How to Get Cheap Flights to Disney
Wondering
how to get
cheap flights to Disney (or anywhere else for that
matter)? It's pretty easy, actually. However, plan on
investing a bit of time to save money. The extra time spent
on getting the best deal possible will be worth it when you're
strolling down Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom.
Here, I share with you how to get cheap flights for domestic travel to
a Disney Destination. What does the cost of airfare depend
on?
- Competition
- Demand and Supply
- Distance
- Cost of Fuel
Many people expect airfare to be high. However, I recently
heard that a friend bought a round-trip ticket from
California to Orlando for about $250. That's much better than
other fares that were well over $300!
Here's
how to get cheap
flights to Disney and save
BIG.
How to Get Cheap Flights - Don't Book Too Early or
Too Late
Start researching airfares 6
months to a year before you plan on
traveling. This is just to see what you can expect to
spend on airfare.
Ideally, you want to
book
your flight 4 months to 3 weeks before you
travel.
Book too early and you might not get the best deal
possible. Book too late and you chance not being able to get
a flight or paying full price (and who wants to do THAT?)
Be aware that
airfares
change several times a day. You can
expect to find the lowest airfares on Tuesdays, about 12:00 p.m.
Pacific time (3:00 p.m. Eastern).
Use technology to track and keep an eye on trends. Yes, this
may be a lot of work, but keep reading - there are other tips to help
you save with less work involved.
Ask for Discounts
You may qualify for a
discount on airfare if you are a member of the
military, a student, a senior, a member of AAA. If you are
traveling due to loss of a friend of family member, let the airline
know - you may receive a bereavement discount.
Book Through a Disney Travel Agent
If you decide to
book airfare with a Disney travel agent,
specify that
you want the lowest possible fare. This may seem like an
obvious step, but your agent - having your best interests in mind - may
ignore that 4:00 a.m. flight for the 9:00 a.m. flight that's $40
dollars more.
Which brings up another point - if you don't mind paying extra for
comfort, make sure your agent knows. Spending a bit extra for
comfort or peace of mind can make a world of difference as to how much
you enjoy your vacation.
Or you can...
Book Directly Through the Airlines
By booking directly through airlines like JetBlue and Southwest, you
can save a substantial amount of money. When you visit an airline's
site, sign up for e-mail updates, then check out the airline's social
media accounts. Follow your airlines-of-choice on Facebook
and Twitter and you'll be notified the minute a special rate is
available.
How to Get Cheap Flights - Check Out Travel Sites
on the Internet
By researching
the cheapest
flights to your Disney destination
online,
you can quickly check multiple airlines at once and save time by buying
with just a few clicks. Some internet travel sites will let
you book airfare at a super-discounted rate.
Bid on Your Seats
Auction sites
offer you deep discounts
if you're
willing to be flexible. One caveat: you don't get the details
of
your flight (airline, flight number, time, etc.) until you
pay. But sometimes the savings are worth the mystery.
Shop for One
Research the cost of airfare for one against the cost of airfare for a
group. Make sure to
review
the airline's cancellation and
change policies and don't expect to get seats
together.
Bumping Your Flight
This technique is for those who may be going for a quick trip, as
opposed to those going for an extended family vacation. Once you've
booked your cheap flight to Disney, consider using this technique,
known as
bumping.
You see,
airlines know
that some passengers will not make the flight,
so they overbook. If you volunteer to take a later fligtht,
you can score complimentary tickets, money rewards, or better
seating.
The key to this technique is to arrive early, ask if they flight will
be full when you check in, carry on your bag (which may not be possible
considering where you're going), and wait by the flight desk "just in
case."
You're more likely to be
bumped during high-season, holidays, and
high-travel days.
You shouldn't rely on the possibility of getting bumped, but it's a
nice perk if you can be flexible.
How to Get Cheap Flights - Baggage Fees
Here's a idea of what you can expect to spend on baggage fees.
Prices of
checked luggage increase significantly with each additional bag.
| Airline |
First
Bag |
Second
Bag |
| American
Airlines |
$25 |
$35
|
| Continental Airlines |
$25 |
$35 |
| Delta |
$25 |
$35
|
| JetBlue |
Free |
$35 |
| Northwest
|
$25 |
$35
|
| Southwest |
Free |
Free |
| United
Airlines |
$25 |
$35
|
| US Airways |
$25 |
$35 |
Fees are only an example and are subject to change at any time. Always
check with your airline to find out the current cost of checking
baggage.
How to Get Cheap Flights to Disney - Tips to Remember
- Cheap flights to Disney are not easy to get; airlines want
you to pay higher prices.
- The best day
to purchase airfare is on Tuesday (12:00 pm
Pacific, 3:00 pm Eastern)
- The best
days to travel are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Saturdays
- The worst
days to travel are Fridays, Sundays, and
before-during-and-right-after holidays.
- Do NOT book last minute. Period. You
don't want to take that kind of risk, especially if you've booked your
accomodations and have purchased tickets.
- Avoid hidden fees - check for travel surcharges and other
extra costs that can bump up the cost of your travel.
- The first
flight of the day is often the cheapest. During
and after lunch or dinner is pretty cheap, too.
- Be flexible
- check out different airlines, different
flight times, and different airports to fly into before making a
decision.
- Consider flying into airports other than your first choice
or the closest one - the money you save on airfare may make the cost of
car rental or other transportation worth the extra effort.
- If one airline has a sale, others will follow.
- Check historical fares, trends, and other important
information to help you predict what you may have to pay for airfare
today.
- Discounted First-Class airfare may be cheaper than the
full-price of flying Coach.
Now that you know how to get cheap flights, book your cheap flight to
Disney today!
Next Steps of the Planning Process
How
to Get the Cheapest Disney Tickets
Hotels
Near Disneyland California