If you’ve ever been at a loss for opinions on reducing the costs of group air travel, there’s a treasure trove of ready-to-deploy money-saving tips for your next group adventure or family trip. From insider secrets to budget-friendly hacks, a vibrant community of travel enthusiasts share ways they’ve been able to cut costs while touring the globe in a caravan.
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1. Avoid Charter Flights
Although they offer the improved comfort and convenience that many seek, charter flights are so expensive that you shouldn’t consider them if you want to save money when traveling in a group, an individual notes.
“It should be an inexpensive option for group travel, but it is not. Charter flights put the cost of everything a plane needs to fly from point A to B: fuel, pilot and crew pay, maintenance cost, and every penny you can imagine.”
2. Book Tickets One at a Time
A travel agent advises you to book tickets separately instead of booking simultaneously. “It may be time-consuming, but you’ll be getting the best possible prices across weeks,” he explains.
One itinerant corroborates his claim. “I buy tickets individually when traveling with my family. It’s cheaper than when I buy all at once.”
3. Explore Group Discounts
While group buying is highly discouraged, you may be lucky to find discounted offers that help you save cost.” Although not so common if you can find group discounts from airlines, you’re better off using them,” a user recommends.
Someone says finding discounted offers for a caravan is like finding a needle in a haystack.
4. Speak to Airlines Directly
Instead of speaking to agents or owners of ticket websites, you’ll gain more speaking to your airline management directly if you’re seeking discounted offers. “If you are traveling in an extensive group, you should be able to get special considerations and customizable options,” one passenger handling agent suggests.
5. Work With a Certified Travel Agency
Many responses argued against using travel agencies when making reservations for your group’s air travel. They claim that working with third parties may result in hidden fees that ultimately erase savings. “With a good travel agency, you can get excellent offers and also avoid the reservation system quirk,” counsels a community member.
There’s always the fear of hidden fees when working with travel agencies, but regulated ones hardly need to rob you of your money. “If you’re chartering a plane for the first time,” someone suggests, “it may be best to go through a certified travel agency.”
6. Compare Multiple Airlines
You’ll have to compare prices from the vast selection of air service operators available to decide which would offer the best savings opportunity. “Do not limit your search to a single airline. I always use Google Flights to find inexpensive options,” a professional tour guide recommends.
7. Consider Off-peak Travels
This is the easiest way to cut prices, one contributor endorses. “Flying, both as an individual or group, during less popular times of the year attracts discounted fares. A second person says you should consider booking for group travels on weekdays, as tickets are usually cheaper than on weekends.”
8. Book in Advance
Some believe requesting flight reservations in advance is one of the many cost-effective ways to travel solo and in groups. “Buy tickets weeks before takeoff. You’ll have at least 30% off the price of the D-day.”
9. Use Less Popular Airlines
“If your city has a few airlines and they are going in the way of your destination, skip the one with traffic and settle for the less popular carriers. They’ll be happy to have you, at a cheaper rate, of course,” one frequent globetrotter suggests.
10. Try Connecting Flights
Taking advantage of connecting flights is another economical way to reduce the cost of air travel when flying with others. They are often cheaper than non-stop, direct flights even though “You may be sacrificing comfort for cost,” an air hostess implies.
11. Use Airline Credit Cards To Save On Baggage Fees
When traveling with others, your luggage can attract additional costs. According to one flight attendant, one way to save on group travel costs is to use airline credit cards to save on baggage. “Many airlines have $0 checked bag fees for cardholders, and the offer covers the luggage fee of companions traveling in your itinerary,” she clarifies.
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This thread inspired this post.
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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