In our previous posts in this flights-for-family-travel series, we’ve discussed our recent flight purchase to Paris, case studies to Italy and Spain, resources we use, and what else to consider beyond price. In this final post of the series we outline how we might ideally put it all together.
A friend once asked us for a “top 10” steps toward family travel flight success. We love travel and lists so we gave them this:
- discuss destination(s), season, rough dates, itinerary
- consider duration, departure/arrival times, seating arrangements, etc.
- make mile check, forecast if applicable
- engage tracking tools and monitor accordingly
- subscribe to Flight Deal newsletter
- use Google flights to see what average prices look like throughout the year
- determine acceptable price range (if it goes below $900 we will consider)
- as you monitor, keep talking it over with significant other and kids
- rule out any destinations, dates (as we had to do for France here………)
- narrow down target dates (“spring break, early June, etc.)
- buy tickets(!) that fit your budget, time, and comfort requirements
- if found on The Flight Deal, we recommend buying on Priceline when you see something you’re interested in and cancelling (within 24 hours!) if you choose to keep looking
- (this is what we did when we unexpectedly saw $500 flights to Madrid in 2016
- Don’t. Look. Back.
- rates go up, they go down; don’t stress over not mastering the market
- instead, start looking for an apartment!!!
talk soon,
Dan & Betsy