'I'm a money-saving expert – this tip could save you hundreds on Christmas travel'
'I'm a money-saving expert – this tip could save you hundreds on Christmas travel'
Travel experts are urging Brits to book flights further in advance - with a brief but powerful booking window happening right now, especially for Christmas travel
'I'm a money-saving expert – this tip could save you hundreds on Christmas travel'
(Image: Getty )
The summer holiday season is here, but some travel gurus have said now is the time to start thinking about Christmas getaways. Right now, there's a golden booking window for anyone considering a winter holiday.
Money saving expert Fred Harrington from online budgeting hub SaveMyCent said: "By July, summer vacation demand will peak and airlines start adjusting their algorithms for autumn booking patterns." So, if you're mulling over flights for December, act now before prices go up.
And there's a secret trick to snagging a bargain. Fred, who has dedicated years to scrutinising the ebb and flow of ticket prices, swears by an approach that's deceptively simple but highly effective.
Travellers urged to use 'flight search stacking' technique to save hundreds on Chrismas getaways
(Image: Getty )
Dubbed "flight search stacking", this technique hinges on understanding the intricate ways in which airlines and booking portals manage search information, reports the Express.
"Run parallel searches across multiple platforms - Google Flights, Skyscanner, airline websites - but always in incognito or private browsing mode," he said.
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"Airlines track your searches and can actually bump up prices if they think you're desperate for a particular route."
Part of the strategy is checking flexible dates and alternative routes, a practice that uncovers what Fred terms "ghost fares" - deals visible only through specific searches or less conventional choices.
"Airlines release their cheapest fare batches midweek," Fred added, stressing the importance of timing in securing the best deals.
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"Weekend bookings often trigger higher pricing tiers because the algorithms assume you're leisure travellers with flexible budgets," he continued.
Although Christmas is still a while away, utilising this little-known trick now may provide an advantage to shrewd travellers.
Fred added: "People are booking their August beach vacations right now, but completely ignoring December flights that are literally at their cheapest point of the year."
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