Rules Frequent Flyers Should Follow to Save on Airfares
Malaysians can get cheap airfares every time they travel and all they need to do is to follow insider secrets to booking flights. With an estimated 12 million Malaysians traveling each year, it is easy to assume that this is due to the affordability of outbound travel. While this is true, based on a report from the Malay Mail, Malaysians who fly several times a year still spend thousands of ringgit per annum for airfares alone. The good news is, there are ways to save on this travel expense.
Bargain Hunting
For frequent travelers who need to be careful with their funds, saving money on airfares often begins with comparing deals. However, bargain hunting is not just about comparing prices, it is also about looking for hidden savings. According to Helloworld’s John Constable, splitting one’s journey leads to huge savings. A traveler from Malaysia, for example, can fly out to another Asian destination on their way to Europe. Another tip, according to Webjet’s David Galt, is to look for an alternative airport when flying in or out of any city. Galt says that alternative airports often have cheaper airfares because large international ones pay more taxes. What is good about this is it is applicable all-year-round and can also be used during the busiest times of the year.
The Right Time,The Right Day
FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney told reporters in May that the cheapest flights are scheduled very early in the morning, during lunch hour, or dinnertime. According to Seaney, most flyers tend to book flights with comfortable schedules and choose Fridays and weekends to travel. Weekday flights are relatively cheaper and if travelers book an early morning flight on a weekday, they will be saving more on airfares. Booking early is also a good option but this can vary. The sweet spot, according to a US News report, is booking 50 days in advance.
Free Alerts from Comparison Sites
Major booking sites have airfare alerts sent through email. For those who travel to a particular destination frequently, signing up for these alerts can be quite helpful. Digital tools such as Hitlist, Secret Flying, and The Flight Deal can ping travelers when prices go down while sites like Google Flights or Kayak enable users to specify routes they usually take and can even key in travel dates to get notifications when the airfares to said locations fall.
Take a Look at Budget Airlines Separately
While flight aggregator sites are useful, it is also a good idea to take a look at every budget airline in the area to save some money. Comparison sites cannot quote all the airlines that fly to the traveler’s destination of choice. To take advantage of bargains from airlines not included in these sites, it is best to take a look at their websites. It is suggested by sites like FareCompare and Kayak for frequent flyers to do their homework to ensure that the airfare they are looking at will be the price they will pay for as some details can be easily missed or forgotten. This includes costs for checked baggage and other extra charges. Doing the maths is essential for those on a budget but it must be done right.
Choose the Right Credit Card
Frequent flyers who are loyal to a particular airline can get a cards tied to that airline. The industry is all about relationships and cheap airfares often depends on who is asking for it. Credit cards tied to an airline brand, for example, can offer perks such as free checked bags, seat selection, and the like. Cheap airfares are all about research and being creative with routes and how to get huge discounts. For frequent flyers, combining all or some of the tip above can translate to thousands of Ringgit in savings. – Travel Feeder
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
