Why Buying Tickets At The Airport Could Score You A Deal

Budget-conscious travelers who have the flexibility to fly when it's cheapest will rejoice with this amazing travel hack that not many think of. Even when paying for airline tickets, there are often extra fees for booking online or even booking over the phone. But if you purchase your tickets at the airport (the old-fashioned way) you can cut down on unnecessary costs, allowing you to spend your hard-earned money at your destination rather than on hidden fees.

But you need to be flexible to head to the airport and wait until there's a suitable flight available. This strategy is best for backpackers on an extended trip with time to spare, slow travelers, or digital nomads and remote workers who can be productive at the airport, but anyone with an adventurous spirit can give it a try. Your best bet is to check with budget airlines because some, such as Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, Wizz , and Jetstar tend to add online payment fees — often called "passenger usage charges" or "online booking fees" — that quickly add up for travelers purchasing tickets online. These fees can be between $18-$25 per flight, making booking at the airport an excellent option to save a few bucks.

To make the most out of this strategy, it's best to do some research in advance to compare ticket prices, find the best price for your flight, and identify whether the price you're quoted at the airport is reasonable. You can also reference the online booking platform when you're at the ticket counter to make sure you're getting the best deal. Also, it is best to plan your visit during off-peak hours to avoid long lines at ticket offices at the airport. You can usually avoid this by going early in the morning or late when the airport is less crowded. 

If you're looking at booking a flight with a regular carrier rather than a budget airline, you don't have to worry about these hidden online fees. Major U.S. airlines like United, Delta, and Alaska, don't charge passengers more for booking online. However, some global airlines still charge a credit card fee depending on your route — usually no more than 2%.

Keep in mind that if you're doing this for a last-minute adventure, the money you save on online booking fees may balance out with the higher expenses associated with your trip. Last-minute accommodation can be expensive and flight prices fluctuate based on demand. So even if you're saving $20 on service fees, you may end up paying more for the flight overall than if you'd booked a few months in advance. You can save a lot of money buying domestic flights at the right time.