Avoid Unnecessary Expenses at the Airport

These days, booking a flight is expensive enough before factoring in other travel-related costs like luggage, parking and food. Traveling on fewer funds is possible, though, provided you know the right tricks. If you don’t want to spend any more money than you absolutely have to while waiting for takeoff, it can help to do a little planning in advance to make sure you’re prepared. Some key points to remember are to pack light, bring along anything extra that you think you might need during the flight and jump on special deals and other opportunities for savings whenever you can.

Steps

Packing Wisely

  1. Pack a few light snacks. Load up on packaged foods that you can munch on during the flight, or devour a large meal that you know will hold you over until you land. That way, you’ll be less tempted to make a stop at the food court, where the options tend to be quite pricey. If your appetite gets the best of you, seek out a vending machine or snack kiosk instead of a restaurant.[1]
    • Items like chips, granola bars, mixed nuts and candy make perfect snacks for flying.[2]
    • Airports can get away with charging exorbitant prices for food because they know many travelers have no other alternative.
  2. Bring along a bottle of water. Fill up a small portable container that you can bring on the flight with you or stash in your bag. This will prevent you from getting thirsty and having to order a drink on the plane. If you’re unable to have a beverage on standby, be sure to stop at a water fountain and drink your fill before you board.[3]
    • Consider carrying an empty bottle or two that you can refill once you’ve made it to your terminal.[4]
    • In some cases, you may only be permitted to pack a certain number of fluid ounces in your carry-on. If you exceed the regulated amount, you may be forced to simply throw your drinks away.
  3. Supply your own reading material. The thought of facing a long flight with no means of entertainment can be cause for dread. Slip a book, magazine or newspaper into your carry-on so that you’ll have something to occupy yourself while you’re in the air. Travelers who are unprepared for boredom often find themselves forking over big bucks for novels in the airport bookstore.[5]
    • Take this opportunity to catch up on paperwork or journaling that you’ve been putting off.
    • You might also consider downloading eBooks to your smartphone or eReader device. This will present you with a wealth of literature right at your fingertips.[6]
  4. Make room for other essentials. While you’re at it, don’t forget about other practical necessities, such as earplugs, cold medicine, tissues and hand sanitizer. You can expect to pay more for these in airport convenience stores than you normally would. Basically, plan on reserving room for anything that you might end up having to purchase should you find yourself without it.[3]
    • Write out a checklist and go over it while you pack to make sure you’re not leaving behind anything important.

Dodging Additional Expenses

  1. Economize on parking. Everybody wants a coveted spot closest to their terminal, but these will almost always come at a high price. You’ll have better luck leaving your vehicle somewhere off-site and taking a short shuttle trip to get you where you need to be. Don’t forget to account for extra driving or walking time when scheduling your day.[7]
    • Look into online parking services like BestParking.com and LongTermParking.com that will help you locate the most convenient parking solutions in the area for little or no cost.
    • If possible, have a friend drop you off in time for your flight, or hire an Uber or Lyft driver. Both of these options are cheaper than airport parking.
  2. Exchange currency in advance. Rather than waiting until you get to the airport to swap out your money for a foreign currency, take it to a bank and have it done ahead of time. There, they’ll provide you with the currency you need without demanding outrageous service fees. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling on a budget.[4]
    • There may be charges for exchanging currency at a local bank, but they’ll rarely be as high as at the airport.[8]
    • Be sure that you convert enough money to pay for transportation and other basic services when you arrive in another country.
  3. Leave banned items at home. Hygiene products and other belongings that don’t meet security requirements often go straight into the trash. You’ll then have no choice but to purchase replacements later, which can drain your wallet quicker than anticipated.[3]
    • Familiarize yourself with the types of items that are forbidden by the airline you’re flying with so you’ll be clear about what is and isn’t okay to bring.
  4. Avoid stores and gift shops. This is the culprit of most airport spending. It’s also the worst kind, because you’ll be losing money on things you don’t need. If you’ve got some time to kill before takeoff, use it to read, plan your itinerary or call your loved ones instead of window shopping.[3]
    • To be on the safe side, it’s often best to avoid temptation and stay out of airport stores altogether.
    • Get your souvenirs from small local shops after you reach your destination.

