5 tips for creating a travel financial calendar and saving on airline tickets

People who regularly pay less for airline tickets seldom make travel plans at the last minute. Rather than relying on occasional deals, many travellers now build trips into their annual financial planning, setting points-earning targets, following loyalty schemes and tracking fares well in advance.

This approach can make a meaningful difference to the budget. According to the Expedia Air Hacks Report 2025, produced in partnership with the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), booking flights ahead of time can deliver substantial savings compared with purchases made close to the departure date, particularly during high-demand periods.

For Caio Nascimento, a financial educator specialising in strategic travel management and CEO of Ugoo Viagens, a trip should be approached like any other financial goal. “People who buy a ticket only once they decide to travel have usually already missed the best opportunities. Travel needs to be part of the year’s financial planning. With a strategy in place, consumers have time to earn points, take advantage of campaigns and book tickets for far less,” he says.

The expert says that a few straightforward steps can help cut the cost of future trips, especially over long bank holiday weekends.

5 tips for creating a travel financial calendar and saving on airline tickets

1 – Plan your next trip before the current one ends

Caio says that one of the biggest mistakes is beginning to look for tickets just a few weeks before departure. “Anyone planning to travel over New Year, for instance, should start getting organised in the second half of the year. The further ahead you plan, the greater the likelihood of finding good fares or booking with miles,” he advises.

2 – Create a calendar of the year’s bank holidays

The specialist recommends reviewing the full calendar and deciding in advance which dates are genuinely worth travelling for. “When you know where you intend to go in the coming months, you can monitor prices without rushing and avoid buying impulsively when demand is already high,” he says.

3 – Use the preceding months to earn points

Rather than chasing miles when a promotion appears, the best approach is to build up a balance throughout the year. “Supermarket shopping, fuel, pharmacy purchases and other regular expenses can contribute to points accumulation when spending is organised. The strategy is not to spend more, but to make better use of what is already part of your routine,” he explains.

4 – Take advantage of transfer campaigns and loyalty schemes

The best time to book is not always the best time to transfer points. “Those who follow promotional campaigns can increase their miles balance without increasing their spending. That difference has a considerable impact when it is time to book a ticket,” he warns.

5 – Do not rely on last-minute offers

Although deals arise throughout the year, Caio warns that developing a strategy tends to produce more consistent results. “Many people expect a promotion to rescue their trip. In practice, those who save the most are usually the ones who were already prepared when the opportunity appeared,” he warns.