If you've been on the fence about a trip to Europe this year, maybe this will make you hop off. If you do decide to go, especially this spring, the time to shop is now.
1. Shop now for good deals.
Because of the plunge in world oil prices over the last year, U.S. airlines have reduced or dropped fuel surcharges on many of their international routes. The good news is, an average price reduction between 6 percent and 15 percent for flights to Europe compared to the same period in 2015.
2. The dollar is strong.
This may not make a lot of difference in perennially expensive cities like Venice and Paris, but it can mean savings in hotels and restaurants in lower cost destinations. Experts quoted in numerous media reports advise that, when in Europe, do not accept offers to "pay in dollars"when using a credit card. Although it may sound easier, it could mean a worse exchange rate for you.
3. Plan a trip for Spring
Traveling to Europe in the Spring costs much less than in the summer, when peak season prices kick in. Look for fares to increase in mid May. The sooner you go, the better - better being cheaper - because you'll save 15 to 30 percent by traveling before mid May compared with after.
4. Plan a trip for late Summer
In the airline universe, autumn begins around August 20th, so if you travel on that date or after (on most airlines) you will save 15 to 30 percent over prime-time summer fares.
Compare Fares: This sounds so simple but many ignore this step. Bad idea, because no single airline always has the best prices. If you only look at one carrier's fares, you may pay way more than you have to.
Compare non-stops with connecting flights: You can often save big bucks by avoiding the convenience of a direct flight. This is not always true, though (it can vary by route) so again, compare fares.
Include a Saturday: Many international flight deals require a Saturday night stay and if that's the case, booking a Sunday-to-Saturday trip could cost you. Keep a Saturday night in your itinerary.
Look for less costly destinations: Try flying to one of the cheaper cities of Europe such as Dublin and use that as a launch pad to other cities, and travel on one of the continent's ultra-cheap discounters. If you do this, pay close attention to the fees; some of those airlines have draconian baggage allowances and the extra fees and/or overweight costs can blow any savings.
Use miles: A trip to Europe might be the perfect time to use at least some of your miles. Maybe you don't have enough for an award trip but you may have enough to significantly reduce the price of a ticket.
No comments:
Post a Comment