6 Flight Booking Habits That Cost You More During Festival Travel
Festival season in India brings joy, family reunions, and… expensive air tickets. Whether it’s Diwali, Christmas, or long weekends packed with celebrations, flight prices tend to surge rapidly. Many travelers unknowingly follow habits that push fares even higher than necessary. If you want to travel smart and keep your budget intact, it’s time to identify and fix these costly mistakes.
Below are six common flight booking habits that can drain your wallet during festival travel—and how to avoid them.
1. Booking Flights at the Last Minute
Why This Habit Is Costly
Festival travel demand spikes sharply, especially on popular routes. Airlines use dynamic pricing, which means fares rise as seats fill up. Waiting until the last minute often leaves you with limited options and premium prices.
Smarter Alternative
Plan your travel dates early and start tracking prices at least 6–8 weeks in advance. For routes like pune to bangalore by air, fares tend to increase drastically as festivals approach due to business and leisure traffic.
2. Ignoring Flexible Travel Dates
Fixed Dates = Higher Fares
Most travelers search for flights on exact festival dates, which are usually the most expensive days to fly. This lack of flexibility can cost you thousands.
How Flexibility Saves Money
Flying a day earlier or later—especially mid-week—can significantly reduce airfare. Even shifting departure time from morning to late night can make a noticeable difference during peak seasons.
3. Not Comparing Multiple Booking Platforms
One Website, One Price Trap
Relying on a single booking platform limits your exposure to better deals, bundled offers, or exclusive discounts.
What You Should Do Instead
Always compare prices across trusted platforms. Some platforms also provide price alerts, festival offers, or combo deals on flights and hotels. Many travelers save more by checking curated travel deals from platforms like vootholidays, especially during festive rush periods.
4. Skipping Incognito Mode or Cookies Reset
How Browsing History Affects Prices
Repeated searches for the same route can trigger price increases due to cookies and cached data. This makes it appear as if fares are rising faster than they actually are.
Simple Fix
Search flights in incognito/private browsing mode or clear your cookies before checking prices again. This helps you see more neutral pricing and avoid artificial fare hikes.
5. Choosing Convenience Over Cost
Direct Flights Aren’t Always the Best Deal
While direct flights save time, they’re often priced higher during festivals. Many travelers automatically select the fastest option without checking alternatives.
Balance Time and Budget
Consider short layovers if they offer substantial savings. On busy routes like pune to bangalore by air, connecting flights during festival seasons can sometimes be significantly cheaper than direct ones.
6. Ignoring Bundled Deals and Loyalty Benefits
Missing Out on Hidden Savings
Many travelers book flights alone without considering bundled packages or loyalty points. This habit leads to missed discounts and extra expenses later.
Maximize Your Benefits
Look for flight + hotel packages or seasonal festival deals. Platforms like vootholidays often curate such offers to help travelers save more during peak travel periods. Also, don’t forget to redeem airline miles, credit card points, or festival promo codes.
Bonus Tip: Avoid Peak Booking Hours
Timing Matters
Most people book flights during lunch breaks or evenings. High traffic during these hours can result in slightly inflated prices.
Try This Instead
Search and book flights early in the morning or late at night when demand is relatively lower. Over time, this small habit can lead to consistent savings, especially for frequent travelers.
Final Thoughts
Festival travel doesn’t have to mean overpaying for flights. By breaking these six habits and adopting smarter booking strategies, you can enjoy the celebrations without stressing about inflated fares. Planning ahead, staying flexible, comparing platforms, and using the right tools can make a big difference.
If you frequently travel on routes like pune to bangalore by air, being proactive during festival seasons is especially important. With the right approach and a bit of awareness, you can celebrate more and spend less—just the way festive travel should be.