Inflation is affecting everything these days, including travel. With prices soaring, finding ways to get a deal is more important than ever. If you’re like me and love to save money on flights, you’ll appreciate this simple hack that can help you save hundreds. Let’s dive into the details!
Collect Travel Points and Be Flexible
First, a few basics. Collecting travel points is a great way to save on flights. Being flexible with your travel dates and times can also lead to significant savings. Traveling during the shoulder season, when demand is lower, often results in cheaper flights. Sometimes, booking long-haul flights as separate segments can save you money. For instance, last June, I traveled from St. John’s to Lisbon by booking a round-trip flight to Toronto on points and then a separate flight from Toronto to Lisbon on TAP, which was cheaper than Air Canada.
The Hack: Rebook When Prices Drop
Contrary to popular belief, flight prices can go down after you’ve booked. This hack involves monitoring flight prices and rebooking if they drop. Here’s how you can do it:
Find Airlines with No or Low Change Fees
To make this hack work, look for airlines that have no or low change fees. In 2020, United Airlines eliminated change fees for domestic flights and flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Delta also removed change fees for flights originating from the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. American Airlines has no change fees for travel starting in North or South America. These policies can be a game-changer for saving money on flights.
Book Your Flight Carefully
When booking a flight, be sure to read the fine print. Many airlines offer basic fare options that don’t allow changes. For this hack, you need a ticket that allows changes. Google Flights is a great tool for searching flight itineraries and prices. I always book directly with the airline but use Google Flights to compare prices and options quickly.
Set Up Price Alerts
One of my favorite features of Google Flights is the price alerts. You can set up notifications for your itinerary and get emails if the prices change. Other tools like Skyscanner, Hopper, Going, Kayak, and Airfarewatchdog also offer price alert features.
Change Your Flight If the Price Drops
If you’ve booked a flight with an airline that has no change fees and the price drops, go ahead and change your flight. You won’t get a refund, but you’ll receive the difference in fare as travel credit, which you can use for future flights.
Know the Rules
It’s essential to understand the rules of the airline you’re flying with. Some airlines allow cancellations, while others only permit itinerary changes. If your airline allows cancellations, you can monitor prices from all airlines. If it only allows changes, stick to monitoring the airline you booked with. Even if you’re flying with an airline that charges change fees, it might still be worth paying the fee if the price drop is significant.
Conclusion
By being flexible and using this rebooking hack, you can save a lot of money on flights. Always keep an eye on flight prices and be ready to make changes when you see a good deal. Happy travels and happy saving!
