Summer Vacation on a Budget: 8 Money-Saving Travel Hacks on Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue

After a long winter, we’re all ready to escape to sunnier skies and warmer weather. But before you book those flights, make sure you’re getting the best deals possible. As a savvy traveler, I’ve learned a thing or two about scoring affordable flights on Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue. Here are my top 8 money-saving travel hacks to get you started.

Southwest Airlines

One of the best ways to save on Southwest is to keep an eye on price drops after you purchase your ticket. Set up an alert, and if the fare goes down, you’ll get a refund in the original form of payment. And if you booked online, simply go to “Change Reservation” and follow the prompts to get the difference refunded. If you booked by phone, just call their agents to secure your refund.

Southwest Airlines

But when’s the best time to book? Tuesdays around 3 p.m. are your best bet, as that’s when Southwest’s “Click N Save” emails go out. Deals usually sell out by Thursday, so be on the lookout for those special fares.

And let’s talk about boarding. To avoid paying the $50 upgrade fee and still getting a decent seat, log in exactly 24 hours before your flight takes off. Trust me, it’s worth the early wake-up call.

Spirit Airlines

When you book on Spirit, remember that you get what you pay for – rock-bottom prices, but extras will cost you. To keep costs low, expect to be nickel-and-dimed along the way. Did you know the cheapest way to buy your ticket is at the airport? But let’s be real, it’s not worth the extra trip. Booking online is your best bet.

Spirit Airlines

To save even more, do as much as you can at home before you leave for the airport. Check in, print your boarding pass, and pay for extra luggage online to avoid tiered rates. And don’t forget to BYO-everything – snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Freeze your favorite drinks from home, and download your shows and movies for the flight.

JetBlue

TrueBlue travelers, rejoice! You can expect to pay more for your flights, but you’ll get free snacks, wifi, and a vast selection of inflight entertainment. But don’t worry, there are still ways to save. Keep an eye out for JetBlue’s flash winter sales on social media, where you can snag one-way flights under $50. If you miss the sale, you can still find the best fares directly on JetBlue’s website. And if you see a better deal elsewhere, JetBlue guarantees a $100 credit.

JetBlue

And here’s a pro tip: connect your Lyft and JetBlue accounts to earn even more reward points. New to Lyft? You’ll get a signup bonus of up to 750 TrueBlue points and $15 off your first ride. Already a Lyft user? You’ll earn 30 points each time you use Lyft to and from the airport.

So, what are your top money-saving travel hacks? Share them with me in the comments below!