How to find cheap last-minute flights – and why booking early isn’t always a good idea
A TRAVEL expert has revealed the best way to find cheap last-minute flights for your holiday.
The whizz also lifted the lid on why booking sooner rather than later could set you back financially.
For many holidaymakers plotting their next foreign jaunt, booking online is a no-brainer.
Price comparison travel sites are a go-to for Brits who want to enjoy a well-deserved break without feeling the pinch paying through traditional travel agents.
However, travel expert Josh Martin argued that booking through sites like Skyscanner and Momondo will often have to fork out for additional costs.
“We’ve essentially just swapped travel agencies on the street for online travel agencies, and just like their bricks and mortar forefathers, these intermediaries will be looking to clip the ticket and suggest you pay inflated prices for convenient add-ons (insurance, checked luggage, seat reservations…,” he wrote.
You also might be tempted to book earlier before prices begin to soar, however that beaten path could cost you more in the long run.
“The early bird nowadays also gets locked into plans, hotel rooms and airfares that are non-refundable even 12 months before your departure, so your apparent discount comes with a hefty penalty if you want or need to change course.
“And, if market dynamics change – a rival airline adds seat capacity to a route, or other seats and rooms aren’t selling as well as they should – the price may dip to the same or lower than early bird deals.”
ROOM FOR MORE
It comes after one traveller revealed revealed an easy way to snare free snacks and drinks at your hotel.
All it takes is a quick phone call with a dash of politeness, the TikToker says.
Social media star “thejuliabaird” posted a viral video showing how to make the hack work.
Whenever you have a hotel stay, make sure you get someone to call them up to ask if they can do “something special” for you.
Julia explains: “Every time I’m travelling, my mum calls the hotel to do something special for me, even if it’s, like, not a special occasion.
“I’m in Vancouver right now travelling for work, and my mum called the hotel and had them put together a little gift basket.”
Savvy ways to cut costs at the airport
PREPARING before you enter an airport could save you a lot of cash.
Food prices tend to be inflated in airports, so bringing your own food for your family could save you a small fortune.
You can take solid foods like sandwiches, crisps and fruit through security, so pack an airport picnic instead, but use a clear container.
Getting a lift to the airport? Avoid pricey drop-off charges — usually at least £5 — by pulling up in free areas instead. Some airports have a shuttle bus from places further out where you can park for free.
Take an empty water bottle – you can refill once you are through security at most airports.
You could take a reusable coffee cup, too – Pret for example will give you a discount if you bring your own cup.
And one key thing to remember is that Duty Free is not always a good deal, so don’t be duped into buying something that you could get cheaper elsewhere.
And, crucially, don’t exchange your money at an airport if you can avoid it – they tend to have the worst exchange rates.
You are likely to get a much better deal if you exchange your currency in advance nearer to your home.
If your local currency exchange doesn’t have what you need in stock, you can usually order it in several weeks in advance.
By Laura Purkess, consumer features editor and consumer champion, The Sun
She then films herself walking into her room to find a little bundle of treats including popcorn, sweets and fruit.
“Look at this – literally from my mum – for free.
“Not only did I get free snacks, but they also wrote me a little card.
“If you or your mum isn’t calling the hotel every time you travel, you’re doing something wrong.”
Hotel staff took to the comments to rave about the idea.
One said: “I used to work at a hotel and would give out the free snacks/waters to whoever asked for one or whoever was nice to me so this def works lol.”