Ever wondered why your mate paid half what you did for the same flight? A professional travel agent has spilled the beans on the biggest blunders travellers make when booking flights – and how to avoid them.
The Golden Rule of Flight Booking
"The single worst thing you can do is book too early," reveals our industry insider. "Contrary to popular belief, airlines don't reward early birds – they prey on them."
When Should You Actually Book?
For international flights:
- Europe: 2-3 months before departure
- Long-haul: 4-5 months in advance
- Last minute: 2-6 weeks can yield surprises
Other Costly Mistakes to Avoid
1. The Tuesday Myth: "That old advice about booking on Tuesdays is outdated. Prices now change dynamically throughout the day."
2. Clearing Cookies: "A complete waste of time. Airlines don't hike prices based on your search history."
3. Direct Booking Fallacy: "Sometimes third-party sites genuinely have better deals, especially for complex itineraries."
Pro Tips for Serious Savings
- Set up price alerts on multiple platforms
- Be flexible with airports and dates
- Consider "hidden city" ticketing (but understand the risks)
- Check fares in different currencies
The agent's final piece of advice? "Never assume you've found the best deal. The perfect fare might be just one more click away."
