Ways to Book Cheap Air Tickets

Most often than not, people share and gets excited when they see Low Cost Carriers advertisement.

– Figure out the routes/ destinations 

Always have a list of travel destinations that you would want to visit. Airlines at time only offer to selected destinations on cheap airfare deals. Usually, these destinations may be facing higher capacity than demand, what airline terms as overcapacity. To solve this issue, they roll out dirt cheap fares to entice the public and raise awareness of the destination.

– Make your travel dates flexible 

You need to ensure that you do not arrange your travel during super peak period. Remember to have back up alternative dates. Avoid making use of long public holidays for your trip in most cases. Airlines executives are not stupid either. Whenever there are Public Holidays, they know the demand for travel would be high.  For example, 23 Dec- 04 Jan New Year period, Lunar Chinese New Year period etc. One thing to note as general rule of thumb is not to set travel date over the weekends. Flight departing on Friday and arriving back to your country of origin on Sunday often do not have promotional fares.

– Returning on Sat flight

A good way is to fly back on Saturday. I would often recommend people to fly out on Tuesday/ Wednesday and return back on Sat. (Often, you can get good prices in early promotion). Beside attractive fares, if one returns on Saturday, you may require a Sunday full day of rest to adjust, prepare mood to work on the next day, laze around to really rest (travel at time makes you more tiring, don’t you agreed?).

–  Avoid paying credit card merchant fees. 

JetStar Asia:  This airline charges about SGD$18 for what it is termed as “Convenient Fees”should one made payment online using credit card. However, you can avoid doing so by:

1) Use , Jetstar Platinum MasterCard and Jetstar Vouchers. This allow Jetstar to waive off Booking and Service Fee completely.

2) However, most of us may not have above mentioned cards. As such, the best way is to choose offline payment to “skip” the convenience charges. You will then have up to 48hrs to pay for your ticket through the respective offline modes below.

** Singapore Post offices: Cash, NETS
** Self-Service Automated Machines (S.A.M.): NETS

** 7-11 outlets: Cash, Cash Card or NETS

Please have the following handy when you make your payment:

1. Jetstar Asia Booking Reference Number – available on the Confirmation (next) page
2. Total amount due – per the payment summary below
3. NRIC/FIN
4. Name of person traveling
5. Contact number

TigerAir: Credit card bookings are subject to a a non-refundable booking fee of SGD 9.00. So if you would like to fly by TigerAir, do your booking through AXS bookings as you would only incur a non-refundable booking fee of SGD 5.00 per booking. It translates to savings of SGD$4.00 per booking. Remember, every cents counts if you are tight on travelling.

– Use of Promo code

Airlines usually work with credit card companies in offering discount using certain bank credit cards. This tie up benefits triple sides. Airline able to roll out its marketing campaign to gain more awareness and credit card able to have an extra reason why people should sign up for its credit card. The most beneficial party would be consumers. We enjoy DISCOUNTS! (*Party Travel Time!~)

One of the airline which usually have Promo code to entice its customer to book on its website is Scoot Air. For instance, they have Promo code such as “ILOVEUOB” . For this, you would require UOB Debit/Credit card to make the transaction and this bring you a saving of 10%. (Please note that the UOB promotion may have ended, but it mean likely another credit card would come into the picture) In a nutshell, take advantage of such credit card promotions to enjoy cheaper fares.

However, gentle reminder is that should the airline have already roll out special promotional prices, using promo code entitled to certain card members will not stand anymore in most cases. You cannot enjoy the best of both worlds in this realistic world!

– Always read carefully when making online Low Cost Carrier Booking 

Most budget carriers would often include add on stuff which you may not need. They add in what is termed “Ancillary Products”to increase their revenue yield for each passenger. Whenever one make a booking, the default selection would be to include Choosing Seats, Travel Insurance, Board Me First options.

If you do not need 20kg checked-in baggage, always remember to choose the option of not required and to unchecked the box that reads “No, I don’t want insurance”. Remember, it is not highly advisable to purchase travel insurance from Airline websites (Reasons are written in my previous blog post:)

Gentle reminder to always check with the latest news that airline charge during the time of booking. After all, it is just some saving tips for all to ponder and share. Last but not least, enjoy flying! (Although I wish airlines do not constantly give out such rates, as being one who works in aviation sector, it is tough! But on another side, as a traveller, I am looking forward to more such discount fares. So often, its contradicting!)

Categories: Travel Tips