The summer season has almost officially begun and if you're planning to take a holiday on a limited budget anytime between June and August, it can be a challenge to snag a good deal.
While some carriers earlier announced they're absorbing fuel surcharges, ticket prices are still high, thanks partly to rising seat demand. Travel experts say fares for flights leaving the UAE are now 10 to 12 per cent more expensive compared to the same period last year.
With its high expatriate population, Dubai sees an exodus of holidaymakers flying to their home countries and other popular tourist sites between June and August, a lucrative season for the country's travel industry.
"Airlines have a higher fare in the peak season than the off peak, so traditionally, the fare structures are higher. So, the later you book for the peak, the higher the fare, as the number of bookings increase. You really cannot bag a good deal unless it is to a non-expatriate destination," an official of an airline company told Gulf News.
But this doesn't mean you'll have to sulk in the corner for the rest of the summer. The peak of the travel season is still weeks away, so you haven't completely lost your chance of securing that dream trip.
Gulf News asked a number of travel specialists in the UAE to dish out some tactics to help you score value-for-money air tickets.
There is no trick that will guarantee you the lowest fare in the market, because there is a host of complex variables involved in ticket pricing. But if you use a combination of tricks, coupled with a great deal of forethought and patience, you'll be in a good position to fly away and keep your bank balance intact.
Buy early
The rule of thumb for getting great fares, whether during peak or slow season, is to always book in advance. So, it is logical that you secure your tickets soon.
"If you buy one week before departure, there's a slim chance you'll find a good deal, because right now, everyone is looking to travel to almost all sectors between June and August," says Tharun Alukkan, travel consultant at Sun & Sky Tourism and Travel.
Tarek Khatri is the vice-president for business development at Cleartrip, an online travel company that caters to travellers in the UAE. He recommends that people give themselves an eight-week window to plan their trip, book and purchase tickets. Advance purchase can translate into 20 to 45 per cent savings, depending on how early you secure your seat.
"You can save up to 45 per cent if you book eight weeks in advance, 35 to 36 per cent if you book more than five weeks in advance. The amount you're likely to save will reduce as you come close to your date of travel. If you book three to four weeks before, you can save around 20 to 22 per cent on the fare," Khatri told Gulf News.
Compare prices
But before you rush to purchase your tickets, do some serious comparison shopping first. Call your favourite travel agent and see what they can offer. Compare their offers with what's available online. Check multiple travel search engines for deals, including websites of airline companies.
"It is always advisable to check on an online travel website to see the best airfares as they display fares on all airlines starting with the lowest fare," said Manoj Gagwani, Dubai-based senior manager for international markets at MakeMyTrip, an online travel company.
Take mid-week flights
While you're on the hunt for the best fare, consider flying on off-peak days or in the middle of the week, when there's less traffic. Ticket prices are dependent on seat supply and demand, so if there are less people travelling, fares tend to be lower.
William Horsley, general manager of Al Futtaim Travel, said the slowest days for airlines departing from Dubai are Mondays and Tuesdays. For flights into Dubai, the slow days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "Avoiding departures or arrivals on weekends can mostly get you lower fares," Horsley noted.
"For sectors that are popular for holidays and family visits, weekday fares are likely to be better as the demand for weekend departures is higher," added Amit Saberwal, senior vice-president, international markets at MakeMyTrip.
Khatri did a quick search on various flights to Cairo, Kathmandu, London and Manila and compared various prices, to find out which travel days are likely to give you lower fares. Weekday flights turned out cheaper than those that leave on the weekend. The cheapest available price for a weekday trip to Cairo was Dh1,748, compared to Dh1,799 for a weekend flight in July.
"That's about Dh50 difference. If you multiply it by three to four passengers, that's a considerable amount."
Choose off-peak times
If you want to stretch your travel money further, take a look at the flight times. It might do you well to avoid late-night departures out of Dubai and evening arrivals in Dubai, as these are traditionally in demand. "Selecting timings other than these could get you lower class availability," Horsley said.
"Peak flights, due to demand, get booked up to higher classes and the resultant available fare will always be much higher than on an off-peak flight," added Ratan Ratnakar, vice president, market development and pricing, Gulf Middle East and Africa, Jet Airways.
Mix and match airlines
And if you value savings more than convenience, consider a mix of airlines, but make sure the layover doesn't last more than four hours. "Non-stop flights would always be a little bit higher because they offer the convenience that you won't get from flights with connections through other airports," said Premjit Bangara, travel manager, Sharaf Travel.
Choose airlines wisely
The value of your ticket will also depend on which airlines you will fly with. Leading carriers that have direct flights to popular destinations, enjoy a huge network and regularly attract huge passenger traffic may not be a good option for travellers on a shoestring. Consider low-budget carriers or smaller airlines instead.
Add hotel in your airfare booking
If you're going to stay in a hotel, take a full package instead. "The airfare part of the package is based on what is known as inclusive tour fare which is approximately up to 30 per cent reduction on the published airfare and is significantly cheaper than combining a published fare with ground arrangments," said Horsley.
Take nearby airports
If you have the flexibility, consider flying into an alternative airport. For example, if you're flying to Manhattan in New York and the ticket for the JFK airport is quite expensive, Newark airport could be a cheaper option. However, make sure you don't lose your savings on airport transfers.
Don't delay
Once you've spotted a good deal, book or purchase it right away, if possible. It will annoy you to find out that the Dh2,000 flight you spotted 30 minutes ago has just gone up to Dh3,000. "Ticket prices fluctuate a lot. They don't change only after one hour, but at any moment," said Alukkan.
For those who don't feel comfortable buying online, Alukkan suggested it's best to coordinate with the travel agent. "If you've found a good price, call the agent right away and have that particular seat blocked. We can block it for you and if you purchase the ticket right away, you might still get the same flight for the same price."
