Smart Ways to Save on Air Travel (12 Expert Tips from a Frequent Flier!)

The travel season is upon us, which means you might just be getting ready to hit the road…..or the skies!

Of course vacationing with the whole family can be a challenge, especially when it comes to air travel. While one ticket might seem affordable, that same price multiplied by four or more gets very expensive, very quickly.

A few years ago, my husband and I booked tickets to fly my entire family to Australia, where I was going to be speaking at a conference. At that point it was by far the biggest trip (and most expensive) trip we’d ever taken. And even though a portion of our travel was covered by the conference, I have to admit that I took a mighty big gulp when I pressed that “purchase” button! International airfare for four is no joke!

Luckily for us, these days I fly pretty frequently for work, which means I’ve accrued lots of SkyMiles and frequent flier status on Delta. I’ve also learned that there are a number of ways for savvy travelers to save on the cost of air travel. From saving on tickets to keeping your extraneous expenses to a minimum, here are 12 smart ways to save on air travel for your next trip:

Smart Ways to Save on Air Travel

1. Shop smart online

Shop discount airfare sites. Sites like Expedia (my personal favorite), Orbitz and Priceline are online travel agencies, meaning they have access to deals and create discount packages to lure travelers. Kayak plugs your preferred dates into its search engine that looks at airline sites and agency sites to show you the price and options available. CarryOn uses crowd-sourcing to save members on airfare and hotels using group rates. As an added bonus, both Expedia and CarryOn will send you price alerts.

Once you’ve found the best deal, get cash back on your purchase and save even more by shopping through a cash back site such as Inbox Dollars.  Ebates, for instance will give you up to 4% cash back on all purchases made through Expedia, plus you can also accrue Expedia rewards points AND get air miles on the airline you are traveling with–a great way to triple dip!

2. Cash in those credit card airline points and miles

I know, I know. Credit cards are dangerous and we should all use cash only, ever.

As a big a fan as my husband and I are of Dave Ramsey’s principles (we have made it to Baby Step #7–woot!), I am not afraid to say that we do use credit cards. That said, we are also extremely diligent about paying off our balances each month. This is key!  If you can be just as diligent, then consider earning airline points through smart use of a credit card.

As a small business owner, I have found this particularly useful. There are a LOT of necessary expenses that come with running a business, everything from ordering supplies to paying for services and subscriptions. Per my accountant’s recommendation, I use my Delta SkyMiles credit card for every expense I possibly can, therefore earning as many SkyMiles as possible, which we can then use to pay for travel. This helps a lot!

These days many, many credit card companies offer mileage and points for every dollar that you spend. Not only that, but the dates are much less restrictive, and you don’t have to be a trained travel agent to figure out how to cash them in and use them for your travel. Many mileage points are transferable, so you and your spouse can use them interchangeably. Not only that, but they’re often accompanied by free baggage check-in and ticket insurance, preferred check-in status and even seat upgrades. (We’ll talk about some of the other benefits later on.)

3. Become a frequent flier with one airline

If you fly a lot, your loyalty to one airline can really pay off–more than you would save by always trying to get the very lowest fare. Frequent flier status is much more achievable these days, especially if you are smart about which credit card you use, as the right card can help you achieve preferred status much quicker. As a preferred frequent flier, you have access to discounts, special deals, better service, free upgrades and other great perks.

Here in Southwest Florida, where I live, the closest major airline hub is Atlanta. Thus, I chose Delta as my preferred airline of choice. Nearly every time I fly, I fly with Delta, and whenever I purchase airline tickets, I use my Delta card to get double miles. But that card is not just any card–for my business, I use a Delta Reserve card, which, in addition to regular air miles, awards bonus MQM’s (MQM’s are the special travel miles you have to accrue to attain frequent flier status.)

Those bonus MQMs help me earn higher status much faster than I normally would. The higher your status (Silver vs. Gold vs. Platinum vs. Diamond on Delta), the better your perks. And let me tell you….the only thing better than flying first class is being able to fly first class on a coach-priced ticket! (It’s living well & spending less at it’s best!)

Even if you don’t qualify for “preferred” status, you can still sign up with airlines that you frequent or that have a hub in your home state. For example, Frontier and Southwest offer great deals to the western US and Jet Blue has unbeatable prices if you live in New York; Delta has a hub in Atlanta, so you can find direct flights for a good price. Sign up for these alerts and you’ll get offers and sales right in your inbox.

4. Check with the airline directly

In the same vein of signing up for price alerts through your preferred airline, also check the airline’s site directly before you book through any other vender or agency. Sometimes airlines offer the best deals right on their website and you’ll find prices and time selection narrowed down. Not only that, but the airline sites are sometimes easier to work with, more simple and offer easier options if you have to change or cancel a trip.

5. Travel smart with insurance

Emergencies happen. Even if you think there’s absolutely no way you will cancel a trip, we all know sickness and other issues can come up out of nowhere. Before you pay the $50-$100 fee to insure your tickets through the airline, contact your credit card company. Even if you didn’t purchase the tickets using points or miles, some credit card companies will insure your purchase and save you the penalty and cancellation fees. See if your credit card provider offers trip protection before you buy tickets.

6. Be flexible and prepared

If you’re not picky about travel times or even dates, you can score the best deals of all. Obviously we can’t all spontaneously pack up and fly off to Cancun every time there’s an airline special, but having your passport ready and a few travel ideas in mind helps that weekend anniversary trip away seem more doable.

