Festive-season flight fares skyrocket: Tips to book low-cost tickets

A significant setback awaits those planning to fly during the Christmas–New Year holidays, with airfares soaring across almost all major routes. As the festive rush builds, travellers are shocked by the sudden spike, leaving many jolted by the sky-high prices. Airlines have imposed steep fare hikes from mid-December through the first week of January, with the sharpest increases on days near Christmas and on routes to popular New Year destinations.

Kochi–Goa trip to cost ₹15,800
The hike has hit hardest those planning to fly to Goa, the epicentre of New Year festivities. Fares that typically range between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 have shot up to an astonishing ₹15,800 on peak days. The surge is visible across other major routes as well, including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Domestic and international travel costs a fortune
Last-minute travellers are the worst affected by this surge. Those who booked early managed relatively lower fares, while those booking now face exorbitant prices.

Foreign trips
The soaring fares are also a significant setback for expatriates travelling abroad, with tickets to and from the Gulf region also witnessing sharp increases. Travel enthusiasts accuse airlines of exploiting the holiday rush. The number of passengers turning to cheaper alternatives, such as rail, is not small.

Try these methods to book flight tickets at lower fares
Incognito (Private) mode
If you frequently check ticket fares using the same web browser, you may notice fares gradually increasing. This happens because the website stores cookies from your visits to streamline your online search experience. However, when you repeatedly search for a particular route, the fares tend to rise. You are likely to book immediately upon seeing the surge. To avoid such pitfalls, it is better to search for ticket fares in incognito (private) mode.

Clear cookies
Cookies are small pieces of data stored by websites in your browser, often containing details of your previous searches. Deleting cookies regularly makes the search process easier. The ticket fare will depend on cookies in your browser. Cookies save the latest information about your search history. So, delete cookies next time before searching for flight tickets.

Non-refundable tickets
Non-refundable tickets are cheaper than refundable ones. If you are sure about your trip and its date, book non-refundable tickets. This will help you save money for the journey. Booking a round trip rather than a one-way ticket is another way to reduce costs.

Choose the same airline consistently
Trust and loyalty are essential in any relationship, and air travel is no different. The chances of getting discounts are much higher if you consistently choose the same airline. Many carriers offer loyalty programs that add points to passengers' accounts for repeatedly flying with them. Redeeming these points will help you book flight tickets at discounted rates.

Book tickets when fares are low
While booking tickets online, choose days when fares are generally lower. Ticket prices are often lower for morning flights on Monday to Thursday than at other times. This period is known as off-peak travel. Considering this while booking can result in significant savings.

Follow airlines on social media
Social media platforms have transformed the lives of many people, and they can also benefit you as a consumer. Make it a habit to follow airlines on social media. Some carriers offer promotional deals that allow you to book tickets at reduced fares. If you are fortunate, you may even save up to 50 per cent of the ticket price. For long-distance travel, always try to book connecting flights, as they are often cheaper than direct ones.