MAJOR airlines are promising big savings on flights and holiday packages throughout the month as part of their September sales.
But how can you ensure you’re bagging a true bargain? And is shopping in the sale really the best time to book?
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Sophie Swietochowski shares some top tips for scoring a genuine deal with advice from the experts.
BE FLEXIBLE: It’s a simple case of supply and demand when it comes to air fares, says Laura Lindsay, travel trends and destination expert at Skyscanner.
She says: “Prices are always cheaper when there are more seats available. Demand around school holidays is always higher than off-peak so expect to pay less than if you travel during busy times.”
That’s where flexibility comes in. Moving your flight to just a day earlier or later could save you a fair whack, data suggests.
Considering a different airport, a little further from your destination, can help too, according to Laura.
She explains: “A great example of this is when flying from London to New York. There are so many options and going just a little bit further from your point of origin or destination could mean a saving of hundreds of pounds.”
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BOOK AT THE RIGHT TIME: Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at TravelSupermarket, says the key to bagging a bargain is all about timing.
“For most holidays, prices tend to dip the closer you get to departure, reaching their lowest around six to nine weeks out, before rising again,” he says.
“But that’s not the case for all trips. Bigger trips – the ones costing £5,000 or more – are usually cheapest if you book as far in advance as possible.”
AIRLINE SHUFFLING: Unless you’re part of an airline loyalty programme, you may want to consider flying with an alternative airline.
Generally speaking, you’ll have your pick of several carriers, depending on your chosen destination. Because of the supply and demand rule, switching things up to a flight that’s less in demand could save you dosh.
“Also, fares don’t have to be booked as returns,” Laura says.
“Look at flying out with one airline and back with another to save money.”
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SOMEWHERE ELSE? If you’re not set on a destination, then you have the potential to save hundreds, just by switching locations.
Laura says: “You see a deal from one airline to a popular location like Naples, but is there a better price when you consider somewhere less well known, like underrated Bari in Puglia instead?”
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USE THE TOOLS: Comparison sites can be your best pal, with companies like Travelsupermarket and Skyscanner showing deals from a number of different providers and airlines.
Along with a “whole month” search tool that highlights the cheapest days to fly within that month, Skyscanner has a “price alert” feature to set up alerts for a specific route.
So should you really trust a sale price?
Sadly, there’s no straightforward answer, but it helps to keep an eye on destinations and do your research ahead of booking.
If you’re not willing to play a game of holiday chicken, and leave things to the last minute, then booking several months in advance may be the best way to go and you can still take advantage of the airline sales to do this.
END-OF-SUMMER SALES
WITH the summer holidays over, travel companies are keen to keep us spending with September sales. Here are some of the offers . . .
BRITISH AIRWAYS: Save an extra £25 to £300 in the September sale. Book a trip before September 9 for travel until August 2026 on a range of destinations from Tenerife to New York and Dubai. See ba.com/sale.
LOVEHOLIDAYS: There’s up to £400 off selected holidays in the end-of-summer sale when with code SUNSET25. See loveholidays.com.
JET2HOLIDAYS: There are savings of £60 on all holidays before March 2027 if you sign up to the Jet2 app.
There’s also additional savings of up to £100 on getaways in September. Deals include seven nights’ self-catering at the Quayside Village in Kavos, Corfu, from £322pp including Stansted flights on September 13.
