But for those of you that have to fly, here's my airline/airport tips and tricks.

​

Know your rights as a passenger.
The airlines are not going to tell you what your rights are because that might cost them money. What are the airlines obligations to you their customer if they cancel your flight or overbook it and bump you?

​

Fly Rights - U.S. Dept. of Transportation

Air Passenger Rights - European Commission

​

Be aware of excessive airline fees and avoid them.

The airlines have gotten so ridiculous about these added surcharges and given their track record lately, I'm waiting for them to charge additional for a safe landing. Or installing automatic window shades on timers and for an added charge, you can look out the airplane window for 30 seconds.
(They don't want you to see the plane losing its right engine mid flight...not good for business!) Don't laugh...these days that happens more than you think!)

​

Know air fares and how they work.

Flight prices can change multiple times a day depending on several factors: airlines change the prices of their flights according to market demand, and they drop prices mostly when demand for a route is low, which often happens in winter (outside the holidays). You can also expect flight prices to drop between 4 months and 3 weeks before the departure date, and early on in the week, such as on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesdays.

Airlines regularly change prices during the week depending on competitor’s prices and other factors, which is done to maximize profits and increase the number of filled seats.

​

When Do Flight Prices Drop?

​

Recent data reveals that average airfare can spike by over 30% during peak holiday weeks. In contrast, off-peak times surrounding these events often present more affordable options.

​There are several travel sites where you can sign up for free email alerts on discounted fares. My favorite one is Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going.com), which sends flash sales and other cheap flight deals directly to your inbox. Another popular site to check out is Dollar Flight Club, which sends out low price fares and allows you to track flight prices.

 

All you have to do is input a preferred home airport and they will send alerts whenever flight deals appear. Scott’s Cheap Flights also offers a premium version for a $49 annual fee, which I used for three years. The features and deals are much better with the premium version, so I recommend signing up for the free trial.
 

10 Easy Ways to Score A Cheap Flight

​

Use Frequent Flyer Programs

Earn rewards with airlines and hotel loyalty programs. You should also check to see which airline alliance they are a part of, as you’ll gain rewards for flying on partner airlines as well. The major players are One World, 
Sky Team, and Star Alliance.

​

Take advantage of stopover programs.
One of my favorite travel hacks that I’ve used time and again is leveraging airline stopover programs. It’s like a two-for-one deal on your flights. Here’s the deal: many airlines offer free stopovers, especially in their hub cities. This means you can explore an additional city at no extra flight cost.

For instance, say you’re flying from the U.S. to Bangkok with a stop in Dubai. With a stopover program, you can extend your layover in Dubai for a few days without any additional cost on your airfare. It’s like getting a mini vacation within your vacation!
 

In addition to that, some airlines even offer complimentary hotels, meals, and experiences if you have a long layover in a destination.

Be flexible with your flight dates and times.

​This tip will likely save you the most money during your travels. Here are some key strategies to consider:
 

Avoid traveling to a destination during its high season. 
Cancun during Spring Break week? Probably not the best idea.
 

Give yourself some wiggle room around your preferred travel dates

​It’s always a good idea to give yourself at least a week buffer before and after your preferred travel dates to find the best flight deals. Skyscanner and other flight aggregators provide flexible search options that help you locate the best deals during a given timeframe. Typically, I begin my research with Google Flights to find the cheapest dates. Then, I pivot to Skyscanner, Hopper, and ultimately the airline website to find the best deal.
 

Fly midweek when possible

​As a rule of thumb, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are much cheaper for flying than Fridays and Sundays. Recently, when I was scanning flights to Colombia, I saw 50-75% cheaper flights midweek compared to weekends.

Catch an early morning or late night flight

​These flights are not always super desirable, but they are a great way to unlock discounted fares. Based on my experience, the cost savings typically outweigh the inconvenience. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you’re in Paris and need to catch an early morning flight from Paris Beauvais Airport, which is conveniently located just 54 miles outside of Paris, you’ll find that public transportation options are limited. When you can’t rely on cheap public transportation to get you to the airport on time, factor taxi prices into your airfare decision.

