The cost of flying isn't always the price of your ticket.
Once you get to the airport, there are plenty of opportunities to spend more money. Everything from airport meals, bottled water, snacks, entertainment, baggage fees, and other little expenses can quickly add up.
The good news is that you can avoid many of these costs with a little planning. Here are some simple ways I save money when flying.
(I am not a financial expert. All information is based on my own personal experience and research. This information is not meant to be financial advice and is just for educational purposes. This post includes some affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.)
Before your flight
1. Hold your flight before purchasing
This is a neat little feature I found when booking directly with the airlines. Most, if not all, of the major airlines allow you to hold a flight for free for a certain amount of time. This is a great money-saving feature to take advantage of because the price of an airline ticket can change daily.
I’ve had a few experiences where the cost of tickets increased overnight. During one of those experiences, the cost of the ticket increased by about $70. I was so glad I decided to hold the ticket for 24 hours for free because I was able to book it at the lower price.
Most, if not all, airlines have some type of loyalty program where you can earn points and then use them towards flights. Many also have a credit card that can be used to earn additional points when you use it to make purchases.
Additionally, some airlines offer discounted fares and even free checked bags if you have and use an airline credit card. I get free checked bags with my airline card, and I've been able to save hundreds of dollars as well as the energy I would have spent lugging a bag around an airport.
Another plus is that getting a ride to the airport can cut down on your overall travel time because you don’t have to factor in time to park your car and get from the parking lot to the terminal.
Additionally, I use the clothes in the carry-on as a backup in the event my checked luggage gets lost for a day or two. I also pack some of my more important toiletries in my carry-on. This way I don't have to spend money on products I already bought.
To fit all of these items into my carry-on bag, I use packing cubes. These are lightweight cubes that you can pack your items in and then put the cubes into your suitcase. They help you save room and keep everything organized in your bag.
The cost of buying a reusable water bottle is so much less than buying water when you travel. If I think about how much money I could end up spending on water when I travel, I easily make my money back and then some.
When it comes to reusable water bottles, I like using ones without a straw when I travel, like those from Simple Modern. The reason is they are easier to pack into a bag and are usually made to not leak.
Great cost-efficient snacks that pack well are trail mix, granola bars, chips in a can, fruit snacks, or pretzels. My snacks have also been a lifesaver when I was at my vacation destination and got hungry but couldn't get to a restaurant.
I’ve had a few experiences where the cost of tickets increased overnight. During one of those experiences, the cost of the ticket increased by about $70. I was so glad I decided to hold the ticket for 24 hours for free because I was able to book it at the lower price.
Related read: Travel Perks You May Not Know Your Credit Card Has
2. Pay with rewards or loyalty points
Using rewards or loyalty points is a great way to save money on your plane ticket. I've seen several posts from finance and travel bloggers sharing how they were able to rack up enough loyalty points to trade in for cheap, even free, plane tickets.Most, if not all, airlines have some type of loyalty program where you can earn points and then use them towards flights. Many also have a credit card that can be used to earn additional points when you use it to make purchases.
Additionally, some airlines offer discounted fares and even free checked bags if you have and use an airline credit card. I get free checked bags with my airline card, and I've been able to save hundreds of dollars as well as the energy I would have spent lugging a bag around an airport.
3. Get a ride to the airport
Depending on how long you’ll be gone, getting a ride to the airport can be cheaper than leaving your car there. Especially if you're going to be away for a week or more. Find a friend or relative who can drop you off and/or pick you up. You can also use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.Another plus is that getting a ride to the airport can cut down on your overall travel time because you don’t have to factor in time to park your car and get from the parking lot to the terminal.
4. Pack an outfit or two in your carry-on
While I haven’t had to use them, I always pack at least one change of clothes in my carry-on when I check a bag. This helps me have more room in my checked bag so I don’t go over the limit and also have room for anything additional I bring back.Additionally, I use the clothes in the carry-on as a backup in the event my checked luggage gets lost for a day or two. I also pack some of my more important toiletries in my carry-on. This way I don't have to spend money on products I already bought.
To fit all of these items into my carry-on bag, I use packing cubes. These are lightweight cubes that you can pack your items in and then put the cubes into your suitcase. They help you save room and keep everything organized in your bag.
During your flight
5. Take an empty, reusable water bottle
I like to have water with me no matter how I travel, and I don’t want to pay a lot for it. When I travel for pleasure, I tend to take an empty reusable water bottle with me. This way I can get through the security checkpoint and fill up my reusable water bottle at a fountain near the gate. It’s also nice to have a reusable water bottle on hand when I’m at my destination.The cost of buying a reusable water bottle is so much less than buying water when you travel. If I think about how much money I could end up spending on water when I travel, I easily make my money back and then some.
When it comes to reusable water bottles, I like using ones without a straw when I travel, like those from Simple Modern. The reason is they are easier to pack into a bag and are usually made to not leak.
Related read: How To Afford A Vacation Without Going Into Debt
6. Bring snacks from home
When I fly, my eating schedule gets all messed up. I either miss a meal or have to eat a meal earlier or later than normal. And not all flights provide a complimentary pack of pretzels or peanuts. So I’m always grateful when bringing a snack from home.Great cost-efficient snacks that pack well are trail mix, granola bars, chips in a can, fruit snacks, or pretzels. My snacks have also been a lifesaver when I was at my vacation destination and got hungry but couldn't get to a restaurant.
Do you have any money-saving tips for air travel?
Although i mainly book through airlines, i always check site like expedia for various deals. I also check daily to see the pattern of when prices go up and down month in advance before i book. Great tips!
ReplyDeleteI've tried using Expedia in the past, but tend to find better deals for hotels than for flights. Good idea to look for a pattern in the flight prices. Thanks for reading Tomes!
DeleteI always only travel with carry on luggage. Saves a lot of money as a lot of air companies now charge for ckecking in luggage.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I tend to carry-on my luggage more often than not as well. The exceptions being if my trip is 3 days or more I check a bag. Especially if I'm flying American cause I can check a bag for free with them or Southwest who allows two free bags.
DeleteThanks for reading Lisa K!