Whether the rising costs of travel are being blamed on the major airlines or the federal government, there's no disputing that flying in Canada costs travellers a lot of money.
A recent survey by Flight Centre suggests some Canadians may be looking to forego rent or mortgage payments this year in order to get on the plane, but there may be some less risky options to help those planning summer trips.
Omar Kaywan, co-founder of Goose Insurance, says half of Canadians plan to travel this year, despite the rising cost of air travel and the financial pressures many are facing.
For those of you who haven't made plans yet but are thinking about a summer getaway, travel lady Leslie Keeter has some secret tips.
She says people should make sure to take advantage of any points or air miles they have accumulated, or credit cards that offer consumers companion tickets.
“That will bring costs down,” she says.
Research shows Canadians tend to accumulate and hold travel points, which Kaywan said can be a risky move.
“The value of your points can change at any time, so use them while you can,” he says.
Keeter also recommends not going for the cheapest fare, but instead booking a flexible option, so that if you find a cheaper ticket later, you don't have to go through the hassle of exchanging it.
She also warns of the difficulties of booking flights far in advance.
“Flight schedule changes happen all the time,” she says. “Airlines generally give you options, but my advice is to be prepared for any situation.”
If you're really flexible, you can even fly with little advance notice: airlines often lower prices 72 hours before a flight to fill available seats.
Summer is peak season for travel, which means prices are even higher, and Keeter says if people could cut back and travel in the off-season, it would be a lot easier on the wallet.
WATCH: WestJet plans to make travel more affordable
WestJet announced plans this week to introduce a new, cheaper fare category for travelers who want to fly without carry-on luggage.
Travellers buying the cheapest fare will not be able to place bags in the overhead bins, but will be allowed to place backpacks or handbags under the seat in front of them.
The Calgary-based airline last month introduced a fare tier called “Extended Comfort,” which gives passengers a range of perks, including priority access to overhead bins.
