A Yeshiva University student may spend thousands of dollars per year on airfare alone. Unless you live a bus or train ride away from school, going home for vacation can rack up hundreds of dollars. For parents of students who are already shelling out for the meal plan, dorm fees, frequent Mendy’s outings, and other student expenses, the cumulative price of flights per year is an additional financial burden on the already costly student budget.
Betsy Magilnick, a senior at Stern College for Women, says “I wish I could pay $7.95 for an off-peak ticket on American Airlines. But this is the price you pay for being an ‘out-of-towner.’” Realistically speaking, many students like Betsy will probably end up paying closer to $200 to go home for the holidays.
There must be a cheaper way. Out-of-towners, I have come to answer your plea. Here are some tips to help you save money when booking your next flight.
Flexibility is key. Being flexible with travel times and dates can significantly decrease the price of airfare. For example, a Virgin America one way flight from JFK into LAX for the Friday before Rosh Hashana ranges between $195 to $396 depending on what time of day the fight takes off. Let’s take the cheapest flight on Friday September 14, which departs at 7:00 am, and change the date to Wednesday September 12—just like that you watch the cost of the seat drop from $195 to $129, saving you over $60. Generally, flying during the middle of the week is the least expensive, while weekends are the most costly. When you can, fly midweek.
Tip two is easy enough—technology. Use search engines to compare prices when researching the cheapest flight. Many of you are probably experts at navigating the traveling sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia, but it is worth reiterating that finding the least expensive flight requires research. Don’t forget that some airlines will not post their flight information on such sites, and that it is worthwhile to check the popular airlines’ websites for comparison. Virgin America is a perfect example of one such airline that usually does not post their flight listings on travel sites but will often offer low priced alternatives.
Organization and scheduling are key as well. Buy tickets early, but not too early. Rick Seaney, one of America’s experts on airfare, writes in his article, “The Best Time to Buy Airline Tickets”, that airlines begin posting their sales around three to four months before the departure date. He warns, however, that tickets purchased before four months prior to flying will generally be “priced at mid-tier level.” This “magic window” of savings, as referred to by Fox Business writer Andrea Murad, peaks around 18 to 21 days before departure where you will find ticket prices at their lowest.
On that note, also be sure to purchase your flight early in the week. Airlines generally hold their sales between Mondays and Wednesdays. There is a myth that Tuesday is the cheapest day to buy, however this is not a hard and fast rule. Rick Seaney writes, “Airlines follow a herd mentality. If one starts a sale, most of the others will follow; if one raises prices, the others will soon catch up.” If you shop for tickets during the sale days, you will find the airlines battling with each other for the best sale, and therefore you will save money on the same flight that would have been more expensive if you booked it on a Thursday.
Receiving emails and updates from select airlines will help save money. Signing up for notifications will not only inform you when that airline is having a sale, but will also update you about specific flights that are at their lowest rate. Usually, you have to buy such tickets within a window of a few days, but it is well worth it to save the extra money. Signing up for a “points” system with an airline that you travel with often will reward you every time you fly with them, either with points towards another flight, hotel, or other travel expenditure. Frequent flyers, keep in mind that it is beneficial to make the airline your friend—signing up with them for deals is a worthwhile venture.
Regardless if you are a frequent or rare flyer, saving money while traveling will pay off. Although finding inexpensive flights requires time, patience, and research, you will be grateful to save the extra cash. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, spent over $500 on a round-trip flight that could have cost half that amount had it been using the frequent flyer tips.
Whether you are flying to a vacation destination, home for the holidays or jetting out for business, try these travel tips next time you book your flight and let the savings speak for themselves.