Holidaymakers are rushing to book their next trip away following the easing of restrictions.
From Friday (February 11) vaccinated travellers will no longer have to test for coronavirus when they return to the UK so it’s no wonder holiday demand is at its highest.
Travel companies have already reported a record number of bookings happening since the government announced the change, with more predicted in the coming months.
Getting yourself a bargain booking is usually top of the list when it comes to organising your holiday and many have some great deals on offer at the moment, including TUI, easyJet, Jet2 and more.
However as more people than ever try to book their next holiday, it’s only a matter of time before prices start to rise.
Charles Stewart, managing director at eurochange , says a common mistake needs to be avoided when booking holidays.
Scroll down below for the essential tips you need to be aware of in order to get your next trip away at the best possible price.
When to book
Firstly, try to book in advance if you can.
If you know when you want to get away, aiming to have your flights booked three to four months in advance is usually key to getting some bargain prices.
It also helps to know when key dates fall throughout the year, as avoiding these will also help keep your costs down.
Public holidays, events and school holidays will tend to drive prices up, whilst booking during term time can help bring them down, so if you have some flexibility with when you can travel, try to avoid these peak times.
In 2022, school summer holidays will begin around July 25, so try to book before that if you can.
When you decide to book can also have an impact on the prices, with some experts suggesting that booking on a Sunday is the ideal time to get cheaper prices.
Does your browsing history bump up the price?
There’s long been a theory that the more you look at flights, the higher the costs get, however there has recently been data to suggest this isn’t true.
It’s more likely that they’re getting increasingly expensive as the flight becomes more booked, so you don’t need to worry about your browsing history bumping up the price.
The type of flight you’re looking for will also affect costs, with domestic flights often ranking cheaper than international ones.
Always factor in the extras
Finally, it’s important to remember that what might first look like the cheapest flight might end up costing you more once you’ve added on any extras.
Whilst it can be tempting to pick the cheapest one on the list, don’t forget to compare several flights, as some airlines will charge you for baggage, hand luggage, seating and in-flight services like food, whilst others include all of this in their initial price.
Getting yourself a package deal can also help cut costs, as some airlines will offer hotels, transport and baggage at a discounted rate if all booked together.