Inspiring Adventure

Searching for flights can be a trying task. With so many airlines flying to thousands of destinations it can be difficult to find good value options, at reasonable times, and without being stung for additional extras.

Below are a few tips that I use to find the best deals when booking our family’s holidays.

1. Use a flight comparison website such as Skyscanner.net (my personal favourite). If you aren’t set on a particular destination then you can select ‘everywhere’ in the search criteria, input your dates, and see where in the world you can fly to cheaply.
2. Once you have found a flight you like check the airline’s own website as it may be cheaper booking direct. Sometimes it can work out cheaper flying out with one airline and back with another (flight comparison websites don’t always show these options).
3. If you see a flight that you like the look of but it is a little too expensive don’t give up on your holiday. Check back regularly as airlines are constantly amending their prices based on demand.
4. Check the baggage allowance for the airline you are flying with. Adding baggage and extras to a flight can quickly bump up the price (especially if you have sporting equipment such as skis). Think about whether you are able to consolidate your family’s travel essentials into one or two checked bags.
5. Don’t automatically book all the added extras available, such as car hire, travel insurance and airport parking before checking that it is the best deal. Sometimes it will work out cheaper booking these as a ‘package’ but not always (more to come on this in future posts).
6. Where children have an allowance for hand luggage make use of it and pack with essentials. They may feel that taking 27 micro machines and the entire contents of the Lego drawer (which will be ignored all holiday) is a good use of their 10kg allowance, but it could be used to reduce the number of checked bags.
7. There are certain kids items which can be taken for free such as push chairs, car seats, and travel cots. Make use of the space available. Put blankets and sheets in the travel cot bag (it is amazing how much you can fit in!) Store small toys, sun shades and rain covers in the push chair bag or beneath a folded push chair. Put outdoor coats and jackets into the car seat bags before checking them in. Obviously be sensible and don’t overload these extra bags as it is probably frowned upon by the airline but we haven’t ever had any issues.
8. Where possible we don’t pay for allocated seating. Generally if you book as a group you will be allocated seats near to one another, and children will never be left to sit on their own. If you find that you are allocated a block of three and then one single seat you can argue with your partner about who is going to have a peaceful flight!

If you have any other tips I would love to hear them. Feel free to follow and contact me via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.