A travel expert has shared a simple trick that could save holidaymakers a significant amount of money to spend on their holidays. It can be exasperating for those planning a holiday to spend hours trawling through flight comparison websites, adjusting dates, considering alternative airports and refreshing pages, only for the deal they were eyeing to slip away just as they’re about to pay.
Prices that seemed attractive moments ago suddenly skyrocket at checkout, leaving you questioning whether airlines are playing games with you. However, according to one travel expert, there’s an unexpectedly straightforward tactic that could help you avoid inflated fares and secure savings, and it’s something as mundane as taking a screenshot.
Andrea Platania, a travel specialist at Transfeero, stated that far too many people underestimate the worth of traditional travel agents in the quest for inexpensive flights. He also shared a tip that he said has saved him a considerable amount of money during his own travels.
He explained: “Plenty of agents promise to beat any price you find online. If you present them with a screenshot of the fare you noticed, even if that price vanishes when you actually attempt to book, many will honour it and match the deal.
“I’ve employed this strategy numerous times when travelling globally, and I’ve genuinely saved hundreds of pounds. It’s such a minor step, but it can make a substantial difference.”, reports the Mirror.
Anyone who has attempted to secure flights online understands how rapidly prices can shift.
A seat that appears reasonably priced when initially discovered can disappear within moments, substituted by a costlier option.
There are several factors behind this phenomenon, which causes exasperation amongst prospective passengers.
Occasionally it’s due to demand, sometimes it’s because the airline’s pricing mechanism is updating.
That’s where screenshots prove invaluable.
By documenting the lower cost in black and white, consumers are essentially making airlines and booking platforms answerable.
It provides travellers with evidence of what they witnessed and numerous travel agents, eager to secure your custom, are frequently more than willing to reserve your seat at that price.
Andrea also highlighted that travel agents can occasionally offer additional benefits beyond merely matching a tariff.
“You’ll often find they can help with better baggage deals or include things like seat selection, which online booking systems will charge extra for,” he added.
Another suggestion he has for shrewd holidaymakers is to steer clear of reserving flights late in the evening following an extended search period.
“When you’re tired, you’re more likely to panic-buy at the wrong price,” Andrea said.
He advised taking a pause, returning to the search afterwards and utilising screenshots to retain the finest deals to prevent you from overspending on your dream getaway. In an era when most holidaymakers believe booking directly online guarantees the best deals, the suggestion to consult travel agents might appear old-fashioned.
Nevertheless, Andrea maintains it’s precisely this misunderstanding that benefits travellers.
“Agents want to prove their value, and they’ll do what they can to make sure you don’t walk away,” the travel expert said.