Recession ahead? Tips for a cheaper holiday...
February 5, 2008If recent newspaper headlines about spiralling debt, falling house prices and stockmarket crashes have left your head spinning, we have the perfect cure for your financial hangover...
Take a break
The credit crunch might be in full swing but that doesn’t mean our all-important holidays have to bear the brunt. In fact, getting away from it all could actually be healthier for your finances than you think. The cost of air travel is more competitive than ever and the current value of the British pound against the dollar is still very strong, meaning that you can get more for your money abroad. And don’t forget all of those duty free savings to be found at the airport.
Find the best deal
When it comes to getting the best price for your flights, there are a few hard and fast rules to remember.
- Book early: flights rarely come down in price so it pays to book as far in advance as possible.
- Book online: some airlines charge additional fees for telephone bookings.
- Fly off peak: if you’re not constrained by the school holidays, take advantage of the cheaper fares available off season. Even families can save money by booking flights for the less popular holiday periods like the last week of August or May half term.
- Fly midweek: jet off on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and save a significant amount on your fare.
- Fly overnight: antisocial flight times are nearly always cheaper than midday departures.
- Be flexible: long-haul flights are priced by their departure date so if you are not constrained by specific travel dates wait for the most competitive price.
- Consider IT fares: IT stands for ‘inclusive tour’, an arrangement whereby long-haul flights are sold in combination with accommodation. An IT package deal can often work out to be as cheap or even cheaper than the cost of the flights on their own.
- Destination: anywhere: no-frills airlines like easyJet and Ryanair are always offering incredible flight deals to popular European hotspots like Brussels, Barcelona, Majorca and Dublin, so if you’re not choosey about where you go, you can pick up a real bargain.
- Try specialist agents: certain travel agents specialise in flights to specific international destinations and are able to undercut the ticket prices of the larger airlines.
- Switch airports: flying from your nearest airport might not be the cheapest route. Be prepared to travel a little further afield to get the best value fares, but don't forget to factor in any extra costs for transport to the airport.
- Avoid extras: some airlines charge extra for check-in, priority boarding, in-flight food and even credit card use so it pays to plan ahead. Arrive early to avoid check-in queues, take your own sandwiches and avoid paying for your holiday on credit.
- Always compare: flights deals differ enormously from airline to airline so it’s always worth using price comparison sites like Cheapflights.co.uk to hunt out the best fares to your desired destination.
- Sign-up for offers: many transport companies circulate details of their special offers and low-cost fares via email newsletters. You could also sign-up for the Cheapflights’ weekly Travel Deals Alert newsletter where our travel experts handpick the best flights deals available from your local airports.
- Keep checking in to Cheap Flight News: the Savings and Deals section of our website covers every major seat sale and promotional offer available from all the UK’s low-cost carriers and major airlines.
© Cheapflights Ltd Abbi Ayers
