Casper/Natrona County International Airport is host to some of the savviest travelers in the world. With over 43,000 operations and 2,500 commercial flights every year, we know a thing or two about how to make any travel experience a good one. With all the information out there, we know it can be overwhelming finding the best deals on convenient and timely flights. C/NCIA is here to help with some tips and tricks to be an expert traveler.
Take Advantage of Google
Search engines like Google Flights can help you find the lowest fares and are set up so you can compare travel days on a calendar and see, for example, if leaving on a Thursday instead of a Friday will be better on your wallet. Typically, flying mid-week will result in the lowest fares, having flexible travel dates, and having a Saturday night stay can lead to more savings. If you are willing to be flexible with your dates and destinations, Google Travel Explore is a great tool to help find affordable flights to popular domestic and international destinations.
Despite conflicting theories on which day of the week is best to buy airline tickets, a recent study by Google found that there isn’t much value in buying your tickets on a certain day of the week. Instead, you can use certain features such as the “Track Prices” feature on Google Flights, which sends you an email to alert you when the price changes on selected flights you are interested in. This will help ensure that you can get the best deal possible without frantically searching for flights.
Book Through the Airlines
Booking directly through airlines like United and Delta can also save you money, accumulate frequent flyer credits, and get access to exclusive deals. Often you can use their “hold fare” option which, for a nominal fee, allows you to lock in a price for up to 14 days while you solidify your travel plans. If a cheaper flight becomes available, you can easily adjust your flights without accruing fees for changing or cancelling flights.
Fly Local
It’s no secret that flying local has its benefits. Not only do your flights booked locally impact the community you live in, but you avoid traveling by car to another airport, additional costs for parking and extra nights at a hotel, taking an extra travel day to simply get to an out-of-state airport, not to mention wear and tear on your vehicle, a cost that does not show up right away. When you fly with C/NCIA, we’ll make the start of any vacation easier and less stressful with close proximity to your front door, speedy security, and safe, inexpensive parking so you can truly escape reality and relax.
When it comes to being an expert traveler, a little research, early planning, and having some flexibility will land you great deals and better convenience for your next trip.
