Flight attendant gives tips on how to save money on flights

When I joined an airline as a flight attendant, I thought I would know all the secrets to getting the cheapest tickets. But instead, I had to collect them myself or through my colleagues. Here's the best I've learned about how to save money on a flight, shared by a former flight attendant at insider.com.

If you are flying business class, you can save money by upgrading your service class at the airport

It may seem strange, but it is more profitable to buy an economy class ticket at home and renew it at the airport. Choosing to upgrade will significantly reduce the cost of the ticket. As soon as you buy an economy seat, you will start receiving email offers to renew your ticket, but don't rush. Wait until you get to the airport and ask for an upgrade at the counter or at the gate.

Sometimes, if the plane is empty or you have a loyalty program with the airline, the check-in worker can offer you business class at no extra cost. But even if you have to pay, it will still be much cheaper than buying online.

Just be extremely polite to the staff and arrive early so that business seats are still available. But don't wait until you get on the plane—stewardesses usually don't have that kind of power.

Never waste money on bottled water at the airport

Air travel is expensive. You've already paid for your ticket, taxi, and luggage, so don't waste your money at the airport on overpriced water. You can't carry liquids through security, but no one said you can't take an empty bottle.

Most airports are full of water fountains, and many even have a special pump for filling bottles quickly. To keep your bottle full during the flight, just ask the flight attendant to refill it. If you're lucky, they might even put ice in it.

The same rule applies to food at the airport.

Often people are afraid to bring food through TSA security. But it's a great way to save money if the food is as hard as a sandwich. There are even restaurants and shops in front of security that advertise TSA approved products.

If you're flying overseas, it's best to eat any food from your first destination before landing, as some countries don't let fresh food through customs.

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Freeze liquids to avoid checking your bag

If you have more than 100 ml of liquid with you, you can freeze it to pass the security scanner. Even if the liquid melts a little on the way to the airport, it shouldn't be a problem.

You can find better deals online than in the duty free shop

Duty-free shopping always attracts passengers at the airport, but the savings there are not as great as they seem. Some airlines also have duty free catalogs on board and you can shop in the sky. But these prices are even worse. You can find much better deals online if you take the time to search.

Some days tickets are cheaper than others.

There is no perfect recipe for booking the cheapest flight. But there are a few 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 the opportunity, it's better to check different dates on the calendar instead of looking for one specific day to fly.

Prices for purchases on board are too high

Many inflight rules have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, including some airlines suspending hot meals during flights.

Try to bring some food from your home or hotel with you before boarding. Otherwise, you will have to buy scarce and overpriced snacks on board.

Parking is not profitable, especially if you are leaving for a long trip

If you live far from the airport and have a lot of luggage, self-driving might seem like the easiest option. But some people don't realize how expensive parking can be.

In New York City, airport parking can cost up to $70 per day. If you go on vacation for a week, it's already $490.

Asking family or friends for a ride is obviously the cheapest option. But a taxi is still cheaper than paying for parking, depending on the length of your trip.

If you have time to spare, another good option is to book a cheaper car park near the airport and take advantage of the shuttle service to the terminal.

It is almost never worth exchanging money at the airport

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 if you want to exchange at a good rate.

Most banks or shopping centers have currency exchange offices with more stable rates. So just take enough money for a taxi to the city and go to the local bank.

It is better to try to use the services of one airline.

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

In addition to earning miles that you can redeem later, you can also earn upgrades and lounge access with free food and beverages.