How much does your budget flight actually cost? Five ways to bag a real bargain
YOU may think that you’ve bagged yourself a bargain, but how much is your flight really costing you?
Hidden fees and little add-ons can end up amounting to a lot of cash and that £20 flight may not end up being so cheap in the end.
But there are ways to keep prices from soaring – here are my five top tips.
Look for hidden costs
Social media blew up this month when two Ryanair passengers were charged £110 just to print their boarding passes at the airport.
Some airlines ask you to check in online in advance or else you will need to pay a fee.
Consider the cost of add-ons like luggage too.
Many airlines have shrunk hand luggage allowances in recent years and you’ll now need to pay to take a large cabin bag that gets placed in the overhead storage.
British Airways, however, usually lets you take an under-the-seat bag and a larger cabin bag for free.
When it comes to hold luggage – these vary in price and you could pay up to £65 per case.
So always consider the overall cost and not just the flight price.
Bring your own food
Security rules, high rent and delivery fees are all what make airport food so expensive.
If you don’t want to eat beforehand, then why not pack an airport picnic?
Completely solid food like sandwiches, crisps and fruit can all be taken through security.
Just be careful with spreads like hummus or syrup-y foods like honey and cream cheese as these count as liquids and would therefore need to comply with the 100ml liquid rule in place at most airports.
Although this rule is soon being scrapped across the UK.
If you don’t fancy bringing your own grub, airport lounges, like No.1 and Aspire, are a great option too.
You can bag access from £20 per person and this includes unlimited food, drinks and even booze.
Aspire Executive Lounge in Luton, for example, charges £37.99 for adults and £21.49 for kids aged two to 11, while tots under two go free.
Plus you’ll get a comfy seat to relax in away from the crowd.
Timing is key
Early morning flights can sometimes be more appealing, but you need to be there two hours before departure for short-haul flights and three hours before departure for long-haul flights.
And when you’re getting to the airport that early, public transport may not be running – so don’t get caught short.
Try not to travel on public transport during peak hours either as you’ll have to shell out more for your ticket.
Taxi fares are also higher if you’re travelling before 6am and after 10pm.
And if you’re grabbing a lift from friends and family, bear in mind the drop-off charges.
Some airports charge up to £7 just to enter the drop off zone for 15 minutes.
Never reserve a seat
Airlines charge a premium to pre-book your seat – and this can add up, especially if you’re travelling as a family.
Unless you need extra legroom, don’t bother!
Many airlines will automatically sit you and your group together as long as you are all under the same booking.
Just make sure you check in online as early as possible.
If you do end up being sat separately, it’s worth going to the check in desk at the airport and asking if you can be seated next to each other.
I’ve done this so many times.
The answer is often yes – and you may even be able to select a specific seat free of charge if you are one of the first to check in.
Don’t do a Joey
Remember that scene in Friends where Joey wears all of Chandler’s clothes?
Well, you may not get away with doing that at the airport if you exceed your hold baggage weight limit.
A lot of airlines, including easyJet and Ryanair, charge a fee for every kilo over the weight limit of your bag.
This fee varies per airline and destination, but it can be pricey.
I was asked to pay €15 euros kilo on a recent holiday of mine.
British Airways charges a blanket fee of £65 one way if you exceed the hold luggage allowance.
This charge is easy to avoid – just make sure to weigh your bag before you get to the airport.
You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a simple set of scales to weigh yourself without the luggage and then weigh yourself while holding the luggage.