With the cost of living being the biggest concern for Brits, many people are cutting back on holidays due to rising prices for essentials.

But with many people still seeing holidays as an important part of their lives a former air stewardess has shared her advice so people can still enjoy that all-important break. You can still get great deals if they follow some simple rules.

We have seen a fair amount of belt-tightening as the cost of living is still impacting many people but that doesn’t mean people should miss out on a holiday.

As someone who worked for British Airways for many years, I understand the industry and there are ways to make a holiday more affordable.

The trick is to avoid peak periods and think like the airline when it comes to charging the highest prices.

But could be the opportunity to stray off the beaten track and look at alternative destinations or surprise packages to get the best value for money.

Here are my top tips for securing that great value getaway:

Book timely or book last minute

Domestic flights can be booked 3 to 8 weeks before departure and international flights two to four months ahead. The usual rule, particularly if you have a certain destination in mind, is the sooner you can book them, the better.

For peak seasons it’s best to book even further ahead but you could try to bag a last-minute deal.

Or how about a secret holiday - where you don’t know where you are going until you have paid for it? Do a search on your chosen travel provider website to see what you can discover.


Be flexible time wise

Most people want to travel on a Friday or Sunday so if you were the airline, you’d make those the most expensive flights.

So in order to get the best deal, opt for a midweek flight or one at unsociable hours. The landing slots will be cheaper at these times so the airline can afford to make this better value, too.

Be flexible with choice of airport

If you want to fly from London Heathrow, you’re going to pay more. This is because it is the main battleground for all the international airlines so the price they pay the airport for their particular slot is higher. Oman Air, for example, paid $75 million for a single slot in 2016 – and that price is passed onto passengers.

If you want a cheaper flight, it’s definitely worth looking at alternative airports both in the UK and at your destination. It may require a little more travelling but the difference in the price of your ticket could be considerable.

Do your research

Make sure you compare the difference prices of flights on comparison websites such as Google Flights and Skyscanner.

But when you’ve found the best price, make sure you book directly with the airline. Granted, this is not necessarily cheaper it is a much savvier option as if issues do arise as you don’t need to try and sort them out via a third party website.

Mix and match your airlines

Just as with rail journeys, split tickets can be cheaper than returns. For the sake of a bit of admin, you could save yourself a substantial amount.

Use your reward points

Along with loyalty points, you can accrue airmiles from all sorts of schemes. If you really want to go abroad, particularly long haul, it’s worth checking to see if credit cards or loyalty schemes like supermarket cards have a system where you can exchange points for air miles or discount vouchers. That way, you don’t need to build them up on travel websites or by being a frequent flier but with everyday purchases.

Beware of hidden fees

On November 10, 1995, the first ever easyJet flight took off from Luton Airport to Glasgow, with tickets selling for just £29 but these days you’re unlikely to get any flight for that price. Chances are, if the promotional price does look too good to be true, it’s going to come with hidden fees. Always calculate non-mandatory charges such as fast track boarding, seat selections, luggage, food and drink.

Travel with hand baggage only

It is possible to get away with travelling solely with hand luggage as long as you pack smart.

Use travel roll storage bags and stick with ‘go with everything’ colours or capsule wardrobes.

You can also take extra canvas bags, buy airport travel toiletries and lay on the layers. Make sure you check baggage requirements for your specific airline to avoid incurring extra charges for excess baggage.

Don’t pay for seat allocations

Unless you’re travelling in a group where you really need to sit together, don’t pay to pick your seats in advance. Most systems will try to seat groups on the same booking.

If you check in early enough you should be able to get seats together without paying extra, so set an alarm on your phone for the moment check in opens.

If you don’t mind where you sit, there’s no need to pay to pre-book.
Some fares include free seat reservations or allow you to choose your seat at the time of booking.

Read T’s and C’s carefully

In order to avoid being stung by unexpected extra fees, do your research before you book. This information should be readily available and easy to access.

Make sure you understand what potential additional costs you may face for unforeseen eventualities.

For long-haul flights in particular, find out what the offering is for food and drink so you can take your own snacks if necessary.

Our consumer expert Jane Hawkes, runs the https://ladyjaney.co.uk consumer advice website