If you’ve been looking at airfare recently, you know prices fluctuate greatly. The fare you see in the morning could more than double by that evening. According to an article by the Seattle Times, airlines are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict how much travelers are willing to pay for a ticket. They’re also gathering information from your airfare search (such as your browser and geographical location), often showing you only the most expensive airfare.
Fortunately, travel expert and consumer advocate Christopher Elliott shared a few proven strategies you can use to outsmart them:
Be Flexible – For example, if you’re flying to Europe, consider booking your transatlantic flight on a legacy carrier and then switching to a European discount carrier, such as Ryanair or EasyJet, within Europe.
Track Prices – Utilize the price alert feature on various search engines and apps. This will notify you when fares drop or there are special deals offered. However, if you find a fare you think is fair be sure to grab it before it’s gone.
Try Reverse Planning – Consider focusing on the fare, not the destination. To plan your trip in reverse, you build your trip around the cheapest flights available from your departure airport. Once you find a deal you like then figure out what to do and where to stay in your chosen destination.
Do you have any tips and tricks you use to help save money when planning travel? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your tried and true recommendations.
