Airfare Myths
Myths Or Real Deal
Looking for cheap flights can be a tedious and aggravating process. And, as you might expect, the web is awash with tips from so-called "experts" on when to search for deals and how far in advance to buy your ticket.
Unfortunately, many of these tips and tricks are either incorrect or out of date. And if you blindly adhere to them, you may miss out on better deals and end up paying more than you should.
There is no set of rules that remains in place for very long in the airline industry because of the constant innovation that goes into selling seats to paying customers. Some common misconceptions are debunked below, along with the facts.
Myth 1 : Tuesday Is the Best Day To Book Airfares
There was a time when it was accurate, to say that Tuesdays offered the best deals on airline tickets.
This was due to the fact that, airlines would typically put fare reservations online on Mondays, which meant that cheaper fares would be available the following day.
However, this is no longer the case because airlines regularly, and sometimes even daily, update their flight schedules.
According to William J. McGee, an aviation adviser for Consumer Reports, today's airlines are "very sophisticated," with the ability to change their fares around the clock.
Instead, keeping an eye out for flash sales, is the better way to find deals on plane tickets.
For instance, sales may become available around public holidays and half terms, making those times the ideal times to make reservations.
Platforms such as Google Flights give users the ability to monitor a specific route and date, and receive email notifications whenever the price of that route changes in either direction.
Myth 2 : A Round-Trip Airline Ticket Is A Better Deal, Than Two One-Way Fares
When planning a vacation for the whole family, it is almost always more convenient to purchase round-trip airline tickets, all at once.
Having said that, there is no guarantee that this will be the least expensive option.
Rather than doing that, you could save money by purchasing two one-way tickets to and from the destination.
There are a number of possible explanations for this, one of which is flying with two different airlines.
Even when accounting for the cost of travel within the country, it is possible that changing the city that you are flying to and from will result in a savings.
According to Kayak, customers who book two one-way tickets end up "usually paying less than they would" if they had booked a regular round-trip flight instead. In addition, the data suggest that the use of this strategy is becoming more widespread.
Myth 3 : A Connecting Flight, Will Always Be Cheaper Than Flying Nonstop
Everyone would rather fly nonstop if they could, because it would get them to their destination more quickly.
However, there is no guarantee that connecting flights will result in significant cost savings.
Henry Harteveldt, an analyst for the travel industry at Atmosphere Research, expressed his regret that it is often difficult to know when or why something like this occurs.
He explained that airlines have "complicated" systems, so the only way to discover this is by pure chance.
Myth 4 : It’s Always Better To Book As Far In Advance As Possible
Even though it may be tempting to book flights months in advance, in order to "lock in" a good holiday deal, it does not necessarily mean that doing so, will result in the lowest possible price.
According to the website FareCompare, approximately three months before a trip is the best time to look for a good deal on a flight because this is the time when airlines assess their inventory and profits.
If you want to make reservations in advance, you will probably have to pay a price somewhere in the middle, which is typically higher than the price you'd pay if you waited.
Myth 5 : Low-Fare Airlines, Will Always Beat The Major Airlines On Price
It is possible to be tempted to book the least expensive flights that are currently available, even if they are with a low-cost airline.
This does not necessarily mean that you are getting the best deal. Because the cost of a low-cost flight could end up being comparable to that of a more established airline, if you include things like meals, seat reservations, and luggage, it is important to do a cost comparison before booking.
Truth Or False
It is better to double check the information at all times, regardless of whether it is a myth or a deal. Because both the airline industry and technology are constantly evolving and advancing.
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https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/flight-booking-myths
https://www.consumerreports.org/airline-travel/airfare-myths-that-could-cost-you-money
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stop-falling-for-these-4-traps-when-booking-flights-2019-03-12