How to Score Cheap Flights
There’s nothing fun about scavenging your way through thousands of flights to find the cheapest one. And with an influx of search engines and incessantly fluctuating prices, it can feel overwhelming.
But there’s no need to fear. Frugal flights are out there; you must have a few tricks up your sleeve. Below are some of my best tips to avoid spending hours scrolling through a tantalisingly never-ending scavenger hunt and to help you save some serious cashola.
Here’s what we cover in this guide:
How to Search for Flights
Why You Should Book Connecting Flights
Best Flight Search Engines
Why You Should Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Budget Airlines Around the World
Here’s how you can master the art of scoring cheap flights…
Always Search for Flights in Private Browsing or Incognito Mode
You’re not losing the plot… If you’ve repeatedly searched for a specific flight more than once, the prices definitely will increase. Based on the cookies in your browser, flights do go up when a particular route is repeatedly searched.
Not a computer wizard? Me neither. This is not a complicated process. So how the hell do you even search in private browsing mode?
First off: Open Google Chrome or Safari. Then enable Incognito mode by pressing Command (for PCs: Control), Shift, ‘N’. For Mozilla, Firefox or Internet Explorer hit Command (for PCs: Control), Shift, ‘P’.
Basically, this opens a new browser window where your information is not tracked, therefore not inflating the prices as you search.
If you’re wondering how to score cheap flights to Hawaii, Europe, or other hot spots around the globe, this trick should be at the top of your list.
Book Connecting Flights
Consider booking multiple legs of a long-haul flight individually to slash costs or extend your layover.
Suppose you’re flying somewhere involving a transfer, such as New Zealand to Iceland. In that case, it’s important to remember that it’s cheaper to split it into two flights and then add another destination. Your layover could be anywhere between 15 hours to a couple of days.
This approach is for those adventurous souls who want to sprinkle a little extra spice into their trip. And, if you were wondering how to score cheap flights, this move can be a game-changer.
Think about it this way, instead of tediously dawdling around the airport for hours on end, you could book a multi-day layover and see two destinations for the price of one.
When I flew from Barcelona, I had a 15-hour stopover in Bangkok before embarking on another 10-hour flight back to Melbourne. By choosing this option, not only did I get the chance to explore Thailand’s capital, but I also ended up saving around €500.
Kiwi.com is an excellent option for searching alternative routes that involve multiple airlines. They also guarantee to get you to your connecting flight, even if it’s not with the same partner airline.
Top Tip: Do not book tight layovers, i.e. only 3-4 hours apart... That’s a big no.
Use the Best Flight Search Engines
All search engines have inflated flight costs as part of taking a cut from the airlines, so it’s best to familiarise yourself with the best sites.
If you want to know how to score cheap flights, trust Skyscanner, Kayak or Kiwi.com for the best deals. You’ll be able to compare various airlines, destinations and dates.
Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates and Times
Ignore those old myths that state there’s one specific day to book a flight. It’s a big, phat-ass lie. Flexibility is key if you’re on the hunt for how to score flights. It is usually cheaper to fly out during the middle of the week, not on the weekend.
Search the entire month rather than just specific dates to get a good idea of what price range you should expect. This way, you can get a visual of the varying prices to help you figure out what days will be your best bet.
If you’re using Skyscanner, all you need to do is enter your departure and arrival cities, select the option ‘One-way’ (even if you’re travelling a round trip, this will help you to determine the cheapest day to fly out), then select ‘Whole Month’ and hit ‘Search Flights’.
Top Tip: Avoid booking flights around upcoming holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, school holidays, etc.
The solution to cheap flights is to fly off-season. If you’re keen on travelling to Morocco, head there in the spring or autumn (fall), when fewer people are going and cheaper airfares. Be flexible with your dates; you’ll more than likely save a lot of cash.
Book Budget Airlines
As obvious as this sounds, budget airlines offer significantly lower prices than the bigger competitors. Remember the compromises you’ll have to make, including less legroom, a more basic interior, and no ‘free’ food or complimentary drinks on board.
Top Tip: When booking with a budget airline, don’t forget to check in beforehand. If you’ve managed to score cheap flights, having unexpected check-in fees can be one of the biggest frustrations.
When I flew from Athens to Santorini, we were running late (as per usual) and didn’t check in ahead of time. We coped a whopper fee at the airport (€200 each, to be exact).
At least I foolishly made this mistake, so you don’t have to! Always check in online and in advance!
Side note: Most airlines accept mobile boarding passes. However, if a printed version is required and you don’t have access to one, simply ask at the front desk of your accommodation, or find a library, university, or even a convenience store that should do the trick.
How to Score Cheap Flights With Budget Airlines
Here’s a list of the biggest budget airlines around the world:
Europe
Australia
Canada
Top Tip: Flying with budget airlines is almost always the best alternative. You get fewer perks, but you can literally half the prices. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to watch out for those oh-so-cheeky fees.
If you’re wondering how to score cheap flights, it’s important to note that budget airlines often charge for checked bags, carry-ons, printing your boarding pass, or even using a credit card.
Be sure you add up the fees and ticket prices to ensure the total is lower than another, non-budget airline, especially before you book.
More often than not, people mention how they would love to travel but simply cannot afford it. Well, guess what? You most likely can afford it; you just need to prioritise your goal to explore.
For many, travelling on a budget can seem like a very overwhelming situation to put yourself in. Unfortunately, it can deter many people from stepping out there.
You don’t have to let money be an inhibitor to travel the world!
Check out this post here on the Best Budget Travel Hacks.
FAQS
How to get the lowest flight fare?
Use flight comparison sites like eDreams or Skyscanner. Leave the search dates and destination open on ‘flexible’ and compare prices for different days.
These tried & tested travel hacks can assist you in finding cheap flights, hotels, and experiences that can make your daydreams of adventure a reality, and soon.
Have you got any tips on how to score cheap flights?
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