How to save money on travel this autumn
From fiery displays of foliage to nature’s bounteous harvest, crowd-free coastlines to cities waking up from a heat haze, autumn is an enchanting time to travel. It doesn’t have to be expensive, either
15/09/2026
Words: Harriet Cooper
Whether it’s a British Airways Holidays package deal or spending your unused Avios, there are more ways to save this season than you might think – and we’ve rounded up the cleverest. After all, who says counting the pennies should mean compromise? Fall in, jet off…
What’s shoulder season (and why does it matter)?
Are you familiar with the term ‘shoulder season’? Clue: it’s not when the weather hots up and you can wear strappy tops on holiday. The phrase, coined in the 1960s, means the sweet spot between a destination’s peak-travel period (read: crowded) and its off-season (read: sleepy). It varies depending on where you’re heading, but the gist is that it’s the transitional weeks between the busyness of the summer and festive holidays, when a destination still has spirit and it’s not yet tumbleweed on the beaches and in the cocktail bars.
In Europe and the Northern Hemisphere, September and October are classic ‘shoulder months’ when you can steal a deal. With fewer travellers (it’s term time, so families are locked into the school run) there’s lower demand, so airlines, hotels and restaurants offer great prices to incentivise holidaymakers. Also, temperatures are mild rather than melting and the daylight hours are long enough, which means cafés still spill out onto pavements, the sea is warm and the sun-loungers aren’t stashed away quite yet.
Soak up the autumn warmth; go all in with a holiday from British Airways Holidays. Below: Palma, Mallorca (Artem Zhukov)
Make more of your holiday
Planning your well-deserved trip with British Airways Holidays makes perfect sense. It utilises consolidator rates and dedicated flight-fare buckets, which, in layperson’s terms, means you’ll receive built-in savings on your package deal that are better value than booking flights and hotels separately. You can also lock in your trip with a low deposit and the price won’t change, even if underlying costs do. Then there’s the opportunity to spread the remaining payments in flexible instalments, plus car hire, airport transport and even sightseeing experiences can be booked as part of the bundle. Members of The British Airways Club can also pay with Avios, collect bonus Avios and earn tier points – making your getaway even more rewarding.*
Something you can’t put a price on? Peace of mind. Packages are financially protected under ATOL, with hotels that are carefully selected from across 600 locations in 100 countries. Plus there’s a dedicated 24/7 helpline while you’re away. Welcome to your all-treats, no-tricks getaway – it is the spooky season after all!
Are you making the most of your Avios?
Whether you’ve got your heart set on soaking up the lingering sunshine in Mallorca, seeing the northern lights or leaf-peeping in Boston, use your Avios to offset costs. Collect them like a pro (there are many ways to turbocharge your balance, from shopping with more than 2,000 brands through Avios Shop to using an Avios-collecting credit card) and you could be maximising them on your autumn trip.
Perhaps you’d like to spend your Avios on part payment for a flight – any destination, in any class – or on a Reward Flight, which offers a fixed cash cost to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges, plus an Avios amount. For example, you could be flying to Europe from 10,000 Avios plus £2.50 each way, or from just 55,000 Avios plus £150 return for further afield. And if you like your journey with a fully flat bed and an icy glass of Champagne – not to mention dedicated check-in areas, priority boarding and access to our global network of lounges – spend your Avios on a cabin upgrade.
Choose the best days to travel
Once you’ve traded the summer rush for shoulder-season hush, it’s time to be strategic about exactly when and where you go. As a rule, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fly due to reduced mid-week demand (opt for a Sunday or Friday and you’ll likely be paying more, domestically and internationally). And set your alarm clock! Early morning flights are typically cheaper (as are those landing late) – plus you’ll be first in the queue for a latte at the airport.
Flexibility in terms of where you holiday can also be penny-wise. Swap the pricier, busier hotspots for a ‘destination dupe’. Instead of the lemon-scented Amalfi coast, consider the waterfront glamour of Tivat in Montenegro, for example. Or lean into the sunshine of Lefkada, one of the more affordable of the Greek islands. Bear in mind that though you might find an amazing hotel deal, flights to certain destinations can be seasonal, with many finishing in October – so check.
Don’t forget the extras
You’re flying through your travel to-do list – you’ve found a place to stay and flights that suit your needs. But before you hit ‘Book now’, think about on-the-ground logistics. Rather than sorting these ad hoc, it’s cost effective if you get organised pre-journey, spending your Avios as you go. If you’re driving to catch a flight, use your Avios to pre-book a secure airport parking spot with ParkVia (as an FYI, you can collect Avios if you use valet parking at London Heathrow airport, and also if you take the Heathrow Express). Planning a road trip? Put your Avios towards Avis and Budget car rental.
The British Airways modern design concept lounge at Miami airport (also opening image); hold those calls on holiday (Dylann Hendricks)
Other perks include using Avios to purchase a Lounge Pass to non-British Airways airport lounges across the globe, no matter what airline you’re flying with or which cabin you’re travelling in. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, opt for an Airbnb Experience (unique activities bookable via the platform that go beyond typical tours or workshops for a deeper understanding of the place) and you’ll collect Avios on that, too.
No hidden extras
All the best-laid plans… Nowhere is this truer than budgeting a holiday. The ink may be drying on your spreadsheet, but are you sure you’ve included everything? Air fare, accommodation, activities and food, yes, but beware of those sneaky extras – the unexpected phone charges, ATM fees, local tourist taxes, excess luggage fees and unfavourable conversion rates – and build in a buffer.
There are ways and means of avoiding these ‘hidden’ surprises. Select the local currency when paying abroad; switch off data roaming on your handheld device, using Wi-Fi instead; and always check the baggage allowance on flights. British Airways passengers, regardless of travel class, can bring two pieces of hand luggage for free – a cabin bag and a small personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag. Want to be sure how much to take? You can check the online calculator to see what your baggage allowance will be.
*Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
