READER QUESTION:

ANY GOOD TIPS FOR SAVING ON AIRFARE?

READERS ANSWER:

We all know airfare can be very expensive, especially if you’re traveling with the family. Here are some of the best tips from Bargains to Bounty readers:

Clear your cookies (or cache or web history) after each online search for airfare, as sites will track your searches and raise prices accordingly. (Or search using a friend’s computer or internet at the library!)

If you keep looking at the same dates the prices go up. They figure you have intent to purchase. (Diana)

Statistically, Tuesdays are the cheapest days to buy. Aim for purchasing tickets 52-55 days before your departure.

Flights always are high at the beginning when they are first released and high closer to the date of travel (last minute flights) so usually around 55 days before you go is the time when they drop. (Sara)

You get good prices online around 1 to 3 am most nights. (Terryann)

Consider options for departure from other airports. Especially for international flights, it may be far cheaper to fly out of Toronto rather than Detroit. Other people have found better fares from Flint or Cleveland.

Buy directly from the ticket counter at the airport.

Go to the Spirit customer service counter at the airport. Tickets are super cheap there. (Brian)

We do this every time we fly because we have a large family. Just got tickets for us in March to Florida! Saved over $200 buying at the airport vs buying online! (Laura)

Buy gift cards first at a discount to save. If you use the Scrip fundraising program, you can buy gift cards with a rebate there. Consider other options like the occasional Meijer or Kroger kickback.

I always book Southwest and buy Southwest gift cards from Sam’s or Costco to save an extra 5% off. (Jaimie)

Contact a travel agent – and/or look into package deals when possible.

If you also need a hotel, check out Delta Vacations. I’ve gotten some awesome deals, and you reserve your spot with just $200 per person. You just have to pay the trip balance 30 days before departure. It has been the only way we can truly afford a family vacation each year. (Nicole)

Try these website and/or apps:

It seems there are new rewards apps appearing all the time – and quite a few have come and gone already. It’s difficult to keep up with all of them, so I’ve listed mobile apps that I know and trust. Many of these (especially Ibotta, Checkout 51, and SavingStar) are featured in weekly Meijer and Kroger match-ups here on Bargains to Bounty because their offers line up well with the ads.

All of the apps listed below are FREE. You can use them as little or as much as you’d like, but I’d recommend finding a few you love and using them often (as you can sometimes benefit from bonuses or higher offers)

Checkout 51

HIGHLIGHTS: Name brand items + new offers every week. Deals are new on Thursday.
WHERE to SHOP: Any store with a valid receipt
PAYOUT: $20 check mailed to your address
Learn more about Checkout 51 and sign up.

Fetch Rewards

HIGHLIGHTS: Scan receipts and earn points (25 point minimum for any grocery receipt). Kraft family food brands are rewarded additional points.
WHERE to SHOP: Any store with a valid receipt.
PAYOUT: $3 Amazon.com gift card at 3,000 points (select others); $5 gift cards as low as 5,000 points from a number of retailers and more.
Sign up for Fetch Rewards.

Ibotta

HIGHLIGHTS: Ibotta was the first major cash back grocery app. “Any brand” offers allow you to earn a rebate on any brand milk, produce, etc. Bonuses allow you to earn more by completing multiple rebates. Earn rebates at movie theaters and retail stores as well.
WHERE to SHOP: Select stores (major chain grocery, drugstores and retail locations), select online retailers
PAYOUT: PayPal or Venmo ($20+) , select gift cards ($25+)
Learn more about Ibotta (it’s my personal favorite).

SavingStar

HIGHLIGHTS: SavingStar cash back offers usually last for one month. Save on individual products or with larger amounts valid across multiple orders.
WHERE to SHOP: Select stores (major chain grocery and drugstores)
PAYOUT: $5
Learn more about SavingStar.

Shoparoo

HIGHLIGHTS: A school fundraiser app. Submit your store receipts using the Shoparoo app to support your school. Parents raised $400 last year for our school simply by snapping pictures of receipts. Easy to do and costs you nothing but time.
Note: The ReceiptHog app is related (and will benefit you, not a school) but it’s extremely slow-earning. You aren’t allowed to use both ReceiptHog and Shoparoo, so choose accordingly.

Shopkick

HIGHLIGHTS: Earn “kicks” (like points) for walking into stores and turning on the Shopkick app, scanning items in the store and more.
WHERE to SHOP: Select stores (major chain grocery, drugstores and retail)
PAYOUT: Select gift cards
Sign up for Shopkick. 

More Money-Saving Apps

Don’t forget about apps for the stores you shop: Meijer, Kroger, Fresh Thyme, Whole Foods, Target, Walmart – most stores have their own apps with digital coupons or rewards of some kind.

Other apps you may want to try:

• Box Tops for Education – Clipping Box Tops is a thing of the past. Support your school by scanning receipts and earning Box Tops on participating products.
• Flashfood – Save 50% off fresh produce, meat, dairy, seafood and bakery items approaching their best-before dates. Order and pay online, pick up at your Meijer location.
• ReceiptPal – Submit receipts, including online receipts, by forwarding them to RP.
• Receipt Hog -Take pictures of your receipts from any store, restaurant or cafe. Earn Receipt Hog rewards like coins, spins at the virtual slot machine, and sweepstakes prizes.

Did I miss an app that you love? Tell us about it in the comments!