Traveling is an enriching experience, but the cost of flights can often eat into your budget. Fortunately, with a bit of strategy and know-how, you can score cheap flight deals without compromising on quality. Here are some tried-and-tested hacks to book budget-friendly flights.
1. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
Airfare prices always change with demand, so taking a flight during midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or in off-peak seasons will save a lot of money.
With fare comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner, you can also see prices for an entire month and pick the cheapest days.
2. Set Fare Alerts
Many travel websites and apps allow you to set fare alerts. They let you know when prices go down for your routes so that you don’t miss a deal.
The most popular platforms include Hopper and Kayak, which offer price prediction tools that help you decide whether it is the right time to book.
3. Book Early, but Not Too Early
Domestic flights: 1-3 months
International flights: 2-6 months
Book your ticket not too early, for it is only closer to departure that airlines tend to come out with their best offers.
4. Use Incognito Mode or Clear Cookies
Airlines and booking sites may inflate prices based on repeated searches of the same route.
Clear your browser cookies or surf through incognito mode to prevent price hikes.
5. Compare Prices Across Platforms
Never accept the price you see first. Compare prices on multiple websites such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Momondo.
Don’t forget to check the airline’s website, as sometimes they have exclusive deals.
6. Use Budget Airlines
Budget airlines such as Ryanair, AirAsia, and Frontier have cheaper fares, especially for short flights.
Be aware of their extra charges for baggage, seat selection, and onboard services.
7. Use Connecting Flights
Non-stop flights are convenient but often come at a premium. Opt for connecting flights to save money.
Use tools like Skiplagged to find hidden-city tickets, where your destination is a layover on a longer route.
8. Fly from Alternate Airports
Check for flights from nearby airports; smaller or secondary airports often have cheaper fares.
Factor in the cost of transportation to the alternate airport to ensure overall savings.
9. Redeem Miles and Points
Join airline loyalty programs or travel credit card reward schemes to accumulate points that may be redeemed into flights.
Use points for travel during high season when cash fare is costlier.
10. Book at the Right Time
Studies prove that there is a favorable time when domestic flights need to be booked, Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons.
One should desist from booking a flight on weekends since, during those days, prices would be pretty high due to increased demands.
11. Combine Flights with Hotels
Many travel websites provide discounts when you book flights and hotels together. This is very useful for vacation packages.
Even if you do not need a hotel, look for deals that include one for better airfare savings.
12. Use Student and Senior Discounts
If you are a student or senior citizen, many airlines provide discounts.
There are platforms like StudentUniverse that specialize in discounted fares for students and young travelers.
13. Avoid Peak Travel Times
Traveling during holidays or big events drives ticket prices much higher.
If you need to travel during such periods, you should book in advance and seal in the best prices possible.
14. Watch Social Media for Bargains
Airline companies, as well as other travel providers, post flash sales on social media.
Keep tabs with airlines, travel agencies, and low-budget travel bloggers.
15. Use VPN to Locate Local Prices
Some airlines change the prices according to where you are coming from.
Use a VPN to access prices from countries where tickets might be cheaper.
