Hey there fellow travel enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, you’re probably always on the lookout for the best flight deals. There’s nothing better than nabbing a bargain and setting off on a new adventure. Plus, when you save on flights, you have more to spend on unique dining experiences, boutique accommodations, and exciting activities when you reach your destination.
1. The Early Bird Catches the Flight Deal
You know what they say, “the early bird catches the worm” – well, in our case, it’s more like “the early bird catches the flight deal”. The key to finding affordable flights is planning your trip well in advance. But how far ahead should you book? According to Skyscanner’s “Best Time to Book” tool, you can save up to 25% if you book your flight 5 months in advance.
Sure, it might require a bit of foresight, but the savings are worth it. Take it from me – I once scored a roundtrip ticket from Los Angeles to Barcelona for just $350 by planning ahead and keeping an eye on flight prices.
2. Flexibility: Your Ticket to Cheaper Travel
Flexible travel dates and times can often be your passport to cheap air travel. Mid-week and late-night flights can be significantly cheaper than weekend or peak-hour flights.
If you’re like me and love a good deal, sometimes an impromptu trip is just the ticket. Last year, I decided to take a last-minute trip to Mexico City, one of my favorite places to visit in Central America. By choosing to fly out on a Tuesday night instead of a Friday evening, I was able to save nearly $100 on my flight – money that I put towards a fantastic meal at Pujol, one of the best restaurants in the city. Dinner and drinks came to around $75, which is a bit of a splurge, but totally worth it for the memorable experience.
3. Take the Road Less Traveled: Alternative Airports
Flying in and out of less popular airports can result in significant savings, and often these airports are just as convenient. For example, if you’re heading to New York, consider flying into Newark Liberty International instead of JFK.
In my travels, I’ve found AlternateAirports.com to be a handy resource. It’s a great tool that helps you explore options you might not have considered. Remember, every penny saved on flights is a penny you can spend on making your trip unforgettable!
4. Harness the Power of Flight Search Engines
When it comes to finding discounted flight tickets, flight search engines are your best friend. Some of my personal favorites include Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights, and Kayak.
Each has its own set of features that make it unique. Skyscanner, for instance, allows you to view the cheapest days to fly in a given month, while Google Flights has a feature that suggests alternative destinations that could save you money. A round trip from Los Angeles to Bangkok in November, for instance, could set you back around $650 on Skyscanner.
Momondo is fantastic for its ‘Flight Insight’ feature, which provides details about how factors such as days to departure and time of booking can impact ticket prices. For instance, it might suggest that booking 60 days in advance could save you up to 10% on your fare.
It’s worth spending some time exploring these sites and seeing which one works best for your needs. Remember, each has a slightly different way of sourcing their deals, so make sure to compare before you book.
5. Social Media: A Hidden Goldmine for Budget Airlines
Did you know that some of the best flight deals can be found on social media? Airlines occasionally post flash deals or exclusive discounts on their Twitter or Facebook pages. I’d suggest following airlines like Southwest Airlines and JetBlue – they often have great deals that can save you some serious coin.
For example, Southwest regularly runs sales where you can nab flights for as low as $49 one-way. However, these deals are often limited and sell out quickly, so make sure to act fast when you see them!
6. Stay in the Loop with Airline Newsletters
In addition to social media, airlines also share exclusive deals with those subscribed to their newsletters. You might be thinking, “Not another email in my inbox!” but trust me, it can pay off.
To give you an idea, I once got a roundtrip flight from San Francisco to Tokyo for $450 by catching a deal in a Delta Airlines newsletter. Not bad, right? So take a few minutes to sign up – your future self (and wallet) will thank you.
7. Fly High with Budget Airlines
Budget airlines are an excellent option for finding economical flight deals. Sure, you might have to forgo some luxuries, but the savings can make it worth it. Airlines like Southwest in the U.S., Ryanair in Europe, and AirAsia in Asia often offer significantly cheaper tickets than their full-service counterparts.
Take my word for it, I once got a ticket from Berlin to London on Ryanair for just $20. That’s less than what most people spend on lunch! Just remember, these airlines often charge for extras like checked luggage and onboard meals, so pack light and bring a snack to keep costs down.
8. Soar with Airline Reward Programs
If you’re a frequent flyer, airline reward programs and credit card points can be your ticket to cheaper or even free flights. Each time you fly, you earn points which you can later redeem for flights or upgrades.
I can’t tell you how many times my frequent flyer points have come in handy. One of the most memorable times was when I snagged a Business Class upgrade on a long-haul flight from Chicago to Beijing. The cost? Absolutely nothing, thanks to my accrued miles. It’s an experience that would typically cost around $3000, but it didn’t cost me a dime.
9. Embrace the Layover: Connecting Flights Can Be Cheaper
Flights with layovers can often be cheaper than direct flights. Plus, they can sometimes give you a chance to explore an additional city. Remember, though, that longer layovers can sometimes lead to higher expenses in the transit city, so always factor that into your budget.
I’ll never forget the time I chose a flight with a 24-hour layover in Istanbul on my way to India. Not only did I save around $200 on the flight, but I also got to spend a day exploring Istanbul’s historic sites and amazing food scene. It felt like two trips for the price of one!
