We all know that person who doesn’t just love to travel, but travels all the time. You must have wondered how they manage to travel whenever they like, even for not-so important reasons, right? Traveling is expensive, so how are they able to fund it?
Source: Pinterest
Well, it might not necessarily mean they are so rich. You probably have more money but not the knowledge that gets them traveling around the world at the most affordable prices. Let’s help you!
1. Make Your Travel Dates Flexible
Who books a flight at 8pm for no particular reason? Those friends of yours who are always on trips sure know what they are doing. This is why they sometimes book flights on days and times you may consider a bit weird.
Source: Pinterest
It’s one of the best ways to snag cheap flights. Prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week, time of the year, and even the time of the day you fly.
2. Keep Your Searches Private
Have you ever noticed flight prices suddenly increase after you’ve searched for them a few times? That’s because airlines and booking sites track your searches and hike prices based on demand.
Source: Pinterest
You can skillfully avoid this by using incognito mode in your browser. This way, your searches remain private, and you can get the best deals.
3. Let the Deals Come to You
The smart guys who get cheap flight deals are not always staring at their browsers searching for them. They simply set up price alerts on sites like Kayak, Hopper, or AirfareWatchdog.
Source: Pinterest
These services will notify you when prices drop for your desired routes. It’s more like having a personal assistant who’s always on the lookout for the best deals.
4. Book in Advance, but not Too Far Ahead
You should already know that booking flights in advance can save you money. But here’s what you might not know—booking too far in advance or at the last minute can lead to higher prices.
Source: Pinterest
So, keep it in the middle. For domestic flights, aim to book one or three more ahead, and for international flights, three to six months is usually ideal.
5. Consider Alternative Airports
You can already guess why your friends don’t stick to one airline, right? Flying into or out of smaller, nearby airports can sometimes be cheaper than major hubs.
Source: Pinterest
So, consider checking flights from alternative airports and compare prices. You can find significant savings, even after factoring the cost of transportation to and from the airport.
6. Look for Error Fares
This may sound ridiculous but it could save you a lot of money. Occasionally, airlines and booking sites make mistakes and list fare prices that are way lower than usual.
Source: Pinterest
Sites like Secret Flying, Airfarewatchdog, and The Flight Deal specialize in finding and sharing these error fares. If you see one, act fast! They usually don’t last long.
7. Cash in on Rewards
If you’re a frequent traveler, make sure to sign up for airline loyalty programs and use your miles to book flights. This is one travel tip that we wouldn’t ever take for granted.
Source: Pinterest
And even if you don’t travel often, you can earn miles through credit card sign ups, shopping portals, and dining programs. These miles can add up and save you a lot on flights.
8. Mix and Match Airlines
Sometimes, the cheapest way to fly is by booking separate flights with different airlines. You can use sites like Kiwi.com or Skiplagged to find and book these hacker fares.
Source: Pinterest
Just be sure to leave plenty of time between connections in case of delays, as you will have to recheck your bags.
9. Travel Light and Save on Baggage Fees
Building on the above, many budget airlines offer lower fares but charge hefty fees for checked luggage. Traveling with a carry-on can save you a lot of money.
Source: Pinterest
Ensure to pack smart, use compression bags, and wear your bulkiest items on the plane to make the most of your carry-on allowance.
10. Book Mid-Week flights
We’ll advise that you never travel on weekends unless it’s urgent. That’s because flying mid-week, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is often cheaper than flying on weekends.
Source: Pinterest
Most people prefer to travel on Fridays and Sundays, driving up prices on those days. If you can be flexible with your schedule, you can save big by mid-week.
Bonus Tip
Before booking, always check for discounts and coupon codes. Students, military personnel, and senior citizens can often find special rates.
Source: Pinterest
Sites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com sometimes offer promo codes for travel booking sites. Check them out when you can.
