Planning a trip? Here’s how to keep costs low on your flights
You’ve been dreaming of beaches and cocktails, and now it’s time to book that trip - but ouch, those flights can sure sting.
Even though it might be the last thing on your mind when you’re getting ready to travel, flights are one area it’s worth getting the best possible deal on. There are some tips and tricks you can use to keep your flight costs as low as possible.
Here are some of our favourite hacks:
- Be flexible with your dates
- Clear your cookies regularly and browse incognito
- Keep it simple with budget carriers and cheaper routes
- Stay on top of hidden fees
- Book internal flights separately
- Maximise on bonuses with a travel credit card
With Australian borders open and travel spending up more than 600% on last year, according to NAB data, it’s time to get smart with how we’re seeing the world.
Be flexible with flight dates
Wanted to leave on a Friday, but Thursday is cheaper? Having some flexibility with your dates can lead to big time savings. A couple of days here and there can mean a couple of hundred dollars.
Skyscanner Australia puts the cheapest days to travel in Australia as Tuesday and Wednesday, with the cheapest months differ depending on location but tend to be lowest in May and outside of peak travel times (long weekends, school holidays and high summer). Play around with dates to see if you can score a cheaper flight.
Clear your cookies and browse incognito when shopping for flights
The airline industry is notorious for putting up prices as you continuously check fares in pursuit of a better deal.
To avoid this, make sure you’re regularly clearing the cookies on your browser. Check airfares on incognito mode, and make your final booking on a different device if you have one available.
Keep it simple with budget carriers and cheaper routes
If you’re keen to just get to your location, it might be worth stripping back on the travel costs. Budget airlines, like Jetstar and Scoot, offer the same function with a no-frills finish.
The cost can be super compelling, but remember that these fees don’t include checked luggage or, for the most part, in-air luxuries like meal service and in-seat entertainment. All of these things, plus options like choosing your seat or moving your flight, will attract extra fees.
You can also shave money off your flight by opting for the flights other people tend to steer clear of - think awkwardly timed, long layovers and red-eye flights.
Consider whether the extra fees and the potential airport waits or layover accommodation are worthwhile. Sometimes adding checked luggage, meals and entertainment can make things more expensive than paying for an airfare with a full cost carrier.
Stay on top of hidden flight fees
Like those low-cost carriers charging for checked luggage, flying can come with a lot of unexpected costs. Knowing where they lie makes it easier to avoid them.
One common fee is for the luxury of seat selection, so you’ll often have to dig deeper to grab that aisle seat you’re after. If you’re paying for luggage, make sure you’ve considered the costs of all legs of the trip - these add up quickly! If entertainment is an extra cost, check whether your aircraft type features charger ports: you might be fine to save on a screen and use your own devices all flight long.
Changing your ticket almost always attracts an extra cost, so it’s best to be sure of your travel plans. If you do need some extra flexibility, sometimes you will have the option to pay a bit extra for a ticket that can be moved (within reason).
Book internal flights separately
Planning some big trip with a lot of moving around? If you’re hopping around Europe or seeing the States, you might find that local low-cost carriers offer better deals than the ones you can book from home. Compare your options to see what serves your budget best.
Maximise on bonuses with a travel credit card
We talk a lot about travel cards, and how to make informed choices with choosing the card for you. Now let’s talk about the places it can actually save you money.
While a travel-orientated credit card is only one way to pay for travel expenses (consider also a holiday loan or putting a savings goal in place), it’s one of the few ways that has added travel-related perks.
A card partnered with a specific airline or frequent flyer program will allow you to earn points for your day-to-day spending that can then be redeemed on flights and upgrades. Making the most of points promotions through the year and redeeming them effectively won’t make flights cheap, but can reduce your total.
Many cards offer a degree of travel insurance to the cardholder, as well as perks like access to airport lounges, international wi-fi hotspot access, hotel upgrades, and credits to spend on things like car rental or accommodation.
If you’re looking more for cards to use once you land, look to options with a low foreign exchange margin to help you save on some jaw-dropping exchange fees. Make sure to keep fees like this in mind to save yourself a shock when that bill comes through.
For the ultimate essential you that’s worth splashing out on, check out our guide to cheap travel insurance. If you’re looking for a travel card, take a look at Mozo’s picks for best travel money.
Compare travel rewards cards - last updated 29 March 2024
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Apply By 2 Apr 2024
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
100,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedReceive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.* For Card Members who applied for the Card between 1 July 2023 – 9 January 2024, this change will come into effect from 10 July 2024.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299
50,000
1 point up to 20,000 points/month
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
CompareComparePlatinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $299
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to 20,000 points/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 50
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to 20000 points per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1 bonus points on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
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NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$250 $150 in the first year
70,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
CompareCompareQantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $250 $150 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $3,000 per month, then
0.33 points per dollar on Visa, up to $6,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
-
American Express Qantas Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$249
20,000
1 point uncapped
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Premium Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $249
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Premium Card
-
NAB Rewards Signature Card
NAB Rewards
$295 $145 in the first year
160,000
1.25 points uncapped
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
CompareCompareRewards Signature Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
- Rewards program
- NAB Rewards
- Annual fee
- $295 $145 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- 36 months
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 15600.0
- Sydney to London
- 239200.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20410.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
International Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Rewards Signature Card
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