With travel well and truly back, domestic travel within Australia can be very pricey at times! In this article, we will dive into the tips and tricks for scoring the cheapest flights when travelling domestically within the Australia. From utilising the right websites to booking at the right time & day, we’ll discuss all the key factors that can help you save big on your domestic travels. So buckle up and get ready to learn the insider secrets to securing the best flight deals on your next trip!
Understanding the Australian Airlines: Reputation vs Cost
Australia has four Airlines that fly domestically… Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin & REX! For us to get the best deal it’s important we have an understanding of each carrier.
Qantas: In our experience, this is our favourite airline for reliability, service & flight frequency. Qantas won’t have the cheapest flights (unless you’re booking using Qantas points) but they will often have the least cancellations, delays & best customer service. If your trip is very important and want to have as little risk of flight delays/cancellations as possible, Qantas may be your best bet!
Jetstar: In our experience, Jetstar is our go-to if we just need cheap flights! Their customer service and flexibility with flights is terrible but it reflects in the price. You can get tickets considerably cheaper than other airlines consistently! They have a ton of sales on during the year too! If you’re not so worried about a flight delay or cancellation and just want the cheapest possible option, Jetstar is our favourite budget airline!
Virgin: In our experience, Virgin is slightly less premium compared to Qantas but far above Jetstar! Virgin has a decent reputation for good service & decent flight availability + you can also use your Virgin points on their flights. We have found their prices are similar to Qantas so can often come down to personal preference.
REX: In our experience, REX is often the best option for flying to regional parts of Australia! REX often covers destinations that the other major airlines don’t fly to meaning in those instances, it’s your only option! For flights to major cities, REX may sometimes have sales but we would argue you would have a strong chance of Jetstar beating or matching their fare. REX is our go-to for regional flights but outside of this we personally prefer the other airlines.
Maximising Your Savings: A Guide to Finding the Best Flight Deals Using the Best Travel Sites
With the right websites, tools and techniques, it’s possible to save hundreds of dollars on your flights. When searching for flights, it’s important to use multiple travel websites to compare prices and find the best deals. Some popular sites include the airlines direct website, Google Flights, Skyscanner & Ozbargain. Each of these sites has its own set of features and search algorithms, so it’s recommended to check multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Google Flights, for example, provides a user-friendly interface and allows you to easily compare prices from different airlines. Skyscanner is another popular site that is great for comparing multiple airlines & finding the best deals. OzBargain is Australia’s largest bargain hunting site and often the members are first to share about upcoming sales! By using a combination of these websites and monitoring prices over time, you can find the best deal and save money on your next trip. However, it’s important to keep in mind that booking directly with the airline is often cheaper than booking through a third-party website. This is because airlines may offer exclusive deals and discounts to customers who book directly with them. You can often sign up to their email list which may provide notifications on when sales are occurring! While it’s a good idea to use travel websites to find the best deals and compare prices, it’s always a good idea to double check directly with the airline to see what the cheapest price is. By using a combination of these tools, you can find the best deals and save money on your next flight.
Jetstar Deals & Jetmail:
If you’re looking for the cheapest options, Jetstar should be your main focus! It is rare for any other airline to beat Jetstar on prices! It is a budget airline meaning the experience may not be too memorable but you get what you pay for! They regularly have a ton of deals so go onto their site and check out their deals section here! They also have a mailing list called Jetmail, so you can be the first to know of any deals popping up!
Using Your Frequent Flyer Points:
If you already have frequent flyer points, the redemption value on domestic flights is often very good! If you wish to stick to Qantas, you can’t go wrong booking classic rewards flights domestically using points. Just make sure it is a classic rewards rate! They generally offer a lot of availability too which is great. The redemption value when using Qantas points to book Jetstar flights is not as good so always prefer to pay cash when flying Jetstar.
Google Flights: Best Way to Quickly Scan Prices!
Google have an amazing flight tool that can compare the cost of multiple companies and then condense that information in a very easy to read chart! By using their tool, you can see how you can dramatically save money on flights by filtering through dates!
Let’s say for this example, we wanted to fly from Adelaide to Hobart on the weekend sometime in the coming months! Off first glance, leaving it last minute direct return flights would cost around $800!
But if we scroll across and see what future weeks & months look like, we can see that we can get the same flights dramatically cheaper! Just a few weeks later, the price of those flights have halved!
If we are even more flexible, we can see that in May, those flights are now under $100! That is 1/8th of the cost compared to leaving it last minute!
