Dirty Airfare Secrets

Holidays are the most frequently traveled times of the year.   Not a big surprise.

Supply and demand certainly apply to the airline industry.  Since the demand for travel is incredibly high during this time of year, you can expect that fare prices will skyrocket.  An airfare bargain hunter will patiently wait until the major holidays have come to pass.  That’ll be the time when airlines begin to drastically lower their fares.  Avoid flying before any major holiday.  You’ll notice steep discounts on airfare rates once the holidays are over.  That’s the perfect moment to jump in on a great flight deal.

Weekends are often the most convenient times for people to travel.  Luckily, staying over a weekend in your trip can also save you a bunch off of your fare.  Airlines do charge higher fare rates for customers who fly for business purposes.  They try to determine which of their customers are business flyers by looking at a number of factors.  One of such factors is the habit of weekend stays.

Most customers who travel to conduct business will usually not stay over for a weekend.  Mondays are a favorite among business travelers.  Customers who travel for their own personal purposes have a habit of staying over for a weekend Saturday and Sunday night.

In order to avoid paying higher fare rates, you’ll need to get the airlines to classify you as a non-business traveler.  This can be accomplished by staying over for a weekend during your flight.  Avoid booking on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly.

Airfare prices can sometimes be like the stock market.  Often, fares will be lower when booked in advance, and gradually climb higher as the time reaches closer toward the departure date.  However, a variety of factors can sometimes shrink airplane ticket rates over time.

It’s a good idea to frequently check back and see if the same airfare has been reduced since the day you purchased.  If you realize that the cost of your fare has decreased from the amount you paid, don’t hesitate to contact the airline to request a refund of the difference in the ticket.  This is also a good reason for you to book your flight long in advance and lock in a good rate.  You can then remain confident that if any price reduction occurs, a refund of the difference is only one phone call away!