The Secret Discount: How to Save 20% to 60% on Your Next Flight
Published by Rick Seaney on November 13, 2012
There is no such thing as a free lunch but there are discounts if you only know where to look. Sadly, one particular discount is a secret to most people, which is a shame since it can range from 20% to 60% off.
Secret Discount Revealed
Why is it a secret? It's simply never advertised as such, probably because airlines believe most people don't want this discount – and some won't. It all depends on what you're willing to endure while traveling since the secret is all about the difference in airfare prices between non-stops and connecting flights.
Non-stops – Paying a Premium for Convenience
Connecting flights – or multi-leg trips – can be significantly cheaper than non-stops typically on longer-haul flights and this is despite the fact that airline ticket fees for a one-stop round-trip flight are $21 more than a non-stop. In effect you pay a premium for the convenience factor of a direct flight. If you don't mind making a stop or two, you can usually save big.
How to Avoid the 5 Airline Gotchas
See for Yourself – Difference in Airfare Prices
The following examples were found over the weekend for departures during the first week in December on a 7-night round-trip flight (prices include all taxes and fees):
Boston to Los Angeles – 42% premium for non-stop
- Non-stop airfare: $356
- Connecting flight: $250
Chicago to Atlanta – 52% premium for non-stop
- Non-stop airfare: $220
- Connecting flight: $144
Washington D.C to Denver – 22% premium for non-stop
- Non-stop airfare: $296
- Connecting flight: $242
New York to Tampa – 25% premium for non-stop
- Non-stop airfare: $180
- Connecting flight: $144
