Summer is right around the corner, and many Texans are looking to beat the heat this year by getting out of dodge. For some, that means flying the not-so-friendly skies. The least we can hope for is cheaper airfares, right?
Andrea Ahles, airline reporter with the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, has five tips for ways to save on air travel.
1. Where you’re flying out of makes a difference.
“You have seen, on average, airfares down about 6 percent, but it really kind of depends on what city you’re flying out of. Unfortunately – some routes out of Austin and maybe San Antonio – you are going to see slightly higher fares simply because there’s not as much competition on air flying routes out of those.”
2. You can save big if you’re willing to fly no-frills.
“If you want just bare bones, wanting to get from point a to point b, there are the ultra-low fare carriers – like Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines. Consumers will find advertised fares for $9 one way.”
3. Be aware of the fees that can come along with those airlines.
“It’s really cheap, but the catch on that is that you don’t get a seat assignment. You’re having to pay for a checked bag or a carry on bag, either way … maybe in some cases up to $100.”
4. Be flexible about your departure days.
“You are going to see the cheapest airfares on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights. That’s when airlines see the lowest demand for their routes, particularly from business travelers. … You’ll see higher airfares for flights that leave on Fridays and Sundays.”
5. Take the time to really shop around.
“There’s all sorts of aggregate websites where you can sign up for fare alerts. Airfarewatchdog.com is one, farecompare.com is another. It really is best to take your time and really look around.”