This flexibility can also pay off once you are at the airport. Airlines will frequently overbook flights and then ask for volunteers to be bumped. The less eager people are to change their plans, the bigger the incentives that get offered. If you’re not in a hurry to make it to your destination, you can score free tickets, upgrades, and sometimes even cash rewards.

7. Book one leg at a time

If you’re traveling alone or if you have really easy-going kids and you’re comfortable with flexible traveling, consider booking your trip one leg at a time. You may find a cheaper flight to Denver on one airline and make a connection to California on another. You may return home on a completely different airline or have an out-of-the-way layover, but you can save a ton of money in the long run. Before you hit “purchase” on the tickets, do the math, check nearby airports and get creative with deals.

This can be especially helpful when you are flying through lesser known, budget airlines such as Allegiant, Jet Blue, or Spirit.

8. Take a longer flight or schedule a longer layover

If you insist on always taking a direct flight (which yes, I know with kids can be a must), you’ll probably pay more. If you can work from the airport or don’t mind a little time in between flights or even taking a longer flight, you may save on your tickets.

An eight-hour layover can seem ridiculous to some people but many airports offer quiet workspaces, cafes, restaurants and reading material that can make your layover environment a decent place to spend some time. I’ve heard of more than one business executive that hold meetings right at the airport café and saves money on taxi fare, train travel and ground transportation (not to mention the time they save not having to travel to client offices). If you’re traveling alone or if you have a job that’s mobile, you might not mind a longer layover now and again.

The added benefit of longer flights and extra legs is that you can accrue more frequent flyer miles for the same trip and achieve status even faster.

9. Travel on holidays and less popular days

The day before Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial and Labor Day weekends are real travel nightmares. Expect long lines, delays, expensive tickets and other hassles if you travel on these days. Booking your flight instead on the holiday itself can make the experience less expensive and save you money. Tickets are frequently priced a little lower on holidays.

It’s also cheaper to fly on days that are less popular (Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday). The most expensive days to travel are Fridays and Sundays.

10. Book your flight on a Tuesday, 54 days ahead

Airlines launch sales on Mondays or early Tuesdays. As each airline lists their updated sales and prices, other airlines scramble to meet them to get your business. This exchange is usually completed by Tuesday afternoon. Obviously there are some airlines that offer other sales at hot times like before holidays and on special days (if business is slow, etc), so it’s not a hard and fast rule.

According to a study by CheapAir, 54 days before travel is the optimal time to book. (Seriously, they did a study of 4 million trips!) Obviously, that’s not going to be the same for every trip, but booking 8 weeks in advance is a good guide.

11. Avoid additional fees

If you can pack smart and bring only one carry-on bag per traveler, you’ll save on the customary $50/bag charge that nearly every airline has nowadays. Additionally, some airline credit cards will also give you one free bag per flight.

Avoid other fees for things such as seat upgrades, on-board Wi-Fi, movies, entertainment and snacks by planning smart and simple. Download your entertainment before your trip and watch from your laptop or access from your tablet. Come prepared with as many small comforts as you can. (Pack a neck pillow, bring a wrap or scarf to stay warm, and book an aisle seat for more legroom.) If you travel simply and smartly, you can forgo many of the little fees that quickly add up over the course of your journey.

12. Don’t pay for food

Jerry Seinfeld had a stand up bit about airports and food prices and how they seem to subscribe to a market price that none of us would ever consider in the “real world.” It is so true. Airline food is notoriously expensive, stale and unhealthy. Even soda, bottled water and fresh fruit can be pricey and less than ideal.

Bring an empty bottle through security and fill up when you get to your gate or waiting area. Dry snacks are easy to bring on and packing a few granola bars and other items can help save you from making an impulse purchase at a time of desperation. Even on the flight, the most you’ll get for free is a half-can of soda and miniature pretzels. Keep yourself and your kids happy with a few little treats so you can avoid splurging on the $10 worse-than-lean-cuisine-meal offered on the flight.

Another option, if you fly frequently, is to consider a club or lounge access membership. Some credit cards, such as the Delta Reserve, United Plus, or American Express Platinum, include membership to the Delta Sky Club or equivalent. The annual fee for these cards can be pricey–anywhere from $350-450 a year–but the benefits (beyond the bonus MQMs, which I mentioned above) can make it worth the fee. I estimate that having access to “free” food, beverages, and WiFi in the Sky Club probably saves me at least $30-50 on food and drinks per trip, which adds up to well over $1,000 a year for the amount I travel. It also gives me access to clean bathrooms, free wifi, and a quiet place to work, which makes traveling so often a lot more bearable! The Delta Reserve card also gives me one free companion ticket per year, & that perk alone pays for the fee.

Whatever your destination and whenever you decide to travel, planning ahead and doing your research can really help you save, plus, when you save on air travel, you’ll have more money to spend when you get there! If you decide flying is out of your price range and you simply want to get away, consider a road trip to save money and promote family bonding. Don’t shy away from the staycation either. And, if you do decide to brave air travel with kids, some careful planning and smart strategies can help ease the stress on yourself (and other passengers).

Happy flying!

Other  travel tips:

• 20 Smart Ways to Save on a Disney Vacation
• 8 Simple Ways to Save On Your Next Family Vacation
• How to Plan a Debt Free Vacation

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