10 things airport passengers should stop wasting money on, according to a former flight attendant

• I worked as a flight attendant for two years and picked up tips for saving money while traveling.
• Don’t waste your money on food and water at the airport or the overpriced snacks on the plane. 
• You’ll save more if you stick with the same airline and buy flights in the middle of the week.

When I joined the airline industry as a flight attendant, I thought we’d learn all the secrets for getting the cheapest tickets. But I had to pick them up myself or through my colleagues.

Here are some of the best tips I’ve learned for saving money while flying:

If you fly business class, you can usually save by waiting to upgrade at the airport

It might sound strange, but I always advise people to purchase an economy ticket at home and upgrade it at the airport.

Opting for an upgrade will drastically reduce the price of the ticket.

As soon as you purchase your economy seat, you may start receiving email deals to upgrade your ticket, but don’t rush. Wait until you get to the airport and ask for an upgrade at the counter or the gate.

Sometimes, if the plane is empty, or you have a loyalty program with the airline, the gate agent can upgrade you to business class at no additional cost. But even if you have to pay, it’s going to be much cheaper than buying online.

Just be extremely nice to the staff, and arrive early so business seats are still available. But don’t wait until you get on the plane — flight attendants don’t usually have that much power.

Never waste money on bottled water at the airport

Duty-free shops always attract passengers at the airport, but the savings aren’t as good as they seem. Some airlines also have duty-free catalogs on board so you can shop in the skies. But those prices are even worse.

You can find much better deals online if you take the time to look.

Some days have cheaper tickets than others

There’s no perfect recipe for booking the cheapest flight. But there are some tips that can help you stick to your budget.

The best days to buy tickets are Tuesday and Wednesday because prices tend to drop after and before the weekend.

If you have some flexibility, it’s also better to check out different dates on the calendar instead of looking for a specific day to fly.

Onboard purchases are overpriced

Too often, people land at an international airport and realize they don’t have the right currency. But the airport is the worst place to exchange your money if you want a good rate.

Most banks or shopping malls have currency exchanges with steadier rates if you remember before your flight. And if you forget, just get enough money for a taxi into the city and go to a local bank.

It pays to stay loyal to one airline

It’s always a better idea to stick with one airline or group of airlines and open a bonus card with them.

In addition to collecting miles you can use on a later flight, you can also get free checked bags, upgrades, and access to lounges with free food and drinks.

This story was originally published in March 2022 and most recently updated on August 15, 2024.