Saving on Airfare

  1. Book your flight at an opportune time. Do a little research to find out when airfare is least expensive and plan your trip around this window. It can also pay to compare rates and purchase one-way tickets for both your departing and returning flights, if you can save that way. Keep in mind that airfare is often lower outside of popular tourist seasons.[9]
    • Searching for flights weeks or even months before your actual travel date can help you land the best possible deal.
    • Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are generally the cheapest days of the week to fly—airplanes tend to be less crowded on these days.[10]
  2. Take advantage of travel rewards. If you travel often or tend to use your credit card to pay for things, it’s possible that you’ve built up enough frequent flyer miles to enjoy a free (or significantly discounted) flight. Even if not, you might still be able to score snacks or other in-flight goodies. Accumulated perks can lighten your financial burden significantly, so it's best to use them when you have the chance.[5]
    • Check your points before booking your flight to see if you can cash in on some money-saving benefits.
    • Save your perks for a time you really need it, like an international flight or an emergency trip back home.[11]
  3. Don’t check a bag. Luggage fees account for a major part of most people’s travel costs. If possible, cram everything you need to bring along into a single carry-on bag that you can keep with you throughout the flight. Make it a larger suitcase or duffel bag to maximize the amount of space you have.[7]
    • Review the airline’s bylaws to see what their baggage policies are. Certain companies, most notably Southwest, allow patrons to check up to two bags without paying any fees.
    • Assuming you can’t get away with just one bag, keep your checked luggage under the maximum weight limit to avoid incurring additional fees.[12]
  4. Give up your seat. Airlines will sometimes offer incentives to selfless customers who are willing to take a hit so that a flight can depart on time. These include free or reduced airfare and hotel rates. It may be inconvenient, but it can save you a considerable amount of cash in the long run.[3]
    • This tradeoff will work best if you’re alone or traveling on a flexible schedule.
    • You might also be able to secure accommodation through the airline for flights with long layovers.[11]

Tips

  • Set a travel budget for yourself and try not to stray too far from it.
  • If you’re traveling with small children, consolidate their luggage as efficiently as you can. If you pack smart, you may even be able to fit everything they need into a single bag.
  • Dress in multiple layers so you’ll have fewer clothes to stuff into your luggage.
  • Hit a convenience store for last minute food and supplies before you get to the airport.
  • Instead of blowing your money on trinkets and other chintzy gifts, take lots of pictures. They’re often the best way to commemorate an exciting trip.

Warnings

  • While it’s possible to whittle down the cost of flying, it’s never going to be as cheap as you’d like it to be. There will be times when you’ll simply have no other choice but to pay up for the things you need to take care of.
  • Be careful where you park, even if it’s somewhere off-site. A ticket may end up costing you more than a parking pass!

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.moneycrashers.com/how-to-save-money-when-traveling-in-airports/
  2. ↑ https://businesstravellife.com/healthy-travel-snacks-for-flying/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 http://andthenwesaved.com/save-money-while-traveling/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.brokepedia.com/7-ways-save-money-airport/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://money.usnews.com/money/the-frugal-shopper/2015/08/19/5-money-saving-travel-hacks-for-the-airport
  6. ↑ https://www.tripit.com/blog/2015/02/best-apps-for-inflight-entertainment.html
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clark-howard/how-to-save-money-at-the_b_7737464.html
  8. ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/banking/exchange-currency-paying-huge-fees/
  9. ↑ http://time.com/money/4636301/cheap-flights-pay-less-low-airfares/
  10. ↑ http://www.travelzoo.com/blog/secrets-booking-cheap-flights-12-best-dos-donts/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2017/04/13/37-ways-to-game-the-airlines-how-to-get-free-flights-travel-upgrades-and-more/#702c9e517168
  12. ↑ https://www.luggageforward.com/excess-baggage-fees/
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