By Rick Seaney | Contributor
Whenever you plan to travel during peak times—such as Spring Break—the cost of airfare tends to be high. This insight comes from both my website’s airfare analysis and my own experiences. For instance, in January, I checked fares for a Spring Break escape from Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale for the week of March 15-22 (from Sunday to Sunday), and the most affordable nonstop ticket I uncovered was priced at $250. Out of curiosity, I adjusted the travel dates to March 22-29, and the price fell by $50.
The takeaway is clear: Airlines are fully aware of travel demand and adjust prices accordingly.
However, there are effective strategies to lower your airfare, sometimes significantly. A lot depends on how flexible you are with your travel plans, whether it’s for Spring Break or any major holiday. Note that all prices mentioned here were sourced in January and may vary by the time you book; still, they demonstrate possible savings. Here are five tips to consider:
1. Purchase tickets individually
If you’re responsible for booking flights for a group, keep in mind that ticket prices—even in economy class—can fluctuate. It’s advisable to book tickets one at a time. When you’re ready to purchase, select one traveler in the “number of travelers” box. This is due to a quirk in how airline reservation systems operate,
which means if you buy multiple tickets at once, they all must be sold at the same price. For example, if you need two tickets and the airline has one available for $100 on a sale while the rest are priced at $200, you would pay $200 for each, totaling $400. In contrast, buying them individually would allow you to grab the $100 ticket and only pay $300 overall. While this strategy may not always guarantee savings, it’s worth trying.
2. Opt for less busy travel days
Generally, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are among the most economical days to fly for domestic routes. I verified this with the Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale route and discovered that traveling on Tuesday, March 17, and returning on Saturday, March 21 would save $60 compared to the Sunday-to-Sunday schedule.
3. Choose off-peak flight times
You’re likely aware that flights during unfavorable hours—such as early morning, late evening, or overnight—are usually cheaper. While not the most enjoyable times to fly, the savings may just enable you to enjoy a stunning beach vacation instead of staying home.
4. Check alternative airports
When searching for flights, don’t restrict your query to just one or two airports; consider other nearby airports as well. Larger airports tend to have lower fares, so while Los Angeles International (LAX) is typically more affordable, sometimes airports like Burbank or Orange County offer better deals. If you’re traveling to southern Florida, it’s worth checking fares to both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, which are only about 25 miles apart.
5. Consider connecting flights
Choosing an itinerary that involves one or more stops instead of a nonstop flight can sometimes yield substantial savings. For example, I recently noticed a connecting fare from Dallas to London that was approximately $150 cheaper than a nonstop option. For a family of four, that equates to nearly $600 in savings. The decision ultimately lies with you regarding whether the wait at the airport is worthwhile.
Lastly, a crucial piece of advice: act quickly. Last-minute discounts, especially around holidays, have become rare, so secure your tickets as soon as possible. Always compare fares from different airlines, as no single carrier consistently offers the best prices. Safe travels!
