Choose the right luggage.
Before grabbing a large suitcase, consider if you actually need that much space. Carry-on bags are not only free on most airlines but also stay with you, eliminating the risk of loss. I utilize mine on trips to both Europe and Asia.
What you can do: Visit your airline’s website to review their fee structures. Several low-cost carriers charge for carry-ons, and many basic economy tickets from major airlines do as well.
6.) Enroll for expedited security.
Time can equate to money, and nothing wastes time quite like waiting in lengthy security lines. Instead, take advantage of the quicker PreCheck lanes and keep your shoes on.
What you can do: Sign up for PreCheck membership, which costs $85 for five years, and children 12 and under can enjoy the benefits under a parent’s membership for free. For those traveling internationally, consider Global Entry, which includes PreCheck (though children of all ages are required to pay for this membership).
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