Cheap Airline Tickets, Hotels & Car Rentals (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to bundle car rental and hotel? ›

It's not necessarily cheaper to bundle

But bundling isn't always cheaper. Even Expedia's 10% stat comes with the caveat “up to.” Many travel providers offer better discounts when you book with them directly versus with a company that provides a bundling service.

Book your flights for the middle of the week

On those days, tickets are roughly 12% to 20% cheaper than flying on a weekend day. For economy tickets, prices on Tuesday and Wednesday are generally 24% lower than peak prices, saving you roughly $85 per ticket, CNET's Sophia Fox-Sowell reports.

While you don't need to plan too far out, you also don't want to wait until the last minute to purchase domestic flights. The Expedia study found that the sweet spot to book is around 28 days before departure, where travelers save an average of 24% compared to those who wait.

It is usually less expensive to rent a car anywhere other than at the airport. That's because of the high fees airports charge the rental companies. Better to identify rental locations off-site before your trip, and reserve a car there, even with the cost of a cab or Uber to get there.

As previously mentioned, booking airfare on Sunday is cheaper than other days of the week, especially Fridays. Be willing to fly mid-week. Since Thursdays tend to be the cheapest day to fly, see if you can tweak your travel plans so you depart and fly home during the week instead of on weekends. Set price alerts.

However, the day of the week of the flight does impact the price. Fridays and Sundays, when people travel the most, garner the highest prices. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when people are typically at work, are when fares drop to their cheapest.

Otherwise, winter is the most affordable season in which to fly. A flight in January costs an average of $125 compared to traveling in November. Try to book tickets for winter travel 42 days in advance.

Do flight prices go down at night? ›

Do flight prices go down at night? Sometimes. Airfare prices change regularly based on supply and demand, and the airline's resulting prediction of how it can maximize income on remaining seats. Computer software is often in charge of analyzing this and updating fares.

A new study is solving the eternal question of when to book your flight for the best price. According to CheapAir.com's Annual Airfare Study, booking a ticket at least three weeks before departing, and no more than 2.5 months in advance, is the sweet spot for snagging the best flight deal.

Key Takeaways: Bundling home and auto insurance from the same insurer can often save you money on your premiums. Sticking with one insurer can also make managing your policies and paying your premiums easier.

Consider bundling hotels and flights

“If you plan on staying at a hotel during your trip, always check to see if a package deal is cheaper. Brands are usually more willing to offer discounts when it's less transparent, such as in a bundle.” And if you can be a bit spontaneous, you can grab an even better deal.

Try booking at the last minute. While a bit more of a gamble, procrastinating can sometimes save you money. NerdWallet found that rental car prices tend to be cheaper when booked one week in advance of the reservation date versus three months in advance. Look to rental car loyalty programs.

If you have certain preferences for flights and hotels, then it's advised to book them separately. This gives you the flexibility to select your specific choice, which the bundling package may not offer.