Booking cheap flights online has become a competitive sport among price-conscious travelers. With an abundance of websites advertising low prices and airlines providing attractive deals from various corners of the internet, it can be challenging to determine the best and most economical ways to secure budget fares.
Information about the best times, methods, and locations to find deals has circulated widely online, but many of these common ideas have been disproven over time. Fortunately, valuable advice for purchasing your own tickets still exists. Here are six travel myths to consider before you make a purchase, as the travel industry can be unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend comparing airfares before finalizing your decision.
Myth: Searches are tracked by cookies
Many people believe that airlines will raise prices for a specific route if you search frequently on the same browser or computer. However, consumer advocacy groups have found no evidence to support that prices are individually targeted through cookies.
Truth: Use platforms like Skyscanner and Google Flights to track and compare prices from a variety of online travel agencies (OTAs).
Myth: The best time to book a flight is Tuesday
This myth originated from the old practice of airlines uploading their fares into reservation systems in bulk on Mondays. However, today airline reservation systems are much more erratic. According to CheapAir.com’s 2019 Annual Airfare study, “The average low fare only varies by $1 based on the purchase day of the week.”
Truth: Instead of focusing solely on the day you book your ticket, pay attention to the day you plan to fly. Tuesday typically offers the lowest fares, while Sunday tends to see the highest prices. Moreover, flying midweek usually results in better deals.
Myth: Saturday night stopovers are required for lower fares
In previous years, airlines implemented a Saturday stopover rule for their cheapest fares to discourage business travelers from flying back home too quickly. However, this practice is less common now. Furthermore, the rise of low-cost airlines like Southwest and Spirit has diminished the influence of business travelers on pricing.
Myth: Booking round-trip tickets is cheaper than one-way
It may seem logical that buying a round-trip ticket is always more economical than a one-way fare. While this was once true, the rise in price competition means that booking one-way tickets can sometimes be less expensive than round-trip tickets for the same route.
Truth: Conduct thorough research and compare both one-way and round-trip ticket options before you book.
Myth: Always try to book as far in advance as possible
While it is true that you can find flights on many airlines between eight and eleven months before your intended travel date, booking too far in advance does not always guarantee the cheapest fares. Therefore, it may be counterproductive to lock in your fare prematurely.
Truth: According to a recent study by QTrip, you could spend around $50 more for the security of early booking. The ideal “Prime Booking Window” is typically four months to just three weeks before your departure, although options may be limited in terms of seats, flight times, and classes of service.
Myth: Booking multiple passengers on the same transaction is cheaper
Airline systems facilitate group bookings, leading many to think they are receiving the best overall price. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Due to a quirk in airline reservation systems, all tickets booked in one transaction must be offered at the same price. Consequently, if there aren’t enough tickets available at the lowest price, the fare for all will be raised to the next tier.
Truth: To potentially avoid additional costs, check the price for a single ticket before proceeding with a group booking. If the fare is lower, consider booking each seat separately until the price reaches the higher fare. However, do note that this approach may not be ideal for families or couples wanting to sit together.
Myth: Hidden-city ticketing is a surefire way to save money
This clever tactic, once utilized by savvy travelers seeking substantial discounts, has gained traction among the broader public. This approach enables travelers to book multi-city tickets, which may cost significantly less, while skipping the final leg of the trip. For instance, a flight from Chicago to New York might be cheaper if it connects through Bangor, Maine, allowing you to disembark in New York instead of continuing to Bangor. Apps like Skiplagged are designed to facilitate this strategy.
Truth: Although this method appears prudent, airlines suffer revenue losses from unfilled purchased seats, and most major carriers have clauses in their contracts prohibiting this type of travel. If you are caught, airlines can legally cancel your flight or take other punitive actions, including threats against your frequent flyer status. It is advisable to weigh the risks before attempting this strategy.
