Getting gifts is a great way to show your love for your family, but nothing is more special than spending time together. Traveling as a family is the best way to reconnect and create new memories. Not only that, but traveling with kids is an effective way to expose them to new educational opportunities, cultures, and experiences.
When it comes to travel, you no longer have to break the bank. In the past, travel was a costly expense. Booking airfare, hotels, and transportation would cost an arm and a leg, especially for last-minute experiences.
Thanks to the lower cost of flying today, it’s now possible to book last-minute flights all around the country and world. In fact, you don’t even have to travel far to have an amazing experience as a family. Australia is a vast, exciting country with much to do on every corner.
Besides Australia, 1.2 million Aussies visit our beautiful neighbor, New Zealand, every year. Behind New Zealand, the top destinations for Austrians include Indonesia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. We’re also lucky to be close to so many exotic places like Fiji and Thailand.
Traveling on a budget is possible today, so it’s time to take advantage of these new opportunities to see the world. Here are the best tips for finding super cheap last-minute flight deals you can trust.
1. Be Flexible With Your Location
When you’re planning a last-minute trip, you don’t have much room to be picky. You know you want to go somewhere, but you haven’t discovered the right place yet. You might have tried to book a last-minute flight in the past and saw the prices shoot through the roof. That’s why being flexible is so essential.
Use a tool like Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for “everywhere travel.” This means you leave your destination blank. These platforms will then search all available flight deals for your given date range by price. You’ll see the lowest cost destinations first, and this should form the basis for your travel plans.
Of course, you’ll likely find the best deals last-minute on flights that aren’t too far away. However, a simple search for a one-week trip from Sydney found flights across the country for under $100 as well as several locations across the Pacific including Los Angeles and Tokyo for under $600 round-trip. That’s some serious savings!
2. Look for Family-Friendly Options
While you’ll likely find destinations for all types of travelers, keep your family first in mind. Your entire family might not be as excited as you are about a week touring historical sights or backpacking. In addition, there’s a lot of room for savings when you look into all-inclusive family options.
For instance, the arguably most family-friendly destination in the world, Disney World, has many all-inclusive deals designed to save families money. These include all accommodations, dining, flight deals, and entertainment all in one price.
Ultimately, consider your entire family in your destination choice. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a new place to visit, but make sure it’s the right fit for everyone on your itinerary.
3. Travel Light
Traveling by plane isn’t exactly a relaxing time for anyone. Nowadays, it’s even more stressful with all the added fees and extras. It’s hard to know just what to expect when you step on a plane. Most airlines require you to pay for checked luggage, and this can add up quickly if everyone in your family has their own bag.
Instead, travel light. Try to keep your packing to a minimum. Remember, you can always buy things like toiletries and extras when you land, so skip these in your luggage. Review the baggage policies before you fly to make sure you know what to expect at the airport.
The most inexpensive way to travel is with hand baggage only. You can find smaller duffel bags and carry on luggage that’s perfect for a short getaway. If you must have a checked bag, consider bringing only one for your entire group to save on costs. Finally, always pay for your checked bag when you first book your flight to save on costs. Most airlines charge up to double the original price to check it at the counter or gate.
4. Use Price Alerts or Deal Finders
Finally, if there’s a part of the world you know you want to travel to, set up a price alert. This way you’ll get last-minute messages as soon as the price drops. Sometimes following airline prices feels like rocket science. You have to study the rise and fall of the prices to see if there’s any real pattern. A price alert tool is the best way to get ahead of this search.
If you’re flexible on location but want to find a great deal, subscribe to a program like Scott’s Cheap Flights which sends you the best last-minute flight deals every day via email. These deals might last as little as a few hours, but can be up to 90% off the regular price.
The limited plan of Scott’s Cheap Flights is free, but you’ll miss out on some of the best deals. If possible, splurge for the premium plan which is only $39 a year. Then, you’ll receive customized reports every day. Who knows what deals you might find?
Cheap Flight Deals for the Family
Your family deserves a holiday they can look back on for years. It’s time to make the most of your time with these cheap-flight tricks above. As long as you’re willing to be flexible with your destination and budget, you can make it work without the high cost for flight deals.
Do you need help working out your travel budget? Debt Busters are here to help. With over 15 years of experience helping Australians conquer their finances, we’d love to assist with making your dream holiday a reality. Contact us today on 1300 368 322.