Expert explains why traveling during shoulder season will save you hundreds of dollars — but you need to book your flights NOW
Those looking for a bargain should act now, experts say, as one of the cheapest travel periods of the year approaches.
Jesse Neugarten, the founder and CEO of the subscription site Dollar Flight Clubtold DailyMail.com that the ‘shoulder seasons’ are the most cost-effective times to travel. They typically refer to ‘the periods between peak and off-peak times, when destinations are less busy and travel costs are generally lower.’
She gives an example: ‘In Europe, this usually happens in late spring (April to early June) and early fall (September to October), when the weather is usually still great, but without the high prices and crowds of high season.’
To get the best deals, Neugarten recommends booking at least three months in advance. “That means if you’re looking for end-of-summer deals where you can save 30 percent, book now.”
When asked how much travelers can save, Neugarten replies that it could be as much as 25 percent.
For those looking for a bargain on their next vacation, travel experts say shoulder season is the best time to score rock-bottom prices (stock image)
The travel expert explains: ‘People can save a lot of money in the off-season.
‘At Dollar Flight Club, we’ve seen our members score deals like round-trip flights to Europe for under $400 and domestic flights within the US for just $176.
‘On average, prices are about 15 percent lower on routes from the US to Europe in the off-season, but on certain routes, such as New York to London, Paris or Barcelona, prices can be up to 25 percent lower.’
Read on for five of Neugarten’s top budget-conscious tips for scoring the best deals this coming shoulder season.
1. Plan your trip in advance
Neugarten warns that you should start looking months in advance to score early bird discounts. She recommends booking at least three months in advance.
According to data from the Dollar Flight Club, deals that travelers who book three to four months in advance often cost up to 30 percent less than those booked last minute during the off-season.
Neugarten adds: “For example, we saw members being able to book a round-trip flight from the Northeast to Europe for less than $400 during this time by booking early.”
2. Be flexible if you can
The ‘shoulder season’ varies by destination, but generally refers to the ‘periods between peak and off-peak hours’ (stock image)
“Flexibility with travel dates and destinations significantly increases the chances of finding cheaper flights,” the travel professional said.
She continues on the topic: ‘Don’t focus on one specific destination, but be open to new places that you haven’t discovered yet.
‘We’ve seen that members who are flexible with their travel dates save an average of 20 to 25 percent on flights.
‘For example, one member recently saved $350 on a flight to Italy by moving the departure date forward by just four weeks.’
3. Consider nearby airports
When it comes to flexibility, Neugarten says flying to or from a nearby airport can sometimes be significantly cheaper.
She says about this: ‘Don’t be afraid to drive a little further to another airport.
“For example, if you fly from Newark instead of JFK, you can save up to $100 on a domestic flight. On average, travelers save 10 to 15 percent on their airfare.”
4. Use rate alerts
Sign up for free flight alerts from Dollar Flight Club or use tools like Hopper.com to gain insight into optimal booking times and price drop alerts.
Neugarten reveals that Dollar Flight Club alerts “helped members find deals like a $122 round-trip ticket from NYC to LAX and a $350 round-trip ticket from the Northeast to Paris during this year’s off-peak season.”
5. Book directly with airlines
“Airlines sometimes offer exclusive deals on their websites that are not available through third-party booking sites,” Neugarten says.
In addition to booking directly with airlines, she says it’s important to “keep an eye out for points and miles deals during the off-season as you can save big.”
