Summer is one of the busiest times of year to travel. Kids and teachers are out of school, and everyone is in vacation mode. Whether you’re visiting our nation’s national parks, one of Disney’s theme parks, or planning a hop across the pond, here are 10 ways to get cheap flights this summer.
Use travel rewards for cheap summer flights
One of the easiest ways to save on airfare is to collect and use travel rewards with your favorite airline’s loyalty program. Southwest Airlines is one of the best when it comes to flexibility and paying fewer miles per flight.
What many people don’t realize is that it’s quite easy to earn frequent flyer miles without ever paying for a flight. For example, using a travel credit card — either the airline’s card or a flexible travel card — for your everyday spending is a simple way to rack up lots of points quickly.
Other easy ways include booking hotels through an airline’s hotel booking site, starting your shopping at airline shopping portals, or earning on meals out through an airline’s dining program.
Book flights early
I always recommend booking flights as early as possible, as prices tend to creep up closer to the date of travel and are especially high within 30 days. Many airlines, like Southwest, offer flexible policies, allowing you to get points or a travel credit if your airfare drops in price after you book it and you request the difference.
Check to see if the fare has dropped
Speaking of which, be aware if the airline you’re flying with will return the difference in price if the fare drops after you’ve booked. If so, be sure to check flights weekly (ideally on Tuesdays) and rebook or request a refund if you see a drop. Southwest Airlines, when you book with miles or points, will deposit the points difference back in your account. My family has saved tens of thousands of points over the years with just this one tactic.
Book cheaper flights on Tuesdays
Airfares tend to be lowest on Tuesdays; you’ll see many airlines release sales on this day. The theory goes that many people discuss travel plans over the weekend and book flights on Mondays. By Tuesday, the number of bookings drops, prompting airlines to lower their fares to encourage more bookings.
Fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for cheap summer flights
Especially within the U.S., Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fly. For years, my family has flown Tuesday to Tuesday, which has enabled us to save significantly solely by shifting our travel days. As you can imagine, many people depart and return over the weekend, and business travelers tend to fly on Mondays. Things slow down midweek, so airlines tend to discount their fares.
Consider alternate airports to save on airfare
Have you ever considered checking fares at a nearby airport to see if they’re less? For example, we often drive about 2 1/2 hours north of where we live in Indianapolis to Chicago to take cheaper flights. My rule of thumb is if the difference in price will allow us to take a second trip with the savings, we’ll make the drive.
When flying to Europe, consider making the hop across the pond from New York City or Washington D.C., which usually have the lowest fares to Europe. Flying from one of these cities to London or Dublin typically reaps the biggest savings. Take full advantage of this tactic by adding a couple days in London or Dublin to your vacation itinerary. Once in Europe, you can take a discount airline, like Ryanair, or a train to your final destination(s).
Skip the checked bag
There’s no escaping checked bag fees these days, and these fees can add quite a bit to the final price of your airfare. Our family has learned to use carry-on bags only — not just for the cost-savings but to save time at the airport and not have to worry about lost luggage. It’s simpler than you think to pack everything into a carry-on, as these bags often come with features to help you pack efficiently.
Use discounted airline gift cards
If you’re going to be paying in dollars and not miles, consider buying a discounted airline gift card at big box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club to get cheap summer flights. They frequently sell $500 airline gift cards for as low as $430, which can shave off some added expense.
Check the cost of buying airline miles
Did you know that you can buy airline miles at their cash value or less? Check airline websites directly for the cost of points. Some airlines offer sales with discounts to buy points, which is typically the best time to buy. Heads up: You’ll want to skip buying at checkout where prices tend to be higher. Compare what the price would be to book in cash versus buying the points and booking in points.
