Travelling around the world, discovering new cultures, and experiencing amazing destinations is a dream for most people, but the main factor that holds people back is the expensive airfare tickets.
Have you ever found yourself gazing at flight charges that seem to skyrocket with each click? You are not the only one! I, too, was in the same boat once, where I paid full charge for what I thought were too-pricey flights.
However, with some research, trial and error, and applying some of the tricks, I found the secrets to cheap flights deals and unlocking flights that I never thought possible. Let’s walk through how I transformed my travel booking procedure and how you can, too.
1. Cheap Flights Deals
Firstly getting into how to find cheap flights, let’s first understand why flight charges can seem so expensive. Airlines use a dynamic charge model, which means that the cost of a ticket can change based on other factors such as demand, timing, and even the time of booking.
Demand and Timing
Airlines increase their prices during peak travel seasons like holidays, long weekends, or many other events. Flights for late bookings are more expensive because the airlines know that people need to travel urgently.
Booking Time
The sooner you book, the better the chances of finding cheap flights deals. Booking in advance (usually 6-8 weeks before departure) can save you a lot.
Route
Nonstop flights are costly compared to the connecting ones. This is another cause of why sometimes prices seem over the top.
Airline’s Pricing Policy
Algorithms are used that keep changing prices according to your searches and how many people booked that flight. They even watch your browsing history and may increase the price if you’ve been searching for the same flight too many times.
Competition
Less competitive routes (fewer airlines offering service) can also be more costly because there is not enough pricing pressure to keep the costs down.
Know these and you will make better plans and no longer see prices skyrocket just when you thought you had a good one.
2. How I Went from Paying Full Price to Find Cheap Flights
Here’s where things get interesting. I was paying full price for flights for years, convinced that the prices were fixed and there was no way around them. But I soon learned that there are tricks and methods to unlock hidden deals.
Setting Alerts for Cheap Flight Deals
One of my early steps on my way to finding cheap flights was to set up charge
Alerts. Digital sites and apps like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to set up alerts for specific routes and dates, so you get notified every time the airfare go down. I had many notifications from this that helped me to grab deals I would have otherwise missed.
Booking on the Right Days
You might be wondering if the day of the week has anything to do with it. Yes, it does! Airlines tend to give affordable discounts on selected days of the week, usually Tuesday and Wednesday. Doing this consistently and comparing prices would show the pattern where midweek flights were cheaper.
Flexibility is the Key
Among the most important things I learned during my quest to find cheap flights is the power of flexibility. Before, I used to book flights strictly on dates, but I soon discovered
That moving my travel dates even by a day or two would save me money. Digital sites such as Google Flights help you compare fares across different dates so that you can easily choose the cheapest option.
Use Incognito Mode
Ever had a route whose price crept up each time you refreshed the page to check? Well, those are the airlines’ dynamic pricing at work. You can avoid this by using incognito mode on your browser and prevent the airlines from tracking your searches, making them keep increasing the prices for you.
Mix and Match Airlines
While searching for cheap flights, I found that most of the the time booking a one-way ticket with other airlines could be less expensive than booking a round-trip with the same carrier. By mixing and matching airlines and air routes, I found cheap flight deals that weren’t visible when I only looked for round-trip flights. This option gives you the flexibility to explore different airlines’ prices.
3. Tricks for Scoring Unbeatable Cheap Flight Deals
When I first heard about some tips, I felt like I had cracked the code. Here are the top tips I use regularly to find cheap flight ticket.
Use Airline Miles and Points
Firstly the easiest ways to get cheap flight deals is use of frequent flyer miles or your credit card points.
Most airlines provide loyalty programs that reward you with miles for every flight you take. These miles can rack up over time, and when you have too much, you can use them to book a free or discounted air ticket. I also have travel reward credit cards that come with sign-up bonuses and cash back points that you can use in booking your air ticket for the trips.
Airline Errors or Mistakes
Yes, airlines goof. Most of the them publish flights for a price that is too low. These error fares do not stick around long, but if you catch them before they are raised, you can snag a flight for a fraction of the regular charges. I follow deal forums and websites like Secret Flying, Airfare watchdog, and The Flight Deal to catch these.
Alternate Airports
It was a game-changer for me! Many metropolitan cities have more than one airport and flights to alternative airports might be of less fare. For instance, if you are flying to New York City, make sure to check if flying into Newark or even Philadelphia could save you money compared to flying into JFK or LaGuardia.
Consider Budget Airlines
If you are flexible and do not want to miss out the comforts, budget friendly airlines are the best way to get cheap flight tickets. Southwest, Ryanair, and Easy Jet are some of the airlines that offer very cheap fares but always watch out for extra baggage charges or seat selection.
Book Flights During Off-Peak Times
Fly early in the morning or late evening also as off-peak hours can give you a few dollars in discounts. Rush-hour flight and weekend-bound flights are likely to be higher-priced, however, if the travel time could not be compromised one could easily fetch a cheaper flight.
4. The Secret to Finding Cheap Flights—And Saving Big
Finding cheap flight deals isn’t luck. It is strategy and where to look. Using the suggestions above, I saved hundreds of dollars over time, which gave me more bang for my money to book more flights and travel more often.
A few more final tips on flights:
5. Final Thoughts
- Use Several Search Engines: Different search engines may give different results. So, always try checking several sites to get the best deal for you.
- Consider a Connection Flight: Non-stop flights are convenient. However, such flights are generally costlier. A layover or two could add a few hours to your journey, but it can save you a lot of money.
- Join Airline Newsletters: Airlines send out newsletters offering special discounts, early bird promotions, and flash sales. By subscribing, you can get exclusive access to these deals.
- Check Deals from Low-Cost Air Travel Agencies: Digital travel agencies like Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline offer competitive prices, and sometimes, they have exciting deals with airlines that you won’t find elsewhere.
- Book Trips with Different Airlines: BAoking two one-way tickets on different airlines is cheaper than booking a round-trip on the same airline. It’s worth checking before committing to one airline.
If there’s anything I learned along the lines to find cheap flights, it is the way to dig them out whenever needed, especially even when you’re feeling like the low price was offered. The whole strategy is more on being active and flexible enough as well as in using the correct tools; through setting alerts or mixing different airlines, utilizing programs for award trips, you’re going to see a world full of useful means to avail deals.
So, the next time you’re ready to book a flight, remember these tips and begin finding the cheap flights deals that will take you to the destinations of your dreams, all without breaking the bank!
