How to Get the Best Deal on Your Flights

 It's tempting to believe that there is a secret to booking the best flight. For instance, it has long been believed that booking on a Tuesday results in the lowest prices. However, a recent rival theory suggests that Sunday may actually be slightly cheaper. The fact of the matter is that airlines have elaborate pricing policies that are difficult to refute. Having said that, there are some fundamental considerations to make when trying to buy flights online.

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1. Make your reservations in advance
to get the best prices on scheduled flights. How far in advance you should start looking depends on the destination, but it's best to start at least a few months before the trip. Typically, five to six weeks prior to departure, the lowest prices begin to appear.

Prices typically rise two to three weeks before a scheduled flight because business travelers will pay a premium to fly in a hurry.

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2. Be a little more flexible with the dates and times of your flights. 
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly. Using the "find lowest prices" feature of Skyscanner, you can display a graph of how prices change around your chosen departure date.

Additionally, flights that depart at inconvenient times typically cost less, but additional expenses may result if, for instance, there is no public transportation available upon arrival. Being flexible about the time of year is even better because airlines charge more when most people want to travel, like during school breaks or when the weather is especially nice in a place.

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3. Consider a layover
It may be tempting to book a direct flight, but if you're on a tight budget, enduring a brief layover can frequently save you a significant amount of money. Check the airport's own website to make sure the proposed schedule includes enough time for transfers.

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4. Know where the airport is. 
Low-cost airlines may use airports that are far from the nearest city. If it means traveling for an additional hour or two, it might not be worth saving even a small amount.

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5. Check the terms and conditions. 
The cheapest flights typically don't allow for much flexibility, so customers may have to pay a lot to change the date. A ticket may not be able to be changed at all in some instances. People whose plans are likely to change might have a problem with this.

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6. Pay attention to extras 
Many low-cost airlines, especially, charge extra for services other than the essential ones. If hold baggage is required, the cost may not be significantly lower than that of a conventional airline by the time it has been added. By flying only with hand luggage and bringing food on board, you can save money.

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7. Utilize hub airports
Flying to a major hub and then taking a separate flight with a low-cost regional airline can sometimes be cheaper. Verify that these choices are included in the results of your flight search.

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