Airfare for Summer Travel - Playing the Game
Purchasing airfare for our international travel programs is often the most perplexing and frustrating elements of making these trips come together. In attempting to connect athletes from across the U.S.A., as well as from other countries, there is never a perfect solution. Convenience can come at a price, but it’s part of our goal to keep the budget minimized. Learning how to work the airfare market is just as important as any other logistical detail associated with an overseas journey. Being scrupulous and flexible can result in savings of $1000 or more, thus keeping more in the bank for a longer trip, or more trips in the future.
How do I “work the market” so to speak? I’ll attempt to explain my background and process for getting the most bang for the buck when it comes to securing airfare for international trips.
1) I grew up as an “airline brat.” Both of my parents were employed by major airlines, which changed with various mergers. They both retired in the 00s with Northwest Airlines, which was subsequently gobbled up by Delta. As a child, we would frequently jet set off for the weekend, knowing full well that flying “stand-by” might land us in the airport for a night, or routing through some other city. The risks were worth it; we were able to visit far away places for a fraction of the price. Sometimes this meant flying on Christmas Eve, or on overnight red-eyes. It also meant that we often got to sit in first class. Travelling this way as a boy taught me some important lessons: I learned to not take my privilege for granted, I gained a sense of how the industry operates, and I found that how putting up with a little bit of discomfort could result in some major savings. Okay, there’s one more thing: I learned that eventually, I would make it home. This optimism and hope has influenced me in more than just air travel. My willingness to not see the end, but to know I’ll get there somehow, has informed the adventurous adult that I am today.
Jackson and Jonas trust that through Aaron’s leadership, we will arrive at the destination.
2) Airline travel is a game. I don’t know how else to look at it. Either the traveler plays the game, or we pay someone else to play it on our behalf. The market is constantly in flux. Algorithms process a seemingly infinite amount of data per millisecond, and the end user is at the mercy of what these formulas spit out. In so many ways, it’s like gambling. Through experience, it’s possible to identify some trends, and use this knowledge in the future, but it’s not guaranteed. We have to accept that the airline industry is attempting to make profit for its shareholders, and this doesn’t mean charging the exact cost for what it takes for us to board a plane, have our luggage loaded, and get a bag of peanuts. It is infinitely more complex than this. In playing the game, it’s helpful to have a little bit of knowledge on how markets work and some basic economic theory. However, the airlines’ play sheet isn’t exactly public knowledge. This is the stuff of actuaries, computer models, and boardroom execs who have the corporations bottom line in the best interest, not the consumer.
3) Being flexible with travel dates is by far the best way to save on airfare. For most of us though, this isn’t a luxury we have. In planning summer trips, I cannot change the dates just to get a better airfare. However, my trip dates are often planned around the historically cheaper flying days/times. For example, it’s usually cheaper to fly internationally on a Monday or Tuesday, and return on a Friday or Saturday. Don’t ask my why, but I’d assume it has to do with supply and demand, and attempting to fill seats, but I don’t really know. Occasionally, after one of my trips has formed, we’ll look at dates to see if flying one day earlier or later (on either side) could result in significant savings.
4) Book early, but not too early. Through my experience in planning international summer programs for the past 9 years, I’ve found that the best time to purchase airfare for summer travel is January. Pre-Christmas bargains are often available, but these might require a convoluted itinerary. January can see savings of $200-600 over what might be paid for the same fare February through March. After March, prices gradually increase until about 2 weeks before departure, and sometimes drop a little. Bottom line, booking airfare in January for summer travel will usually give the best combination of price, availability, and convenience.
5) Consider breaking up the itinerary. It might be possible to save big by getting a bargain flight to a major hub like AMS or CDG, then checking in for another airline. When a full itinerary is clumped together by a major airline, just remember that they all have to get theirs. When going this route, it is critical to check connection times, arrival/departure terminals, extra bag fees. This technique is probably more on the expert level of playing the game, and one must be scrupulous to avoid having an epic upon arrival. There can be a lot of hassle involved, especially with baggage.
6) How much does your frequently flier program save? As a member of Delta’s SkyMiles program, I save a significant amount in baggage fees. Basically, I don’t have to pay for checked bags on any flight. This could be a savings of $320 on a transatlantic flight if I check 2 bags each way. This makes it worth it for me to stick with Delta as much as possible. When adding up earned miles to get free travel, and other perks like priority treatment, same day flight changes. And if I book companion travelers on my same itinerary, most of my benefits transfer to them. Full disclosure, I wouldn’t be as loyal to Delta if I hadn’t amassed the benefits from consistency. Also, since my parents retiree benefits are through Delta, this has obviously developed some long-term brand loyalty.
7) Use all of the travel search engines! Maybe you don’t have time to dig through the internet…I totally understand. But in this day and age, it is essential in playing the game. I tend to start with Google Flights and skyscanner, but I also enlist the help of the mobile app Hopper to track the market, and get notifications. Usually, when I’ve announced a program in the fall, I’ll enter travel dates and locations in Hopper (with a few various departure/return configurations) and set it to receive notifications. Although I don’t tend to rely on these notifications, it has helped inform me of market trends.
8) What day of the week to book. Yes, this can make a difference. As a rule, it’s cheaper to book Tuesday through Thursday. There are many theories on this, and I cannot proclaim to understand any of them. A few years ago, when booking airfare to Cape Town, I noticed a significantly lower rate available only on Tuesdays in January. At the end of the month, this hard to believe special disappeared. I will tend to check in on my intended airfare on Sunday then Tuesday of the same week, to see if there is noticeable difference.
Time is money. I get it, and admit that all of these tactics can take a lot of time; time that you would probably rather spend with your family, at the gym, or folding and putting away your laundry. Hopefully, these bullet points give you a bit more of a strategy for the next time you have to play the game. Knowing how to cut your losses, or at least, what you are up against with the 800+ billion dollar global airline industry, you’ll feel a bit more empowered to play the game on your own terms.
Finally, it’s incredibly important for me to acknowledge the environmental output of air travel, and the effect that it is having on our planet’s environment. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the privilege to travel so much, for both work and pleasure. Every time I step onto a plane, I have to accept that this luxury is contributing to human caused climate change. Furthermore, by earning a living by taking along clients to experience international travel, I’m contributing even more. My current response to this is to donate a percentage of our revenue to offset the carbon footprint we are leaving from air travel. Firstly, alpha climbing is a business member of 1% for the Planet, a global non-profit dedicated to connecting businesses like mine with non-profits who are doing good for the environment. I’ve chosen to donate my 1% to the Nature Conservancy, because of their consistent mission to preserve and protect natural spaces, as well as reforestation efforts.