Travel providers expect to see a huge surge in holiday bookings when new rules come into effect this week,with prices also predicted to rocket. With fears over price rises linked to rising costs for airlines, more people are searching for a holiday bargain.
There are some hacks that can be used to limit costs but it means travellers have to be flexible with their arrangements. Some suggest that Sunday is the best day of the week for booking, while others would argue that it depends on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally.
It’s not only the day of the week that can affect the price. January tends to be the best month to book a trip, with an average flight price of £47 cheaper than those booked in July. But, of course, prices and trends vary by destination and length of flight, and other factors including seasonality and weather.
Charles Stewart, managing director at foreign exchange provider, eurochange, shares his simple tips for finding best priced flights. Here's his advice.
Be flexible on dates
Generally, cheaper flights can be obtained by booking three to four months in advance of the intended travel date. Being flexible with forward planning normally helps to secure the cheapest flights. In some cases, last minute deals on flights can be found, especially if not particular on exact dates.
Mr Stewart said: “If you’re stuck to certain time frames, such as school holidays, being flexible on the airline provider will also allow you to find cheaper rates, because budget airlines often don’t include add-ons in their initial cost.”
Check the calendar
For those lucky enough to be able to travel outside of the school holidays, cheaper flights can be obtained by sticking to term time. For the best rates, take advantage of off-peak months and do research into timing of school holidays ahead of planning.
Mr Stewart added: “Airline providers are clever when it comes to their prices, ramping up the ticket cost when there’s a guaranteed demand. So if you don’t want to be stung, make sure to also look out for any major sporting events that might be happening around the time of your holiday.”
Don’t worry about internet history
It’s long been suspected that airlines use recent searches to increase prices on flights that a passenger has already searched, but data suggests that this is not the case. There is little evidence to prove this theory and instead, the price of a flight is probably increasing because of limited availability.
Be aware of add-ons
More often than not, flight comparison sites are the best place to find value flights. However, it’s important to remember that the first price seen may not be the full cost. Check in advance how much a chosen airline will charge for seat allocation, baggage and food.
Mr Stewart said: “Some airlines offer package deals which include flights, hotels, baggage, coach transfers and more, so it’s worth considering this option if you want a bargain. There are many other factors to consider when it comes to planning the perfect bargain holiday, including hotel cost, price of a meal and travel money.
"To get the best rate on your travel currency, you’re always better exchanging before you head on holiday. We always recommend bringing local currency to your travel destination, so it’s important to plan ahead and consider that purchasing travel money at the airport can be extremely expensive.”
To find out the current rate for a destination, use eurochange’s currency rate calculator.
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