How to save money on airline tickets as airline prices increase

For budget-conscious travelers, it’s become increasingly difficult to escape the skyrocketing airfare prices of recent weeks.

Airlines are responding to the fallout from the Iran war by raising baggage fees, adding fuel surcharges and cutting flight schedules.

The average fare for a round-trip economy ticket rose from $774 on February 23, before the war began, to $998 as of March 30, according to data from travel search engine Kayak. The average domestic fare increased from $336 to $350.

Travel experts say airlines have increased prices for consumers primarily to offset the rising cost of jet fuel, one of their biggest costs.

Ahead of the two-week ceasefire announced late Tuesday, Iran had effectively cut off traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway used to transport about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies.

Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the Iran war began, from $2.50 a gallon on Feb. 27 to $4.81 a gallon on Tuesday, according to Argus Media’s Jet Fuel Price Index.

Deutsche Bank analysts said in a report Tuesday that if jet fuel prices rose for a year at about $2 a gallon higher than before the war, airfares would have to rise by about $50 per one-way fare, or about 17%.

“The most notable response to rising jet fuel prices has been freight rate increases (and fuel surcharges in international markets),” they write.

US carriers, etc. delta airlines, jet blue airlines, southwest airlines and united airlines We have recently increased our baggage inspection fees.

Some airlines have announced that they will cut back on flights that have become temporarily unprofitable due to soaring fuel prices. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the airline will reduce its off-peak flight schedule in the second and third quarters of this year, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

While there are still flights available that day, the reduced schedule means those fewer seats are likely to be even more in demand and likely to be more expensive, experts say.

“It’s going to have a big impact on price-sensitive travelers,” said Katie Nastro, a travel expert at travel trading site Going, as flying during off-peak hours, such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is typically a surefire way to get cheaper tickets.

Oil prices fell after Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement, but analysts said airfares and ancillary charges were unlikely to normalize quickly, even if the ceasefire lasted. Higher fees could be particularly onerous, especially if travel demand does not reduce, they said.

If so, don’t worry. For budget-conscious travelers, there may still be ways to find affordable flights, experts say.

“The strategy hasn’t completely disappeared yet,” Nastro said. “Travelers still have some options.”

Fixed at a great price

According to Google Flights, for domestic flights, the lowest prices tend to be between 23 and 51 days before departure. For international flights, this is usually at least 49 days before departure.

Airfares tend to rise steadily beyond these tipping points as the flight date approaches.

But airfares are often volatile, especially recently, Nastro said. Given the situation, travelers are unlikely to score last-minute deals, she said.

Nastro said travelers who find a price that fits their budget would be wise to jump on it.

“The only thing that is predictable is securing affordable flights today,” she said.

Consider a one-way ticket instead of a round-trip ticket

“Many people think it’s cheaper to buy round-trip tickets in bulk, but sometimes you can find the cheapest flight by buying two one-way tickets,” Lourdes Lozada, director of the Americas at travel search engine Skyscanner, said in an email.

For example, a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Las Vegas can cost $50. But a one-way ticket to Las Vegas and a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles each cost $20, a 20% savings, Lozada said.

Flexibility can be a “superpower”

Flexibility is often a traveler’s best friend, experts say.

That flexibility generally means being strategic about when and where you fly, and that can take many forms, they said.

Days and dates of travel: Despite some airlines’ reduced flight schedules, flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are likely to remain affordable for travelers, Nastro said. Sundays tend to be the most expensive days, she said. Similarly, try to avoid peak travel times of the year and look for opportunities to travel during the shoulder or off-peak seasons. People looking to travel in the summer should generally avoid July and instead choose early to mid-June or late August, when the crowds tend to be less crowded, Nastro said. Alternative destinations: Having the flexibility to choose your travel destination is the “key” to finding the best deal, Lozada said. “You can take advantage of discounts and explore places you might not have considered otherwise,” she said. For example, travelers can visit Lyon or Marseille instead of Paris and experience French culture at an affordable price. Or Eindhoven or Rotterdam in the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam. Lozada said he sometimes goes to Fukuoka or Sapporo in Japan instead of Tokyo. Airlines: Travelers can find better tickets by being flexible with airlines rather than pledging loyalty to them, Nastro said. “For budget travelers, not being tied down to an airline can be your superpower,” she says.

Experts say it’s best to use search engines that allow you to compare prices on different days and for different destinations.

Consider connecting

Experts said adding a layover instead of flying direct to your destination is a surefire way to save money. Doing so saves passengers about 22% on average, according to Google Flights data.

Of course, travelers must weigh the risks against the opportunity costs.

Already this year, the Iran war, cartel violence in Mexico and U.S. military operations in Venezuela have caused major travel disruptions, causing thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

Experts say the disruption could derail an entire itinerary if travelers have a connecting flight.

One type of economy fare might be better

Booking “main economy” instead of “basic economy,” which is generally cheaper, is perhaps counterintuitive, but Nastro said it will save you money in the long run.

However, it’s a bit of a gamble.

Nastro said travelers with primary economy fares will have the ability to change their tickets if the price drops after they purchase the ticket. In this case, the airline typically offers a credit for the difference, allowing the traveler to get a lower ticket price, and the traveler can use the ticket within a year of issuance, she said.

For example, if a $250 ticket later drops in price by $50, travelers can call and have the price changed to $200 and use that $50 toward a future ticket, she said.

“That means you get your ‘cash’ back, even if it can only be redeemed through the airline,” she wrote in an email. “There is no limit to the number of times you can do this… If the price goes down again, you can still take advantage of it, but the airlines are not disclosing this.”

You may find great deals elsewhere

Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet, said many airlines are “hamstrung by fuel prices” and feel the need to raise prices, but could offer deals on other important aspects of travel itineraries, such as tours and hotels, that tap into consumer demand.

“We’re seeing more and more crazy sales targeting U.S. travelers,” French said. “This summer we are seeing some of the best sales since COVID-19.”

For example, she pointed to recent offers in Las Vegas, a city notorious for “nickel-and-dime” tourists, according to her. MGM Resorts International will charge $330 plus tax for a two-night all-inclusive stay at either the Luxor Hotel & Casino or the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. French said acquisitions can typically cost more than $900.

“I think it’s Las Vegas saying, ‘Yes, we need to bring people in,'” French said.