10. Watch Out for Sneaky Additional Fees
Lastly, when you’re on the hunt for the best flight deals, remember to always check for additional costs that might sneak up on you. These can include baggage fees, seat selection fees, and meal fees. What might initially seem like a great deal could turn out to be not so great when you add up all the extra costs.
Let’s say you’ve found an incredible deal for a $200 round trip from Miami to Costa Rica with a budget airline. But once you’ve added in the $35 for seat selection each way, $30 for your checked bag, and $20 for meals, you’re looking at an extra $120. That’s a whopping 60% increase on the initial ticket price!
Get Set, Jet Set!
There you have it – my top tips for finding the best flight deals. It might seem like a lot to take in, but once you start implementing these tips, you’ll find it becomes second nature. Plus, the savings you’ll make will mean you can splurge on unique experiences at your destination, creating memories that are priceless.
Remember, traveling is all about exploring new places, trying new things, and making memories, and doing it all without breaking the bank makes it even better. So, keep these tips in mind, start hunting for those deals, and you’ll be jet-setting off on a new adventure in no time.
Consider Multi-City Flights
Sometimes, booking a multi-city flight can save you some bucks and give you a chance to add an extra destination to your itinerary. Websites like Google Flights make it incredibly easy to compare the prices of direct flights to the prices of multi-city journeys.
On one of my adventures, I was planning to visit Tokyo but decided to also stop in Seoul. Instead of booking a roundtrip ticket to Tokyo and then a separate roundtrip ticket from Tokyo to Seoul, I opted for a multi-city ticket. My itinerary looked like this: Los Angeles to Seoul, Seoul to Tokyo, and Tokyo back to Los Angeles. Surprisingly, I saved around $150 on the total fare!
Travel in the Off-Peak Season
Traveling during the off-peak season can also lead to significant savings. Airlines often slash prices to fill up their planes during less busy times. The off-peak season varies by destination, so make sure to do some research.
My personal travel story? I decided to visit Greece in late November, which is considered the shoulder season. Not only were the flight tickets way cheaper (I managed to get a deal for $550 roundtrip from New York to Athens), but the tourist attractions were less crowded, making for a more enjoyable trip.
Embrace Technology with Flight Alert Apps
Let’s face it, keeping track of fluctuating flight prices can be a real hassle. This is where flight alert apps like Hopper or Skyscanner step in. You can set up alerts for specific routes, and they’ll notify you when the price drops.
A couple of years back, I used Hopper to track fares for a flight from Miami to Buenos Aires. The app notified me when the price dropped to $400 roundtrip – a steal for this route! I booked immediately and saved a ton.
Become a Fare Predictor Ninja
Yes, you heard it right! Predicting fare trends can help you snag a better deal. Websites like FareCompare and apps like Hopper have nifty fare prediction features that suggest whether you should buy now or wait for the price to drop.
This feature came in handy when I was planning my trip to Bangkok. I had been tracking the prices for a while and they were hovering around $700 from San Francisco. The fare prediction feature suggested that I wait as prices were likely to drop. Sure enough, they dropped to $550 a week later!
Don’t Underestimate Last-Minute Deals
While booking well in advance is usually a good rule of thumb for finding cheap flights, don’t overlook last-minute deals. Sometimes airlines slash prices just days before departure to fill up the plane. Websites like Last Minute Travel and apps like HotelTonight often feature such deals.
One time, on a whim, I decided to check out last-minute deals and spotted a flight from Chicago to Cancun for just $200 round trip – that was less than half the normal price! So keep an eye out, and you might just stumble upon an incredible deal.
Choose Your Payment Method Wisely
Some airlines and booking websites offer discounts when you pay with certain credit cards or digital wallets. Others may offer installments or “book now, pay later” options that can ease the upfront cost of your ticket. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions to avoid any hidden fees or interest charges.
I once saved around 10% on my fare by using a promotional offer with my Visa card while booking a flight from Seattle to London on Expedia. The discount brought my fare down from $800 to $720!
Make the Most of Student or Senior Discounts
If you’re a student or a senior citizen, you could be eligible for special discounts. Some airlines offer discounted fares to these groups, so it’s worth checking their websites or calling their customer service.
I remember when I was a student, I used STA Travel to book discounted flights. Once, I was able to score a ticket from Dallas to Madrid for just $500, when other airlines were charging upwards of $700.
FAQs
Is it better to book flights early or wait for last-minute deals?
It really depends. Generally, booking early can give you access to lower fares, especially for peak travel seasons. However, last-minute deals can also provide significant savings, especially for off-peak travel periods.
What is the best day to book a flight?
There isn’t a definitive answer to this, as airline algorithms are constantly changing. However, midweek days like Tuesday or Wednesday are often suggested as good days to find cheaper flights.
Do flight prices go down at night?
Flight prices can fluctuate throughout the day, but there’s no solid rule that they will always be cheaper at night. It’s best to use a flight tracking tool to monitor prices over time.
Can I save money by booking a flight with a layover?
Yes, flights with one or more layovers can often be cheaper than direct flights. Plus, if the layover is long enough, you might be able to explore an additional city.
Happy Travels!
– Rose
