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July 03, 2025

Read about our staffGreetings!

I love to travel and I do so often. Because of this I have had to work at keeping air fare down. This is especially true when you're planning a family trip.

I'm going to share some of the tricks I've learned (and tested!) to help you save money the next time you're booking a flight.


Be Well,
Anisa

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Try A Few Of These To Save Big!

Elec-OrangeZapClear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode
Airlines and travel sites sometimes raise prices based on your search history. Combat this by browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cookies before searching again. It helps you see the true current price.

Book at the Right Time
Experts say the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is usually between 21 to 60 days in advance. For international flights, plan even earlier. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings often offer the best fares, so try to book then if you can!

Use Fare Trackers and Alerts
Don't constantly refresh your browser! Sites like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner let you track flight prices and send alerts when fares drop. It's a simple way to snag a deal without the hassle.

Consider Nearby Airports
Sometimes flying into or out of a smaller airport nearby can save you hundreds. Just make sure the cost of transportation to and from that airport doesn't eat up your savings. A little research here can pay off!

Mix and Match Airlines
Don't be afraid to book two one-way tickets on different airlines if it saves you money. Some sites like Kayak and Expedia will even show you "hacker fares" that combine different airlines for the best price.

Fly Midweek or at Odd Hours
If your schedule allows, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fly. Early morning or late-night flights are often less expensive too, as fewer people want to travel at those times.

Join Frequent Flyer Programs (Even If You Rarely Fly)
Many programs are free to join and offer perks like free checked bags or early boarding; plus, those miles can add up faster than you think, potentially leading to free flights or upgrades down the road!

Check Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant can offer steep discounts. Just make sure to factor in any extra fees for baggage, seat selection, and other services to get the true total cost.

Use Points or Cash-Back Rewards
If you have a credit card that earns travel rewards or cash back, check if you can redeem those points for flights or apply a statement credit. It's a fantastic way to bring your out-of-pocket cost down significantly.

In Closing...

With a little planning and flexibility, airfare doesn't have to ground your travel dreams. Use these thrifty tips to take off for less, and spend more where it counts—on your experience, not just your seat.

Reader Tips Worth Every Penny

The article from June 19th (see here) generated the most ever readers comments for Thrifty Tips. Here are some of them.

Marlene T. from Ohio:
"I checked unclaimed.org after reading your email and found $74 from an old insurance refund I completely forgot about. Thank you so much for the reminder!”

Keith W. from Arizona:
"Your article got me curious—I looked up an old savings bond my dad gave me years ago and turns out it had matured. I cashed it in for over $200!”

Joanna S. from Florida:
"I had no idea the IRS had unclaimed checks. I used the ‘Where’s My Refund?’ tool and sure enough, I had money waiting from a few years back.”

Dee L. from Michigan:
"This newsletter was such a helpful nudge. I’ve moved five times in the last ten years and never thought to check for unclaimed funds. Turns out I had a utility deposit refund waiting.”

Ryan K. from Texas:
"Honestly I thought this was a scam when I first read it—but I took a chance and found $41 from a closed bank account. Worth the five minutes!”

Reply back to me with any comments on today's or past issues.



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