Being Flexible with Dates:
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you will notice that we keep on going on about being flexible with dates! The example above is a good reason why we are constantly talking about that. That example just showed you how someone who is good at planning, can travel significantly cheaper than someone who wings it!
The Benefits of Booking In Advance:
Booking your flights in advance is a crucial step in securing a good deal for your trip. By planning ahead, you can avoid the stress of last minute booking and take advantage of early bird deals offered by airlines. The earlier you book, the more options you have in terms of flights, seats, and even price. Airlines often release tickets months in advance and the prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches. By booking early, you can also get your preferred seat, special meal requirements, and any other special requests taken care of before they sell out. If you see it fit, go for the rate that includes a refund policy and keep an eye on the rates over the coming months encase any sales occur and you can get it cheaper!
Remember: The capacity of a flight is limited. The more seats are booked, the less seats are available meaning airlines know there will be some desperate people who leave booking to the last minute. Airlines are in the business of making money meaning if the plane is full enough to run at a profit, anything over this is a cherry on top meaning they can bump up the price of those remaining seats as they know some desperate people will have no other choice to book them! Unless you’re waiting for a sale, it usually pays to book as early as possible for flights!
Book Direct With Airlines to Earn Frequent Flyer Points!
Booking flights directly with the airline has many benefits, one of which is the accumulation of frequent flyer points. By booking directly with the airline, you are able to link your flight booking with your frequent flyer account and earn points for each flight. These points can then be redeemed for future flights, upgrades, or even hotel stays. This can be a great way to save money on future travel and make your travel experience even more enjoyable. When booking through third-party websites, you may not have the option to link your frequent flyer account, so it’s always best to check and book directly with the airline if possible.
Considering Return, Multi City & One Way Options:
When booking flights, it’s important to consider all your options to get the best deal. Instead of just booking a round trip, consider booking a one-way or multi-city trip. This allows you the flexibility to mix and match airlines, choose the cheapest options for each leg of your journey and create a custom itinerary that fits your schedule and budget. By considering one way and multi-city options, you can save money and potentially experience more of your destination. It’s always a good idea to compare prices for all three options and choose the one that suits your travel style and budget the best. Keep in mind that booking in advance and being flexible with your dates and destinations can also help you save on flights.
Choosing Your Seats: Maximise Your Experience
Choosing your seat on the plane can be just as important as choosing the right flight. There are a few things to consider when selecting your seat, such as the view you’ll have during the flight, the amount of legroom, and the comfort of the seat itself. If you’re able to choose your seat, you may as well choose a seat with the best view for the trip. Doing a quick google search on best side of the plane to sit on during your flight will reveal some useful tips to take into consideration.
Another tip is to google the airline and airplane seat map so you can identify which seats have more legroom or are flagged as reduced recline seats. Often using a site like SeatGuru will provide all the details you need so you can choose the best seat available at the same price of booking randomly. If you need more legroom, it’s often worth paying a little extra for an exit row seat or a bulkhead seat. Additionally, seats in the front of the plane mean you may get to exit the plane quicker. Seats in front of a wall often mean reduced incline is available and seats near the toilets may be extra noisy! When booking your seat, it’s also important to consider whether you want a window, aisle, or middle seat, and whether you’re travelling alone or with someone. By considering these factors and doing your homework before choosing your seat, you can maximise your experience for very little extra cost!
Incognito Mode: A Secret Tool for Budget-Savvy Travellers
When it comes to booking flights, many travelers often forget to consider the importance of privacy. Using incognito mode while searching for flights can greatly benefit you in multiple ways. Firstly, it helps prevent airlines from tracking your search activity and subsequently, raising prices. When you repeatedly search for the same flight, some airlines can detect this and increase the prices. By using incognito mode, your search history is not saved, and you’ll be able to get the best price possible. Secondly, it can also protect your personal information and prevent any unwanted targeted advertising.
For example, let’s say you’re searching for flights to Los Angeles and keep clicking on different websites to compare prices. The next thing you know, every time you log onto Facebook or browse other websites, you’re bombarded with ads for flights to Los Angeles. This is because the websites you visited while searching for flights have placed a cookie on your browser, allowing them to track your search history. This not only feels intrusive, but it can also lead to higher prices as airlines can use this information to raise their prices based on the demand they perceive. So, remember to use incognito mode the next time you book your flights!
Summary:
- Understand which airline is best suited to you
- Use Google Flights to compare across multiple airlines
- Book direct to earn points & get best rate
- Use Ozbargain or Jetstar Deals/Mailing list of cheap flights
- Be flexible with dates
- Book in advance
- Pay attention to the seats you’re booking
