Once upon a time travel was affordable. Many thought it was still too expensive but compared with today's prices it was not expensive. Trying to fly anywhere today is not unlike trying to figure out if you can afford a second home. Airfare costs are so expensive that business and individuals are replacing vacations with staycations and conference calls. Of course staycations are affordable and cost less money overall but are you really going to enjoy your time off sitting at home or in your office when you could be doing something fun? Fortunately for you there are ways to get affordable airline tickets for domestic flights. Keep reading to learn how you can get the most travel for your money.
Ask the airline if it offers any discounts for people who are your age. Senior citizens, children, and students are often offered discounts on ticket prices. Depending on the package you purchase, children under a certain age may fly free. Depending on the airline, a college student may also be eligible for a discount. Be sure to ask about any specials when you purchase your tickets. The worst that can happen is that the person on the other end of the phone or internet will say no. You won't be denied a ticket for asking about available discounts. This is actually the most direct way for getting a cheap domestic flight.
Arrange to receive e-mail alerts about flights you are interested in. This way you will be notified instantly if airline prices change for the dates you want to travel on. You may also want e-mail alerts for any special discount fares that the airlines sometimes offer at the last minute. If you like hopping on a plane, with only a day or two to plan, then this type of flight can be great. With e-mail alerts, you also have the opportunity to book a number of discount flights at one time, if you are someone who travels a lot. Over time, having access to this kind of information can save you thousands.
One way to avoid the rising costs of air travel is to drive! With the wait times in security lines and check ins, driving to your destination might be just as fast as flying. It depends on your car and current gas prices, but in some cases driving even costs less than a flight. Driving would almost certainly be cheaper if you shared the costs with one or more other people. This might not be what you had in mind for a cheap domestic flight, but it could be an even cheaper way to travel! It's good to take a road trip every once in a while!
You can find cheap domestic flights without much difficulty. Flying doesn't have to be expensive, if you take the time to find a good deal. A very simple but often effective way to book a cheap flight is to ask the airline for a better price (this works with hotels as well). Don't worry -just because the advertised prices are high does not mean that you are forced to pay them!
