Expert’s guide to saving money on flights including using different airports | Personal Finance | Finance

Holidaymakers could significantly reduce their travel expenses with some savvy tips from an airline expert on securing flight bookings.

As the summer holiday season is in full swing, many Brits have already secured their flights for their much-anticipated breaks, while others are still hunting for those elusive last-minute deals.

However, for a significant number of travellers, the cost of reaching their holiday destination can often eclipse the rest of their vacation expenses.

But fear not, one airline guru has shared some insider knowledge on how to trim down those hefty travel costs.

Andras Rado, Head of Communications at Wizz Air, has revealed six essential tips that holidaymakers can utilise to secure the cheapest flights and keep costs low before they even set foot on their getaway.

Opting for different airports.

Most flyers will instinctively choose to return to the same airport they flew out from for their holiday. However, Andras advises: “Being flexible about where you land can also help get a good deal when it comes to flights. Many major cities have multiple airports, with smaller, regional ones typically located slightly further from the city but offering more affordable options.”

“For instance, London is renowned for Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, but London Luton also boasts excellent transport links to the city centre and often provides cheaper flights.”

Booking directly.

Booking directly with the airline can often be the “cheapest places” to find flights, according to Andras. While comparison sites can be helpful, he pointed out that third-party booking sites “can cost up to £50 more” due to commission fees.

Book in advance

Andras also dispelled the “common myth” that last-minute flights are cheaper, stating that prices tend to rise as the departure date approaches. He advised: “The best time to book for the lowest prices is typically up to 8 weeks in advance.”

Timing

Flying during off-peak hours and days can also lead to savings, said Andras. He noted: “Night flights are often cheaper than day flights, and flying mid-week instead of on Fridays can also save you money. By avoiding peak days, you could save up to £100.”

Even though we’re currently in the middle of peak season, using one of Andras’ tips to book ahead could help travellers secure a deal on off-season flights now for autumn getaways.

Airline newsletters

While constant email newsletters can be annoying, Andras encouraged frequent flyers to sign up for their favourite airlines’ newsletters. These often highlight discounts, deals and “offers the opportunity to obtain discount codes[“.

Booking separate tickets

Lastly, Andras suggested that booking outbound and inbound flights separately might sometimes be the most cost-efficient option, contrary to what most people usually do.

He revealed a savvy tip for thrifty globetrotters, saying: “Making two separate bookings instead of one return trip can save a traveller some money. Of course, this may not be the case 100% of the time, so it’s worth searching for one return and two bookings across two search tabs when looking for the best deals.”