A travel writer reveals a simple TUI booking trick that can reveal return flights from as low as £30, plus tips on flexibility, regional airports and an automatic £40 per person discount on selected future travel.
Travel budgets are under pressure for many households, and finding lower-cost ways to fly has become a priority. A booking technique shared by a senior TUI executive shows how routinely checking the airline’s dedicated deals can surface deeply discounted return fares—even in the weeks immediately before departure.
With a bit of flexibility and awareness, travellers can turn last-minute availability into real savings.
This article explains how the approach works, where to look, and the kinds of offers currently appearing. It also outlines why being flexible with dates and departure airports matters and highlights an additional promotional discount that applies to a range of future travel dates.
How the TUI discounted-flight approach works
TUI releases unsold seats at reduced prices on a Cheap Flights page when planes still have capacity. These releases are intended to fill remaining seats and often appear in the weeks and months prior to departure.
By checking the page regularly, travellers can identify short-notice bargains ranging from short European breaks to long-haul itineraries.
The mechanism is straightforward: as departure approaches, the airline assesses inventory and may apply steep markdowns to avoid flying with empty seats. For consumers this translates into opportunities to buy return tickets for a fraction of the usual cost. This is particularly effective if you can depart from one of the many regional airports TUI serves across the UK.
Why flexibility matters
Flexibility is the single most important variable when chasing these fares. Being open about departure dates, destination choices and which regional airport you use increases the chance of finding the lowest prices. The deals are most accessible to travellers who are willing to adapt plans on short notice and fly from any convenient airport among the operator’s network.
Types of deals you can expect
The discount releases cover a broad spectrum: last-minute short breaks, week-long getaways, and even two-week long-haul holidays. Destinations on offer run from popular Mediterranean islands to Caribbean beach resorts and Mexico. Because availability fluctuates, checking the airline’s deals page frequently is essential for catching the best prices.
Below are examples of fares that have appeared via this method. These specific instances show the range of price points and destinations that can surface when seats are discounted:
Sample bargain fares currently highlighted
Examples of return fare deals include: Seven nights in Palma de Mallorca with return flights from London Gatwick from £30 per person (1 July to 8 July). Seven nights in Faro, Portugal, with return flights from Cardiff Airport from £72 per person (2 Jul to 9 Jul). Seven nights in Ibiza with return flights from London Stansted from £63 per person (1 July to 8 July). Seven nights in Agadir, Morocco, with return flights from Newcastle from £66 per person (8 June to 15 June). Seven nights in Tenerife with return flights from London Gatwick from £82 per person (6 June July to 13 July). Fourteen nights in Cancun, Mexico, with return flights from Manchester from £350 per person (7 June to 21 June). Fourteen nights in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with return flights from Manchester from £350 per person (6 June to 20 June).
These sample fares illustrate how discounts can apply from very low short-haul rates to reduced-cost long-haul packages. Availability and prices change quickly, so the examples are intended as illustration rather than guaranteed offers.
Practical tips for booking and saving more
To maximise the chance of success, follow a few simple steps. First, monitor the Cheap Flights or offers page regularly—daily checks increase your odds of spotting new markdowns. Second, be prepared to book quickly; sharply discounted seats can disappear within hours. Third, consider multiple nearby airports: flying from a regional airport may cut costs significantly. Finally, weigh flexibility in travel dates; shifting your trip by a day or two can unlock better fares.
Additional promotional saving
Beyond last-minute releases, TUI has a broader promotional incentive that may apply. For flights departing between July 2026 and April 2027, customers can receive an automatic £40 off per person, making it easier to lock in discounted prices for travel later in the year. Combining that reduction with opportunistic seat releases can produce meaningful total savings.
In summary, taking advantage of these releases requires a mix of vigilance and flexibility. Use the airline’s dedicated deals page, be ready to act quickly when you spot a fare that matches your needs, and consider the wider seasonal discount to plan longer-range trips. With these tactics, it is possible to transform modest budgets into memorable trips without sacrificing destination quality.
