Finding inexpensive airfare is possible with enough research, patience and time. Trips abroad can become very expensive; between airfare, hotels, transportation and food expenses, it is helpful to save money wherever you can. Planning a trip in advance will help you to save money and enjoy a trip that doesn't involve stressing about funds.
The more planning you can do in advance, the more money you are likely to save. If possible, start planning a trip abroad a few months ahead. Airlines as well as Hotels are anxious to book seats and rooms as soon as possible, and will typically offer promotions in advance. Booking flights may be one of the more expensive parts of the trip and you should focus your energy on saving as much money in this area as possible.
Start by Google searching for flights to India. Third-party websites will typically have a list of flights whose tickets are less expensive than those offered on a specific Airline website. If you see a flight you are interested in, write down the price and bookmark the website. Keep searching until you have half a dozen prices written down; revisit the websites and compare. Decide in advance whether saving money is worth a less comfortable seat on the plane; lower prices typically indicate that the seat in question is less luxurious and may not come with first-class amenities.
When deciding, keep in mind that the flight [depending on your location] will most likely be at least ten hours. If you will be comfortable flying in a cramped seat for ten hours, than you won't have to worry about your location on the plane. If, however, you are hoping for first-class seating, your price range may need to go up. Once you have decided what you are comfortable with, search through the websites you have bookmarked, paying attention to the indicated seating arrangements.
Find the cheapest ticket and buy it, noting whether or not the ticket is refundable in case of emergencies. Shopping third-party websites may prove to be a little more difficult as they are often filling empty seats on the plane; therefore, your options may be more limited in regards to departure and arrival time, direct flights, as well as layover lengths.
Though the average ticket price tends to be higher, standard airline websites can be more accommodating when it comes to options. They will most likely have more choices in regards to flight dates, departures and layovers. If you are planning in advance, the ticket prices will most likely be less expensive, and you will probably have more choice in choosing your seat on the plane. See if the airline in question is running any promotional offers, or if they will be in the future. If you will be traveling during a slow time of year, chances are that they will have some type of money-saving promotion occurring.
If you are planning on using travel vouchers or something similar, double check with a Customer Service Representative to make sure they can be applied to your flight. If you are flying from the United States, many travel vouchers may only be used domestically or for travel to Hawaii or Alaska. International Flights often have certain restrictions you will want to be aware of before you pack and leave for the airport.
