What Are Some of The General Tricks to Getting Cheap Flights?

DeepDreamer on 16/10/2017 - 16:24
Last edited 16/10/2017 - 16:33 by 1 other user

We are planning travel to the UK for two adults and four kids, in July next year. What are some tricks for securing good prices on flights there and back?

For example, should I:

  • subscribe to mailing lists?
  • check IWTF / WebJet daily?
  • go through a travel agent?
  • always check on the third Wednesday of every month, because that's when the deals come out?
  • is there a time of year when airlines offer better discounts?

I found that Qatar Airways is starting flights from Canberra (our departure point) in Feb, and when I put in approximate dates, I found they were maybe 20% cheaper than a quick search on IWTF. (c. $5600-5700 total vs $6500-7000). Is that good enough to just pull the trigger? Qatar Airways, I note, was voted the top airline in some world survey or award.

I guess I'd ask similarly about car hire in the UK. Should I book here, or just arrange it there?

I tried to find any similar advice in the forum already but nothing came up.

Thanks!

Travel

Comments

  • MathNerd on 16/10/2017 - 16:29
    +2

    Are your departure and arrival dates in the school holiday periods? The airlines are smart and load in the dates of the school holidays into their system as these are known up to 3 years in the future. They must mark these dates as a "no-go" zone for sales!

    That's why as a teacher I never really get excited by the sales because I know for a fact that the travel dates for these sales are always during term, so the only "trick" I use is to book in advance (10-12 months in advance), when there's no seats booked (or very few, usually less than 5 per flight), so supply and demand should dictate cheaper prices, which I've found to be true. It does help though that I know my dates so far in advance so I can do a booking as soon as the flights are available. However I found that they start off quite expensive and then slowly move down. Very strange I know.

    For example I flew to India from Melbourne last year departing on December 24 2016 returning January 28 2017, booked the tickets in January 2016 via Etihad for ~$1030. Typical prices for India in that Christmas/New Year period is $1600-$2000 (and even higher), so I did get a steal.

    I feel your pain mate.

  • DeepDreamer on 16/10/2017 - 16:41

    Yeah, I'm married to a teacher so the best we can do is try and squeeze into the shoulder dates. The dates will be pretty much fixed, so I'm just looking for the tricks that will get those best prices

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2017 - 16:49
    +1

    Agents - shop around for a few specialists in the area that you want to travel.

    Personal experience - If you're looking at South Asia - just call frequently and often and they will find you reasonable fares (based on the dates you provide). I've found that agents will often buy tickets in bulk and sell just above their internal costs - you can play these agents against each other and they will often beat each other's fares.

  • agam2104 on 16/10/2017 - 17:19
    +1

    It's good you planning ahead. As of my experience, I don't prefer to go travel agent.Many of they don't offer any good packages.Also, I found out that packages they give don't have good hotels if I book my self I can get a more good hotel
    I can tell what I follow for flight as you want to go July keep checking this website or subscribe http://www.secretflying.com/oceania-deals/ .Most probably you will find your deal within a month.Lastly, many people use reward point which I don't understand right now.

    For hotels mostly you have to rely on hotel booking website .Just short out some good hotels from TripAdvisor and keep checking their rate and book it when you feel it is lowest you can get.Several websites offer price guarantee also if price drop they will pay difference like Expedia.Hope it bits of help

  • CyberMurning on 16/10/2017 - 17:25
    +1

    Q: "What Are Some of The General Tricks to Getting Cheap Flights?"
    A: hide in the suitcase

    • DeepDreamer on 16/10/2017 - 17:27
      +4

      "Kids, you've got 12 months to get down to 23kg. I ain't payin' for excess luggage. 22kg if you want to take water in with you"

      • CyberMurning on 16/10/2017 - 17:30

        good idea to fight obesity.

  • bluesky on 16/10/2017 - 17:33
    +2

    It is worth subscribing to OZBargain alerts using keywords that will pick up the travel destination you want. So whenever related deals come around, you can check them for suitability.

    BTW, during the Sat just passed (14/10), Qantas sent out an email about London Sale, although to me Qantas prices are still high despite being on sale. Nevertheless, has a look in case it suits you.

  • altomic on 16/10/2017 - 17:57
    +3

    Those QATAR airfares are pretty decent. hope that groupon extend this deal to get further discount.

    if you're serious about saving cash then -

    fly from sydney.

    start watching special deals - e.g. like this recent IWTF deal to Paris from sydney for $844 (then get euro star to london)

    car rental - sort it here. I booked using www.holidayautos.com. also www.arguscarhire.com is pretty decent. they are both car aggregate sites.

    check out AirBnB. london is expensive for hotels for more than 2 adults+ 2kids (went there 4 years ago and was looking for accomodation 2 adults + 3 children). AirBnB is way more "flexible" with occupancy as hotels have to comply with occupancy stantards.

    • DeepDreamer on 16/10/2017 - 18:00

      Thank you, great advice

      • altomic on 16/10/2017 - 18:16
        +2

        just did a search on arguscarhire for a 7 seater minivan for 9 days in november (pick up + drop off @ heathrow) and it gave € 209.82/ AUD $313.95. it then jumped quite drastically for other cars/minivans.

        subscribe to those car websites as they occasionally have discount codes and sales

        pack minimally.

  • hasselbladsnapper on 16/10/2017 - 18:03
    +1

    Momondo website/app is a good place to start. As a tip, IF you have a good agent, look out for online deals and then contact your agent to book or possibly gain a better rate on your intended flights. Also, they can hold the booking for around 7 days, and if things go pear shaped they can often do something with your booking at no cost to yourself!. In addition, we have twice had decent refunds on tours when we were not happy with the tour outcome.
    We have saved hundreds of $ that way with our agent … try doing that direct or online. Agents can be worthwhile but I suggest find a GOOD one and stick with them ….and no, I am not connected with the industry in any way.

  • Donaldhump on 16/10/2017 - 18:49

    leave the 4 kids at home, will make your flights cheaper

  • Stewardo on 16/10/2017 - 19:22
    +3

    Under 6k for six from Canberra, I’d just book it, after I signed the whole family up for Qantas FF membership (free) if they don’t have it already.
    Qatar often has promo codes to save 10% etc if you look around online and book thru website.

    I’d check out
    Premier inns for hotels in Uk, very cheap if bought in advance

    I’d buy car hire excess insurance before I went
    From a company like https://www.carhireexcess.com.au

  • boomramada on 17/10/2017 - 10:01
    +1

    Try SG airline, they have direct flight to SG, then Europe. No need to catch the bus or fly to Sydney.

  • altomic on 18/10/2017 - 08:04

    become an employee of an airline and get staff discounts.

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