Used to be the word “hack” had a negative connotation. Not anymore. Today, hack is a consumer-friendly word to save money, time, and stress, especially in planning a much anticipated trip or vacation.
Travel booking site Expedia released its 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report with insider tips to the best airline fares, often a budget buster, to your summer destination. The big takeaway from the Expedia report is the day of the week to book flights. Sunday is NOT the day to rest, according to Expedia:
“Book on a Sunday to save up to 15% on average Travelers who book on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save, on average, around 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. While the best day of the week to book has been Sunday for the past four years, travelers saved 5% more on average in 2022 compared to 2021. Book at least a month before domestic flights to save 10% on average. The sweet spot for snagging the best price on domestic flights falls between 28 – 35 days before departure – so about a month in advance of travel. Travelers that booked during that period saved 10% on average compared to those who waited until the last minute (0 – 2 weeks out). Book 6 months before international flights to save 10% on average Travelers that book around six months in advance of international travel saved 10% on average compared to those who waited until two months out or less to book.”
The Expedia report also has advice on how to deal with flight disruptions and getting the best deals on hotels and rental cars.
My new hobby is playing with Google Flights to score great deals. For instance, I got an incredible fare to New York to see the city all decked-out for the upcoming Christmas season. The deal: Roundtrip, non-stop on Delta for two passengers from Tampa International Airport to JFK for a total of $315! Not each passenger. That’s the total for both. I hit the sweet spot booking the week after Thanksgiving when air travel is in a lull before Christmas.
Google Flights is easy to navigate. Just select the date and destination of travel and check the email box for alerts from Google when fares go up and down. Of course, you want the down as much as possible. Again, the key here is book early. I booked the New York flight in January for next December. Google Flights also offers other useful features, such as a flexible dates option that allows users to search for flights within a range of dates to find the cheapest fares. It also shows users the cost of adding extra amenities like checked bags and in-flight meals.
Here are some other tips to hack your way to better travel deals:
- Booking your flights and hotels during off-peak seasons: Prices for airfare and hotel rooms tend to be lower during off-peak seasons, which can help you save money.
- Using travel rewards credit cards: Many credit cards offer travel rewards, such as points or miles, for every dollar spent. These rewards can be used to offset the cost of flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
- Being flexible with your travel dates: Being flexible with your travel dates can help you find better deals on flights and hotels.
- Using private browsing mode when searching for flights and hotels: Airlines and hotels may track your browsing history and increase prices based on your search activity. Using private browsing mode can help you avoid this.
Keep in mind that there are many other travel hacks out there, so it’s always a good idea to do your research and find the ones that work best for you.
