Six Reasons Why You NEVER Get Cheap Fares
Greetings from Granada, Nicaragua! You know how you see low cost flights, or hear about someone who got a great deal on cheap fares, but you can never actually find those cheap fares? Today, I’m sharing six reasons you aren’t getting super cheap low cost flights.
#1 Limited Time Offer
Usually when you see the super low cost flights, it’s for a limited time only. It could be limited to a short travel window, or it might be a flash sale that you have to jump on ASAP. Airlines use these low fares to fill seats on a plane and once they hit a minimum, they may increase the fares again. My advice is that if you see a low airfare, jump on it. If you’re flexible with time and not tied to a school calendar or other commitments, you can really take advantage of these kinds of deals.
Tip: If you are flexible with your travel dates, sign up for ticket alerts that will alert you to super cheap flight deals.
#2 While Supplies Last
There is usually a limited number of cheap fares when you see a airfare sale. Much like Black Friday deals on a jumbo TV, there is likely a very limited number of seats at the advertised low price. This applies to using miles for travel also. Sometimes, there are only a few lower mileage seats on each flight. Again, if you see these fares you need to be ready to jump on them before the cheap seats are all sold out.
Read: How Pickpockets Work in Europe
#3 Shipping & Handling Not Included (Taxes May Apply)
Sometimes you might see a cheap fares advertised, but by the time you check out and add on fees and taxes, you’re paying much more for that flight. Especially with low-cost carriers, like Allegiant, you will get a cheap seat, but you will pay extra for everything, including checked bags, carry-on baggage, assigned seats and more.
Tip: Sometimes transport from the airport can be more expensive than your cheap ticket price. Take all costs into account before jumping on a cheap fare.
#4 Bait & Switch
The cheap fares you see advertised will not match what you see online. We saw $300 tickets to Managua advertised, but once we went online, they were $1000. You might see the deal and get really excited about a destination, only to be disappointed by the higher ticket price. Sometimes those cheap tickets are for very early or very late flights, so once you choose more convenient flight times, those cheap fares disappear. Be sure to check the schedule.
#5 Would You Like Fries With That?
This tip refers to all the little things that add up when buying a cheap airline ticket. Similar to tip #3, you might actually see really cheap fares, but then start to watch as all the little charges add up. Want to pay with your credit card? That’s $4. Want to pay with your debit card? That’s only $2. Forgot to print your boarding pass at home? That’ll be $4 to print it at the airport! Snacks and food will cost extra. As a family traveling together, we might want to board early to get the overhead space. That can be another $15. You really have to look out for hidden costs as they might add up to the price of a regular flight and even up not being such a great deal after all.
Read: How to Eat Cheap & Well While Traveling
#6 Buy One Get One Pricing
You might see a super cheap ticket from Chicago to Managua, but then when you try to find a deal on a return flight, you can’t. This happens a lot when you see a good deal. It can be really difficult to match up a return ticket to get you to the low advertised price.
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