Holidays are a great opportunity to relax, but the total costs can quickly add up. To avoid paying above the odds, experts have shared tips that will help you save on flights and reduce the overall price.
Choosing the right days to travel on and being aware of loyalty schemes are both great ways to save money.
Whether travelling the UK or abroad, CMO of Dragonpass Andrew Harrison-Chinn shared little-known tips to help you get the best deal. He said: "Booking flights in advance remains one of the best ways to save. Flying on certain days can also help reduce costs.
"Midweek flights - particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays - are often the most affordable for international journeys, while Tuesdays and Fridays tend to offer the best value for domestic flights.
Set up alerts and use private windows to get the best flight deals
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"Travelling during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings, can result in further savings."
Booking flights at these times can be slightly less convenient, but a great way to cut costs. Morning flights can also help you hit the ground running with your holiday as you arrive at your destination earlier.
Price alerts and private browsers are also good ways to find the best deals, the travel expert continued. He said: “Setting up price alerts using tools like Google Flights or Kayak is a smart way to track fare fluctuations and book when prices drop.
"You might also try browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cookies - some travellers believe this can prevent dynamic pricing based on search history, though results can vary.
"Using a VPN to check fares from different locations can sometimes reveal lower prices, as airlines and booking sites occasionally adjust rates based on your geographic region.
"In addition, websites like Voyage Privé offer time-limited deals on luxury holidays, giving you access to high-end stays at discounted rates. Loyalty programmes and travel perks can also go a long way in cutting costs.
"Some credit cards and bank memberships offer complimentary nights at participating hotels, discounts on dining, and access to airport lounges - helping you save on food and drink while enjoying a more comfortable travel experience.
“Finally, don’t forget practical tools like eSIMs when travelling abroad. If Wi-Fi isn’t readily available, using an eSIM can significantly reduce roaming charges and keep you connected without the hefty fees.
"By combining smart planning with the right perks and tools, you can make your holiday budget go further, without compromising on comfort or experience."
Prices of flights and hotels can fluctuate, but there are always deals to be had. One way to get a bigger saving is to take advantage of loyalty schemes that are available with many hotel chains or travel companies.
MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS
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Andrew continued: “To get the best deal on your flights, it's essential to leverage loyalty perks and rewards programmes. Many credit card providers and banks offer travel-related benefits like airport lounge access, Fast Track services, and more as part of their loyalty programmes.
“It pays to be loyal, although understanding what benefits are available, and how to achieve them, from your preferred provider is critical if you want to maximise being rewarded with relevant solutions to your personal preferences and circumstances.
"Many financial institutions benefit from extremely competitive pricing of services due to the packaging of products, as well as being able to get cheaper pricing due to a larger volume of customers.
“Having a relationship with the bank or card provider will allow you access to these packages of products. Should the package of products be relevant to you, say travel insurance, airport lounge and fast track access, hotel, and flight discounts, these are very efficient ways to get more value for less cost on your travels.
"Some card providers even offer spend-based rewards when you use their card abroad – for example, spend X amount and get a free airport lounge visit – rewarding customers with their preferred behaviours.”