How to Find Cheap Flights Like a Boss
Unless you know the ins and outs of scoring super cheap airline tickets, trying to find cheap flights at a reasonable cost can be a huge pain. There is no better way to find cheap flights than to shop around, do some research, and compare. Paying for flights shouldn’t be over the top expensive and finding a good deal will definitely help reduce some of those bigger travel expenses.
See below my 12 hot tips on how to find cheap flights like a boss!
1. Secret Searching
This may sound crazy but have you ever searched a certain flight route a few times then suddenly notice the price has increased? That’s because computers are smart! Constantly searching a particular flight in a web browser will increase the price of flights making you want to book right now before prices are too high.
Always search for cheap flights on private or incognito mode. If you use Chrome or Safari you can simply do this by selecting File at the top left of your screen, then select new incognito window. This will simply open a new search window where you won’t be tracked and your search results won’t become inflated. This will help you find the lowest prices more easily without the internet tracking your every move.
2. Book In Advance
Most of the time it’s very rare flights get cheaper as your departure date gets closer. If you need to fly on certain dates don’t wait, book NOW! Booking far in advance when you can, in most cases will save you a ton of money.
3. Join A Frequent Flyer Program
Why not? They’re free to sign up and give you amazing benefits. Becoming a frequent flyer member is a great way to save. You can earn points towards flights, get free upgrades & receive exclusive lounge access. Many programs also have airline partnerships where they will honor points and statuses with other airlines.
4. Use Comparison Websites
Airfare compare websites are certainly your best bet in finding cheap flights. Most airline websites do inflate their flight costs, this is why it’s best to find a number of good sites that can offer you the best prices. My number one favorite comparison website is Skyscanner as I tend to find the best deals here, I also really love Google Flights, Kiwi.com, CheapOair, & Momondo.
5. Be Flexible With Dates
This is certainly the best place to start when you want to save money on flights. Locking in a specific time and date can really decrease your chances of getting a bargain. Be flexible! Modify your dates, time, or location.
For example, consider flying early or late on a weekday when it’s quieter, rather than a Friday when it’s the start of the weekend. You also want to avoid peak season times which is generally the summer months in most countries, flights are generally cheaper in the winter months or rainy season period. In terms of finding the cheapest day to fly, I highly recommend you try out Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights “entire month” feature, this will show you what days are cheaper to fly than others.
6. Make The Most Of Your Points
Use your points and fly for FREE! Being a member of an airline and accumulating flight points is an awesome way to save some big bucks. You can literally put your points towards anything like flights, seating upgrades, or paying for extra baggage. I know as a Qantas Frequent Flyer the more you fly internationally the more points you receive. It certainly pays to take advantage of your points when you can.
Another great way to fly for free is to sign up with a good travel rewards credit card. This will allow you to save money on a variety of airlines, this is one thing I wish I had jumped on a lot sooner. Signing up for a travel rewards card is super easy and the best way to maximize your spending potential.
As a first-timer, I recommend the Capital One Venture Card. You can earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months, that’s worth roughly $500 when redeemed through the Capital One Travel Center. Enough to purchase a domestic round-trip flight. There are no foreign transaction fees and is the best all-rounder travel card for beginners. For more information, I recommend reading this super helpful article by The Points Guy.
7. Create Search Alerts
Creating search alerts will keep track of price changes which can increase your chances of scoring cheaper flights. Most flight deal websites will allow you to set price alerts, so when that aweosme cheap deal rolls around you will be the first to know.
8. Flying Budget Airlines
Budget airlines are by far the cheapest way to go when looking for cheap flights in comparison to your regular airlines. As much as these flights are super intriguing because of their super low prices, Keep in mind that they do come with their fair share of disadvantages. Budget airlines for the most part usually means no ‘free’ food or drink, less legroom, uncomfortable seating, and luggage restrictions.
In my opinion, if you want to save some serious cash than flying budget is definitely the best way to go.
Here are a few budget airlines listed below.
Africa: Air Arabia Egypt, Jambojet, Air Arabia Maroc, Fastjet Mozambique, Flysafair, Fastjet Tanzania, Fastjet Zimbabwe
Europe: Wizz Air, WOW air, Ryan Air, French, BeeSmart Wings, FlyOne
Americas: Flybondi, Air Canada, Swoop Airline, Westjet, Sky Airline, EasyFly, Interjet, Allegiant Air, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sprint
Oceania: Tiger Air, Jetstar Airways
Asia: West Air, China United Airlines, Lion Air, Air Asia, Japan Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar, Pacific Air, Eastar
Middle East: Air Arabia, Jordan Salam, Air Air Arabia
9. Consider “Around The World” Ticket
Even if you are flying one way sometimes booking a round trip ticket can be a better deal. I always like to compare my one-way tickets vs ATW tickets. For example, my sister found a flight from Los Angeles to Australia for $1000 on an ATW ticket, compared to the one-way fare which was $1300. So, in this case, she saved $300 booking the round trip. Keep mind these tickets generally stopover in many different cities/countries and have long layover times, which can take longer to get to your final destination.
10. Book Separate Connecting Flights
If you happen to be flying long haul chances are you will most likely have a layover somewhere. For example, New York City to Australia, most of the time has a stopover in Los Angeles, then a connecting flight onto Australia. Booking sperate flights with a stopover can definitely be a lot cheaper in some instances and can give you a lot more flexibility without having a tight layover time. This option is perfect for those who wish to enjoy a few days in a stopover destination before continuing onto their final stop. Check out which best airlines offer free stopovers here.
Read More
How to make the most of a long layover
11. Sign Up For Cheap Flight Newletters
Find even more cheap flights by signing up to a cheap flight mailing list! Website services such as Scott’s Cheap Flights scourer the internet for the cheapest flight deals around the globe and deliver them straight to your inbox. I get so many emails alerting me of amazing cheap flight deals at super low costs.
12. Always Read The Fine Print
Finding that perfect super cheap flight can sometimes be too good to be true. It can certainly be a bummer when you get to the end of your booking and it turns out to be more expensive than you thought. Make sure you ALWAYS read the fine print especially when booking with budget airlines. There may be some circumstances you didn’t consider like extra charges, excluded services, refund policies, expiration dates, and more.
Summary!
Use incognito mode
to find consistent flight deals across the web.
Book in advance
don’t wait, if you find a great deal jump on it! Great deals don’t last long.
Become a frequent flyer member
accumulate those points, and start gaining those benefits.
Use comparison websites
such as Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kiwi.com, CheapOair, & Momondo to find the best flight deals.
Sign up for a good travel rewards card
start making purchases on everyday items to earn those points that will get you free flights. I personally love the Capital One venture, this is my number #1 travel credit card.
Fly budget airlines
and save a ton of money! And remember to ALWAYS read the fine print.
Book separate legs of flights
compare your one-way tickets to round trip tickets and make the most of your long layovers.
There you have it guys! these are my 12 top tips to finding super cheap flights around the world.
Let me know in the comments below where has been the cheapest place you have flown to? I would love to know.
Just a heads up! This post contains some affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog. You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
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