How to plan an affordable trip

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Flying off on a family holiday may seem increasingly unaffordable, but there are methods of getting the best possible deal at a reasonable price.

Head of marketing at DirectAxis Financial Services, Marlies Kappers, says that a little research and planning can save money and take the stress out of booking your annual getaway.

According to Kappers, it is important to set a budget and match the holiday to what you’re prepared to spend instead of getting your family excited about a trip you cannot afford.

Iain Meaker of Comair’s executive commercial distribution said a little insider knowledge can go a long way to help you organise a trip that is the best value for money.

Meaker says that airlines sell the cheaper, less flexible tickets first as they will sell the quickest. The cheaper prices are generally below the cost of carriage, so the closer it is to the departure date, the more expensive tickets will become because of availability.

Meaker also advises flyers to book outside of peak seasons by avoiding travelling during school holidays.

“Airlines have incredibly sophisticated revenue-management systems to ensure they maximise their revenue on every seat. But the underlying concept is simply supply and demand. When there are more seats available and fewer people want to travel, the fares are lower and vice versa,” said Meaker.

He added that booking packaged offerings that include accommodation and car hire can also help keep costs down. In some cases, you can also pre-book holiday activities either before you depart or at your destination to make it easier to stick to your budget instead of going out on a whim.

“Besides the convenience of being able to plan and book your holiday online, you can compare destinations, accommodation, activities and prices. Use sites such as TripAdvisor to get independent reviews. By comparing offerings and others’ experiences rather than booking the first holiday that takes your fancy, you can ensure that you are getting the best holiday at the best price,” added Meaker.

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