Choosing a flight ticket based solely on the lowest price may not always be the most cost-effective option, travel and aviation experts said, noting that the true cost of a flight can only be determined after factoring in baggage, seat selection, additional services, and fees for changing or cancelling a booking.
They explained that there are situations in which the “highest-priced ticket” at the time of booking can be more economical than the “lowest-priced ticket”. They noted that the most common mistake travellers make is focusing on the first price displayed during the booking process without checking what is actually included in that fare.
They urged passengers to consider the possibility of cancelling a trip when purchasing tickets, noting that the cheapest ticket is not necessarily the most economical if it does not offer any refund options.
They also cautioned travellers about baggage allowances, explaining that paying more upfront for a ticket that includes the required baggage may be more cost-effective than buying a cheaper ticket and adding baggage later at an extra charge. They added that basic ticket classes often do not allow changes or modifications, meaning passengers must pay both a change fee and any fare difference.
The most common mistake
Salah Mansoor, managing director of STS at DubaiLink Group, said: “The most common mistake travellers make is to look at the first number that appears on the booking screen when viewing airfares, without actually checking what that price contains.”
“When a traveller sees a flight ticket for Dh1,200 and another for Dh1,500, they automatically tend to choose the cheaper option. However, the correct comparison is not just between the two prices, but between what the traveller gets for each fare and what they may have to pay later,” he told Emirates Today, pointing out that a family travelling with children and wanting to sit together is one of the most common situations in which a higher-priced ticket may prove more economical.
“A family of four, for example, may find a low-priced ticket, only to discover that selecting seats requires an additional fee. When the cost of seat selection is multiplied by the number of family members, the difference between the lowest and highest fare categories may become minimal, or the savings from the cheaper ticket may disappear altogether.”
He added: “Travellers should ask themselves before booking whether they need to choose seats, whether they are travelling with children, and whether it is important to sit together. If the answer is yes, then the cost of this service should be included when comparing ticket prices.”
Mansoor pointed out that the possibility of cancelling a trip is a “second case” that travellers should always consider. He said: “The lowest-priced ticket is not necessarily the cheapest if there is a chance of not travelling. A traveller may pay less initially but lose the entire amount if the trip is cancelled, while a higher-priced ticket may be refundable, provide travel credit, or offer compensation according to the airline’s terms and policies.”
Mansoor stressed that choosing the lowest-priced ticket without reading the conditions attached to it and assessing actual travel needs could turn expected savings into a loss. He explained that travellers may lose the full value of a non-refundable ticket if they are forced to cancel their trip, or end up paying additional amounts that exceed the original savings through charges for changing dates, adding baggage, or selecting seats.
Baggage weight
Sherif Al Farm, CEO of Sharif House Travel and Tourism, said: “Travellers should pay close attention to baggage allowances,” noting that “the difference in ticket prices is often closely linked to the baggage weight included in each fare category.”
“A passenger travelling with only hand luggage may genuinely benefit from a lower-priced ticket, but the situation is very different for someone travelling with one or two checked bags, or for a family carrying a larger number of bags.”
He said that some airline fare categories do not include checked baggage, while others include allowances of 20kg or 30kg, depending on the route and fare conditions, with the baggage cost built into the ticket price.
“Travellers should calculate the final cost of the ticket before making a decision, rather than relying on the price shown at the start of the search process. Sometimes, paying more upfront for the baggage allowance they need is more economical than buying a cheaper ticket and adding baggage later at an extra cost.”
He added: “One situation that can make a higher-priced ticket more economical is when travellers purchase a low-cost fare and then begin adding services separately, such as baggage, seat selection, meals and other extras. In such cases, the total cost can exceed that of buying a more comprehensive fare package from the outset,” noting that this is a common scenario among travellers.
He explained that when changing a travel date, passengers may have to pay a modification fee in addition to any fare difference, only to discover that the total amount paid far exceeds the money initially saved on the ticket.
Flight schedule changes
In the same context, Narouz Sarkis, general manager of Balhasa Tourism Company, said that the possibility of changing travel dates is another situation that can make a higher-priced airline ticket more practical.
“There are travellers who know in advance that their schedules are not fixed, yet they still choose the cheapest fare because they want to save money at the time of booking. They may later end up paying much more if they need to change their flight,” he said.
He added that flexibility has financial value, even if it is never used. “For travellers who believe there is a high likelihood that their travel plans may change, it makes sense to compare the cost of a flexible ticket with the combined cost of a lower-priced fare, a change fee, and any fare difference.”
Sarkis advised travellers with uncertain business meetings or commitments not to view flexible booking options as a secondary consideration, but as part of the overall value of the ticket.
“Higher fare categories do not always mean better value, but they may be the better choice for a particular traveller with specific needs.”
