How to Save Money on Air Travel for Your Next Vacation

[On-screen text] Be Penny Wise, Not Pound Foolish: Saving Money When You Travel

[Narrator] When you’re a Penny Wise you know a debt-free vacation, is a stress-free vacation. Smart vacation planning starts with wise air travel.

[On-screen text] Tips for Saving on Air Travel

[Narrator] When you’re a Pound Foolish, you use frequent flier miles without considering the actual cost. But Penny Wise does the math – frequent flier miles have a value of 1-2 cents and most programs require 25,000 miles as a minimum to purchase a basic ticket. So, you’d have to be Pound Foolish to use flier miles for a $100 ticket. Penny Wise only uses miles when the ticket value is more than $250, so it’s worth it.

[On-screen text] Tickets over $250-$500 are worth the miles!

[Narrator] Penny Wise also shops smart for travel credit cards and uses one with few restrictions and limitations. Pound Foolish has cards with so many restrictions that they HAVE to use their miles, even when it’s not worth the cost.

[Narrator] Pound Foolish also books the first flight they find because it’s the EXACT date and time that they want. But Penny Wise knows a flexible schedule can lead to big savings. They shop online, using aggregate sites to save money and avoid booking fees. They also check departure airport website to find airlines with discounts that need be booked directly with them. And they use consolidator websites that sell last-minute seats, too.

[On-screen text] airtech.com / airhitch.com

[Narrator] Pound Foolish misses these big discounts because they don’t like to leave at an odd date or time. Pound Foolish only flies out of the biggest, best airports like Chicago’s O’Hare or DFW in Dallas. Penny Wise uses smaller airports, like Midway and Love Field. And if they’re not familiar with an area, they search for alternate airports.