Expert Tips for Finding Cheap Flights in Australia
Travelling within Australia can be expensive, especially when it comes to airfares. However, with the right strategies and a bit of planning, you can significantly reduce the cost of your flights. This guide provides practical advice and insider tips to help you find cheap flights and make your travel budget go further.
1. Best Time to Book Flights for Optimal Savings
One of the most crucial factors in securing cheap flights is knowing when to book. While there's no magic formula, understanding booking patterns can give you a significant advantage.
Understanding Booking Windows
The Sweet Spot: Generally, the best time to book domestic flights in Australia is between 2 to 4 months in advance. This allows you to capture early bird deals without being too close to the departure date when prices tend to rise.
Last-Minute Bookings: Avoid last-minute bookings unless you're incredibly flexible and willing to take a gamble. Airlines often increase prices as the departure date approaches, especially for popular routes.
Booking Too Early: Booking too far in advance (e.g., more than 6 months) isn't always beneficial. Airlines may not have fully adjusted their pricing algorithms yet, and you might miss out on potential sales closer to the departure date.
Days of the Week and Time of Day
Mid-Week Flights: Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are often cheaper than those on Fridays, Sundays, or Mondays due to lower demand.
Time of Day: Consider flying during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late-night flights. These flights are typically less popular and therefore cheaper.
Avoiding Peak Seasons
School Holidays: Prices skyrocket during school holidays. If possible, avoid travelling during these periods or book well in advance.
Public Holidays: Similar to school holidays, public holidays see a surge in demand and prices. Be mindful of long weekends and national holidays.
Major Events: Cities hosting major events (e.g., sporting events, festivals) will experience increased flight prices. Plan accordingly or consider visiting at a different time.
2. Using Flight Comparison Websites Effectively
Flight comparison websites are powerful tools for finding the best deals. However, it's essential to use them strategically to maximise your savings.
Popular Flight Comparison Websites
Airfares: A great place to start your search for cheap flights in Australia.
Skyscanner: A comprehensive platform that compares flights from numerous airlines and travel agencies.
Google Flights: Offers a user-friendly interface and allows you to track prices and explore destinations on a map.
Kayak: Provides price alerts and explores multiple booking options.
Webjet: An Australian-based platform with a wide selection of domestic and international flights.
Tips for Effective Use
Compare Multiple Websites: Don't rely on just one website. Prices can vary significantly between platforms, so it's worth checking several to find the best deal.
Use Price Alerts: Set up price alerts to receive notifications when prices drop for your desired route. This allows you to jump on deals as soon as they become available.
Explore Different Search Options: Experiment with different search options, such as multi-city flights or nearby airports, to uncover hidden savings.
Check Airline Websites Directly: Sometimes, airlines offer exclusive deals on their own websites that aren't available through comparison platforms. Always double-check the airline's website before booking.
Be Aware of Hidden Fees: Some websites may not include all fees and taxes in their initial price quotes. Always read the fine print and factor in any additional costs before making a booking. When choosing a provider, consider what Airfares offers and how it aligns with your needs.
3. Being Flexible with Travel Dates and Destinations
Flexibility is your greatest asset when searching for cheap flights. The more flexible you are with your dates and destinations, the more likely you are to find a great deal.
Flexible Dates
Use Calendar View: Most flight comparison websites offer a calendar view that shows prices for different dates. Use this feature to identify the cheapest days to fly.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons: As mentioned earlier, avoiding peak seasons can significantly reduce your flight costs. Consider travelling during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) for milder weather and lower prices.
Be Open to Different Days of the Week: If you're not tied to specific dates, try searching for flights on different days of the week to see if you can find a better deal.
Flexible Destinations
Consider Alternative Airports: Flying into or out of smaller, less popular airports can often save you money. Research nearby airports and compare prices to see if it's worth the extra travel time.
Explore Different Destinations: If you're open to exploring different destinations, use flight comparison websites to search for the cheapest flights to various locations. You might discover a hidden gem that you hadn't considered before.
Hidden City Ticketing
Hidden city ticketing is a controversial but sometimes effective strategy. It involves booking a flight with a layover in your desired destination and then disembarking at the layover city instead of continuing to the final destination. For example, if you want to fly from Sydney to Melbourne, you might book a flight from Sydney to Adelaide with a layover in Melbourne and then simply get off the plane in Melbourne. While this can save you money, it's important to be aware of the risks:
Baggage Restrictions: You can't check luggage with hidden city ticketing, as your luggage will be tagged to the final destination.
Airline Policies: Airlines frown upon this practice and may penalise you if they discover you're using it. This could include cancelling your return flight or even banning you from flying with them in the future.
Ethical Considerations: Some people view hidden city ticketing as unethical, as it exploits loopholes in airline pricing systems.
4. Leveraging Airline Loyalty Programs and Rewards
Airline loyalty programs can be a valuable tool for frequent flyers. By accumulating points or miles, you can redeem them for free flights, upgrades, and other perks.
Joining Loyalty Programs
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Qantas's loyalty program offers a wide range of benefits, including free flights, upgrades, and access to airport lounges.
Virgin Australia Velocity: Virgin Australia's loyalty program provides similar benefits to Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Earning Points and Miles
Flying: The most obvious way to earn points is by flying with the airline or its partner airlines.
Credit Cards: Many credit cards offer points or miles for every dollar you spend. Look for cards that partner with your preferred airline loyalty program.
Partner Programs: Airlines often partner with other businesses, such as hotels, car rental companies, and retailers. You can earn points or miles by using these partner services.
Redeeming Points and Miles
Free Flights: The most common way to redeem points or miles is for free flights. Be aware that award flights may have limited availability, especially during peak seasons.
Upgrades: You can also use points or miles to upgrade to a higher class of service, such as business class or first class.
Other Perks: Some loyalty programs offer other perks, such as access to airport lounges, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowance.
5. Considering Alternative Airports and Routes
Sometimes, the key to finding cheap flights lies in thinking outside the box and exploring alternative options.
Nearby Airports
Major Cities with Multiple Airports: Cities like Sydney and Melbourne have multiple airports. Consider flying into a less popular airport, even if it's slightly further from your final destination. The savings can be worth the extra travel time.
Regional Airports: If you're travelling to a regional area, check if there are smaller airports nearby. These airports may offer cheaper flights, especially if they're served by budget airlines.
Indirect Routes
Flights with Layovers: Direct flights are usually more expensive than flights with layovers. If you're not in a hurry, consider booking a flight with a layover to save money. You might even be able to turn the layover into a mini-vacation by exploring the layover city.
Connecting Flights: Sometimes, booking two separate flights with different airlines can be cheaper than booking a single connecting flight. However, be aware that this approach carries more risk, as you're responsible for transferring your luggage and ensuring you have enough time to make your connecting flight. See frequently asked questions for more information.
By implementing these expert tips, you can significantly increase your chances of finding cheap flights in Australia and make your travel dreams a reality. Remember to be patient, persistent, and flexible, and you'll be well on your way to securing the best deals. You can learn more about Airfares and how we can help you find affordable flights.