Going through the hassle of finding the cheapest airfares online can be a little overwhelming and demanding. This happens because there are many options to consider, starting from comparing fares from multiple airlines to finding the best deals.
Nowadays, it is essential to save when you can. Paying more than budgeted when booking a trip could cause an inconvenience. There are tips and tricks to planning your flight that can save you money. Keep reading, as we show you how to find the cheapest flights without breaking the bank.
- Try not to book over the phone.
- Don’t reveal your exact location when booking.
- Maximize the bonus points offered by airlines.
- Consider mix and match airlines.
- Fly on days when flight rates are lower.
- Use Budget Airlines.
- Try booking a bundle package.
Try Not to Book over the Phone
It is more frugal to book directly with an airline‘s website instead of calling over the phone. And this is because, at times, some airlines will charge you additional fees for this.
Next time you want to book over the phone, be sure there are no additional charges. Some airlines offer discounted flights to customers who book directly through their sites, especially if you’re part of their rewards program.
According to Matador Network, some airlines reward customers who go through their official sites with benefits such as:
- Free Wi-Fi,
- Priority boarding,
- Food and drink credits,
- Access to the airport lounge,
- Discount codes, and many more,
- Quick response when glitches like delays or booking cancellations occur. It spares you from going back and forth between the Online Travel Agency and the airline.
Certain airlines, like Lufthansa, usually charge more when you book through an OTA (Online Travel Agency).
Do not Reveal your Exact Location When Booking
Your location can influence the price of your flight tickets. At times, airfares are lesser when you book flights from within another country other than the country you are in.
Ways to Hide your Exact Location
The easiest way to do this is by using a VPN (or Virtual Private Network). A VPN is helpful because, like a funnel, it covers your computer’s IP (Internet Protocol) address making it impossible for airlines to detect your location.
Is concealing your location fool-proof?
According to the New York Times, a writer claimed that when He used a VPN to hide his location, he got mixed results.
- First, he was asked by a Chinese airline (Air China) to identify his language and country. While this confirms that concealing your location is not fool-proof, it does work at times.
- He found out that it costs at least $53 lesser than the amount charged by airlines in his own country; when he used VPN to search for internal flights within another country.
Booking sites from different regions generally offer you different prices.
For example, Expedia and Expedia Japan will offer different prices for the same itinerary. Expedia Japan being the Japanese version of Expedia.com.
Maximize the Bonus Points offered by Airlines
Certain airlines offer a great reward system when you book through them. Getting a free flight doesn’t come more straightforward than this. One of the best ways to enjoy a free flight is through bonus points from airlines.
How to get bonus points?
To enjoy this, you must sign up for a travel rewards credit card. There are two available options to earn significant points bonus
- You can sign up for an airline rewards card that will earn you points with that airline
- Get a travel reward card (which is more general and allows you to redeem points across multiple airlines).
Getting a Rewards Credit Card
If you don’t fly too often, a good starting point is to get a beginner card, and an excellent choice is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. With this card, you can cut your initial flight price down by a certain percentage.
For example, you earn up to 60 000 bonus points worth $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You don’t have to pay for any foreign transaction charges when using this card. There are a lot of such cards that you can also use that offer bonus points.
If you are a business owner, you might want to consider getting a Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. With this card you can earn bonus points up to about 100,00 after spending $15,000 in your first three months of signing up.
A 100,000 bonus points worth $1250 through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Not bad, right? You get 8.3% of your money back. There’s a chance to save even more when you earn enough points.
The Best Airline Credit cards
Not many airlines offer the best credit cards, and they also do not offer similar rewards and benefits. However, below is a list of one of the best airline credit cards that can provide you with great flight opportunities:
- It offers a 10% refund on all redeemed TrueBlue points
- It gives a 50% discount on all purchases made during the flight
- It gives a welcome bonus of 40,000 points after paying the annual fee and spending $1,000 in the first three months.
- New cardmembers get 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $3,000 in your first three months.
- As part of the welcome bonus, you will get a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card to purchase food, beverages, and audio headsets during flights.
American Airlines AAdvantage Mile-Up Card
- Gives a 25% discount on purchases made during the flight
- Priority boarding for eligible credit card members
- No Annual fees
- You receive 10000 bonus miles and a 50$ credit when you spend 500$ in your first three months
- Get up to 4 tickets for upgraded southwest boarding per year.
- Offers 7,500 on your account’s anniversary
- Offers 20% on purchases made during the flight
- Offers 25% refund on in-flight purchases
- provides priority boarding for primary card members and one travel partner
- Gives cardmembers two passes to one-time United lounge each year
- Offers up to $100 statement credit to cover card members’ Global Entry and TSA precheck application fees every four years
- Also provides an auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement.
