I love air travel, but it can be so stressful. You can’t be late, but airlines can. It’s expensive, so there’s a lot on the line. Booking flights has to be done early and is very permanent (most airlines charge a $200 change/cancel fee), so it’s kind of a perfectionist decision-maker’s worst nightmare. This year I find myself having to make a decision most weeks about where I’d like to spend my 1-2 days off, and it’s really hard to predict that months in advance! Here are my tips for finding cheap flights, avoiding fees, and booking smart:

1. Embrace Southwest. They use a “choose your own seat” system, which I hate, but the perks are unmatched. You can change/cancel flights without fees, and get 2 (yes, two) FREE checked bags. They make booking one-way flights easy and inexpensive, and often offer vouchers if you experience a long delay. Downside: the airline is built for families and vacationers and seems more prone to delays, especially late in the day.
2. Prices go up within 60 days. And even more within 2 weeks. This is tested and proven for all airlines! Deciding on my travel schedule this far in advance is difficult enough, and far more stressful because there’s money on the line! I wish I could book a flight the day before like a cab ride, but it would likely be 5x the price.
3. Download the apps and sign up for rewards. The benefits add up quickly! They also save your user info, credit cards, and seat preferences in an account so you can book easily and quickly.
4. If you’re deciding between two flights, book the earlier one. Delays are likely, and if something is cancelled you’ll want the backup option.
5. You can cancel within 24 hours of booking. This is a law for every US airline, and is true for every flight involving a US destination as well. I set my phone alarm for 20 hours from when I’ve booked, just to mentally re-address and make sure I’m still good with it.
6. Book with airlines directly. I use travel sites like Expedia to compare rates, then book the flight on the airlines site or app. This is because travel sites don’t like airlines, and vice versa, which means that they make life really difficult when things go wrong. I’ve been repeatedly sent back and forth between the two during delays and cancellations, each blaming the other. One time this involved a 55-minute hold time at 1 dollar/minute in Nova Scotia. Grumble.
7. Search JetBlue, Southwest, and Norwegian Air separately. These airlines often have great rates, but travel sites like Expedia or Travelocity won’t show them. Some sites like Kayak.com claim to show all airlines, but I have found the most reliable way is to search on these airlines’ sites directly.  
8. Trip insurance only covers emergencies and last-minute trip interruptions. It doesn’t mean you can call up a day in advance and get a refund for your flight. Read the whole policy and take time to understand it. Sometimes it’s useful and sometimes it’s not. Another reason Southwest is unmatched.
9. Consider TSA Pre-check. Frequent travelers won’t regret signing up for TSA pre-check. About $90 buys you a three-year membership and allows you to bypass most security lines. You can sign up in airports and it usually takes about half an hour. With pre-check I can usually get to the airport about 30 minutes before I board (depending on the airport.)
10. Visualize. If you’re having trouble making a decision about a flight, try visualizing the scenario and predicting what you may prefer in the moment.Will you want to get up at 6am the last day of your vacation to save $30 on a flight? Will you prefer to connect through Chicago Midway (blah) or Detroit (yay)?  
11. Weigh your options. Here are the questions I ask myself when I’m booking each flight:
    1. Is there a chance I’ll need to change the flight? (If yes, go with Southwest)
    2. How many bags will I need on this trip? (I get 1 free with Delta, but 2 free with Southwest.)
    3. Will I be flying on the day of the show, aka can’t risk delays? (If so, avoid Southwest)
    4. Is there a non-stop option? (Always preferable) 
12. Download the Service app. Another fellow traveler recently introduced me to this awesome app, which gets you money back for delayed flights. Particularly good for frequent travelers, Service scans your email for notifications of flight delays and automatically files claims with airlines, who often offer a “good will” compensation. I just started using it, so feel free to share your experiences! www.getservice.com

Any other tips or questions? Enjoy your trip, drrifters! 💙🌏💨

Diana