Travel is an expected expense for companies that need to deal with people or other companies that are based in other countries. But even with such an ear-marked expense it would still be good for the company bottom-line if you can cut costs on your travel expenses. Some people do it by making well thought out frugal decisions like renting a luxury serviced apartment instead of far more expensive hotel rooms.
You’d be surprised to know that you can also gain savings in your airplane fare. While you can’t really haggle the price of a plane ticket there are still some things you can do that can lead to lower ticket prices that may pleasantly surprise you:
Compare the flights of different carriers
The quest to save up on plane ticket prices begins with research. Many people think that plane ticket prices are not just fixed, it is also universal. While prices are fixed in that you can’t negotiate for a lower rate, the rates themselves differ from carrier to carrier. Go online and visit a travel booking website and compare the prices of each carrier. You may be surprised at the significant price differences.
Book directly with the airline
Even though you use a travel booking website for your research you shouldn’t be using it for booking your flight. These sites earn money by imposing an extra fee. Eliminate the middle man by booking through the official website of the carrier you’ve chosen. There are added benefits to visiting the airline website. Sometimes there are flights that are listed on the site that is not listed on the aggregate websites. You should also book through an actual customer service representative and not through the website. The CSR will often have access to information that is not available on the website.
Choose other airports
You can usually get a cheaper far if you book a flight that will land at a smaller, less popular airport. But only do this if you have the luxury of time because these airports are usually not ideally located so you may incur an extra expense in the transit toward your actual destination
Use budget carriers
There are a growing number of budget carriers that ply the same routes as the major ones. These smaller carriers will usually offer cheaper fares, and even have promos that offer additional discounts.
Make advance bookings
If you book your flight way in advance (usually a minimum of 21 days before your flight) you’ll get a lower rate. You should also choose a midweek flight since the rates during these days are lower compared to weekend schedules.
