Over the weekend, Brian and I were asked how we manage to consistently travel on a budget. Our strategy is pretty straightforward; we mainly travel if and when we find deals. There’s no big secret to our approach—it’s all a matter of staying flexible and being willing to compromise! Sure, we’ll take advantage of loyalty programs when they work in our favor, but we definitely don’t tie ourselves down to any specific brand. In fact, one of the best ways to cut flight costs is to consider alternative airlines, particularly low-cost carriers.
Brand loyalty doesn’t always pay off
We illustrated our savings by sharing an example of a recently booked roundtrip flight to Hawaii. Instead of flying a single airline with layovers, we opted to purchase four one-way tickets from four different airlines and incorporate longer layovers to make them a part of our trip. Even though this decision extended our trip, it ended up saving us hundreds of dollars!
We booked free hotel nights during our layovers, used our favorite budget airline hack to purchase discounted Spirit and Frontier tickets, and picked up affordable tickets through Alaska Airlines and Southwest. With careful planning and strategic booking, we will be able to enjoy a longer trip, visit with friends, and save some money!
Our friend responded, “Wow, you guys really don’t care who you fly with!” And honestly, she’s right—we truly don’t. She flies Delta any chance she gets, as do several people we know. Brian and I have learned that brand loyalty doesn’t pay off for us, especially when we consider Delta flights! They tend to be twice as expensive as other choices, if not more.
Why spend so much when all we really care about is reaching our destination safely?
Airline struggles
Every company is bound to face problems as they grow, take on new routes, and navigate staffing shortages. Add to that the ever-changing landscape of customer expectations and technological advancements, and the airline industry will inevitably experience disruptions to existing systems and operational efficiency.
Such was the case for Southwest Airlines in December 2022, when the airline faced a massive operational crisis that resulted in 16,900 flight cancellations, leaving 2 million passengers stranded. Recently, Delta Airlines faced similar challenges, making headlines for its difficulties in managing the CrowdStrike outage, which caused 7,000 flight cancellations and stranded passengers for up to 5 days.
What a mess! In these circumstances, many passengers remained with the airline, waiting for a flight. Some elected to receive a refund and rebook with different airlines, while others snagged rental cars and bus tickets to reach their destinations.
It’s reasonable to give an airline the benefit of the doubt regarding a single delay or cancellation. However, when you’re dealing with a series of them, I think it’s time to resort to Plan B and maybe even Plan C! If you can and want to wait out airline struggles, then more power to you. If not, then I believe it’s time to take control of the situation!
Diversification
Loyalty didn’t help the myriad of passengers left stranded in the examples above. In reality, loyalty is rarely beneficial when corporate policies and issues overshadow individual needs. Thus, when an individual chooses to limit themselves to a specific brand, they are actually exposing themselves to greater risk, as they forfeit the opportunity to seek better options elsewhere.
Diversification minimizes risk, much like it does in an investment portfolio. Instead of trusting the success of a single brand, consumers can and should experience a variety of options from different brands. This approach creates a safety net that reduces disappointment and tends to offer a more stable outcome.
A diversified airline portfolio, or willingness to try other airline options, allows travelers the flexibility to switch carriers based on fluctuating prices, promotional deals, and even customer service experiences. Non-loyal customers drive market competition and encourage improved services, ultimately benefiting all travelers!
Why should we roll over and accept ho-hum service and inflexible fares? Just because it’s familiar or comfortable? Let’s think outside of the box! I, for one, like shaking things up; it keeps things interesting.
Truthfully, the more passengers explore their options, the better prepared they will be to face the unpredictable challenges of air travel, helping them get to where they want, when they want, and hopefully without negative attitudes. That’s a win for all of us.
A Vigilant Approach
When we spend our time and money on a service, we expect a level of quality and reliability that is worth our investment. It should be a mutually beneficial exchange of patronage and support for services rendered. Unfortunately, many industry providers, including airlines, fall short of these expectations.
Instead of accepting the status quo of
- Numerous delayed and cancelled flights
- Poor customer service
- Devalued loyalty programs
- Inconsistent and inadequate compensation policies
- Poor communication and lack of transparency during crises
- Blindly trusting airline assurances (especially after multiple disruptions)
It’s important to remind ourselves to remain vigilant. After all, when push comes to shove, it’s pretty clear that the airline generally only cares about their bottom line. They have no real allegiance to us as individuals trying to reach our destinations. Though I find that terribly frustrating seeing that we’re the ones generating profit for them, but that’s another converation for another time!
I’m not suggesting we jump ship from a brand at the first sign of trouble, but it’s wise to prepare in case plans change. Giving the benefit of the doubt is only reasonable when there’s clear evidence of accountability and a genuine effort of positive change, and while it’s nice to think our favorite companies have our backs, it’s just not the case!
Switching airlines can lower costs, alleviate travel disruptions, minimize risks, and present travelers with alternative routes and services. It’s how Brian and I travel affordably and still have the ability to spontaneously change our itinerary.
Do you make a habit of switching airlines? Why or why not?
