9 biggest myths about airfares busted

IF YOU think you know how to snag the cheapest airfare bets are you’ve being doing it all wrong. These are the flying myths you need to know.

WE’VE all heard that Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and that last-minute fares are always more expensive. But is that really true?

Low airfare listing site, airfarewatchdog.com, has busted all the myths you have ever had about flying with some surprising finds.

1. There’s no magic hour to find the cheapest prices. According to airfarewatchdog.com, airfares can change minute-by-minute. The best way to find the lowest fares is to sign up for free airfare alerts and to look several times a day.

2. Buy last minute, pay top dollar. While this is usually the case, it has been seen that overseas destinations can sometimes offer huge fare reductions at the last minute.

Is taking to the skies on a Tuesday really cheaper?

4. Travel agents are redundant. Not true. Often travel agents can find you the best airfares by separating trips or joining a cheap one-way fare with an alternate form of transport to get you to your final destination.

5. Round trip fares are the cheapest. Not anymore. Airlines have become just as competitive selling their one-way fares as they do round trips with many selling one way at exactly half the price of a full trip.

6. Clearing the cookies from your browser will help find lower fares. Airfarewatchdog.com says there is no evidence of this.

Flying from a smaller airport is no guarantee of a cheaper fare.

7. You can claim senior and child discounts and bereavement fares. Unfortunately most airlines don’t recognise these anymore and if they do the savings are meagre.

8. You don’t need to check other booking sites. This is false, no booking engine always has the best deal. Shop around.

9. Fly from a smaller airport and it will be cheaper. Thinking flying from Avalon airport in Melbourne will be more affordable than the bigger Tullamarine? It can be, but it’s often not.

For more myths about airfares visit airfarewatchdog.com