 

Choose another airport.
Depending on where you’re traveling to, you may find a nearby airport that’s much cheaper than the one in your destination. Instead of flying to Sacramento, go to San Francisco and then make the 1.5 hour drive to California’s capital. Is this one of the best traveling on a budget tips? It sure is!
 

Fly with a budget airline.
This one kind of goes without saying. Whenever you look for cheap flights, you’ll often find that there are a few budget airlines out there (i.e. Spirit, RyanAir, EasyJet) that offer the lowest prices. It’s no accident – as these are considered “no frills” airlines, and you get what you pay for. These budget airlines aren’t very glamorous, but they will certainly save you money traveling to your destination.
 

​One important caveat about flying with budget airlines: beware of the baggage requirements! Usually, only a small carry-on and personal item is included. So, if you plan to bring larger travel bags with you, be sure to look closely at the baggage allowance prices. While the base airfare is typically cheap, prices can increase exponentially if you plan on checking a bag. If you plan on bringing more than one, I would consider a more premium airline, as the overall prices will likely be about the same.
Note: I just read a report that one of the major airlines is now WEIGHING PASSENGERS to charge extra based on their weight!

 

Pack as light as possible.

Want to know the secret sauce for how to travel for cheap? Pack light.

 

Each year, airlines are charging more and more for checked luggage and cabin bags. Basic economy airfare allows you to save money on the base fare, but you’re often required to pay extra for a checked bag and in some cases, even carry-on luggage. Some airlines even make it difficult to find out their baggage requirements for certain routes. In my opinion, the situation is getting out of hand. The only solution, it seems, is to pack as light as possible.

 

Therefore, packing light is a great way to minimize the number of checked bags and carry-ons you’ll bring on flights. Baggage fees add up quickly, especially on budget airlines that charge extra for pretty much everything other than the base fare.

 

Tip: Roll your clothes instead of folding them. You'll fit more in your bag and your clothes will be less wrinkled.

 

Dealing with airport hassles

These are the most common airport hassles you'll deal with:

 

Security Checkpoint: To minimize time spent at the security checkpoint, be prepared and travel light, minimizing obstacles to safe, smooth travel. Make the security checkpoint go by quickly by emptying pockets ahead of time, removing laptop from bags, and removing shoes and belts to not only make it faster for you, but for those behind you. Also make sure that all liquids are in the appropriately sized containers before heading to the airport.  Remember to always be kind and respectful to others because everyone has a flight to catch too- not just you.

 

TSA Hold Up: While TSA screenings are an important safety measure, the long lines and extra time spent during bag searches and pat-downs can be a hassle. Remember that being compliant will get you on the plane faster. Answer any questions the officer may have and be willing to have your bags searched.

Overbooked Airplanes: Airlines often compensate passengers who volunteer to give up their seat by paying for all expenses such as hotel and meals, in addition to giving them a flight voucher. If you are in absolutely no rush to get to your destination, it may be something to consider. However, if you’re one of the ones chosen to give up your seat, but you have to be on that flight for other commitments, explain your situation and politely refuse, all while maintaining an amicable tone. Any reluctance to do so could cause suspicion and may take more of your time.

 

Overweight Baggage: If a crew member at the check-in desk tells you that your bag is overweight and you have to pay an extra fee, kindly ask if you can step aside to take some of your belongings out and place them in another bag or suitcase. Once they give you the okay, look behind you and signal to the next person in line that they can go. This proper airline etiquette will ensure you’re being conscious of others’ time.

 

Passenger Clash: If you have a small disagreement with another passenger, first try to resolve it among yourselves. If the problem escalates or continues, ask the flight attendant for assistance. In matters such as putting your tray up and down, turning off you phone or any other flight procedure, you should not question the crew. However, if there is a customer service concern, you can politely speak to the head staff.

 

Crying Children: Crying infants should be tolerated; the mother wants them to stop crying way more than you do. Refrain from giving the parents long glares- they know their child is being loud and your stare won’t stop it. In the case of older children, try blocking them out with headphones or earmuffs before talking to the parents if the problem persists.

 

Uncomfortable Arrangements: You have a right to be comfortable, and issues such as seat-kicking, inconsiderate neighbors, and loud media should be addressed by a flight attendant. The staff is trained on how to deal with these problems in the most inoffensive way possible. Tell a member of the crew about your problem and they will take care of it.​