- America only
Consider Mixing and Matching Airlines
It is possible to save some money by mixing and matching airlines. When trying to book a flight, the best choice is not always to fly direct, especially if you have a tight budget. You could get cheaper flight prices when you mix and match airlines.
How to mix and match airlines
It is easier to find cheap flights through something called “Virtual Interlining,” thanks to technology. Virtual interlining combines (mixing and matching) flights from airlines that do not operate together under a single itinerary and fare.
Some of the websites that offer the option to mix and match several includes:
Instead of a costlier roundtrip ticket, you could buy a single-way ticket to a closer destination and then another to your final destination. This will save you some bucks. This will work only if the two different trips sum up to a relatively lower fare.
For example, Kiwi can be helpful when you want to stay on budget. Unlike a typical metasearch engine which will only suggest a single route to your destination, Kiwi will mix and match airlines to find the cheapest flights to your destination.
Cheapflight is also a great search-engine to find the best deals for cheap flights, hotel, and car rentals. It is affiliated with several airlines and travel partners to get you the best value. You can easily find the cheapest periods to travel on Cheapflight, if you’re flexible enough.
What could happen when you mix and match airlines?
It can be a little risky to mix and match separate airlines. If you plan on doing this, you have to make sure there is at least a 2-hour interval between the two connections. This gives you just enough time for
- Customs
- The long lines
- Many other unforeseen circumstances.
Since the two airlines involved in your mix and match flight have no association with each other, it could cause problems when delays occur. However, Kiwi sometimes offers an excellent guarantee to cover for this.
It is not just limited to delays only; the guarantee covers for flight cancellations and schedule changes as well. For delayed flight issues, if you contact Kiwi early enough, they can reschedule your flight to catch an alternate connecting flight or give you a refund.
Fly on days when Flight Rates are Lower
It is possible to find the days that offer the cheapest flights possible. Even though, in reality, it is often impossible to predict and fix an exact day when prices will be lower. But certain websites like Skyscanner can do the trick for you.
How to find the cheapest flight days on Skyscanner?
To find the best day to buy plane tickets on Skyscanner, follow these steps:
- Download the Skyscanner app
- Enter your destinations
- Choose from the available flight options (one way, roundtrip, multicity). It doesn’t matter which one you choose, since you’re just scouting for the best days with the best possible price.
- To see which date is the cheapest to fly on pc, click “Depart” but don’t enter a date yet, select “whole month,”
- Finally, select” cheapest month.” It will list out the days with cheap flights.
However, to see the cheapest date of all, tap “search flights.”
- If you’re viewing the site on a mobile phone,
- Hit the departure date, then switch to the “Chart” view. Y
You can then swipe left and right to find the cheapest date.
What other Search Engines allow you to see the Cheapest Flight Dates?
Other search engines that offer the option to see the cheapest flight rate include:
They also work similarly to Skyscanner. Hopper, especially, offers price analysis and methods of tracking fluctuations. This whole process can be repeated for as many trips you want, and it is a great way to stay right on budget.
Skyscanner everywhere search tool” brings together a list containing the cheapest available flights to various destinations. It is, therefore a great one to add to your travel tool.
Try Booking a Bundle Package
Booking an all-inclusive (bundle package) can save you hundreds of dollars if done right. A bundle package covers your flight, hotel, car, and other luxury bookings, to make your trip an eventful one.
Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corp showed in a study that customers can save as much as $568 lesser than they are supposed to when they make both flight and hotel bookings from the same airline. Similarly, it can shoot up to about $800 to $1000 in places with tourist attractions like the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii.
Some airlines that allow booking bundle packages are:
Booking a bundle package can spare you a few dollars that could be used for other expenses. You will have the satisfaction that comes with bulk purchases.
NOTE: If you are going on a vacation, it is advisable to book an air-hotel package. The best deals come at the very last hours.
Use Budget Airlines
It is clear from the name that this will help you save more and keep your budget tight. Unlike their regular full-service counterparts, which offer “free food and drinks on-board, and preferential treatment,” you have to give those up if you’re considering flying budget.
Before delving into some preferred budget airlines, you might want to consider reading this on booking budget airlines.
- Be sure to check the airport location. Some budget airlines are situated far from town. You wouldn’t want to spend extra cash just trying to catch a ride back to town.
- Be sure to read the instructions carefully to avoid incurring unnecessary additional charges.
- Don’t disregard the airline’s restrictions on weight, the number of bags allowed, height, to avoid being charged. And make sure you have booked and paid for all allowances before the flight day.
That said, here is a list of some major budget airlines in the US and Canada. These budget airlines are cheaper than regular airlines, but they do not offer the same benefits.
Some budget airlines you might want to consider include:
Canada
- WOW Air (are you planning to go to Europe from Toronto or Montreal, you can check them out)
- Spirit Airlines (it is worth checking out if you want to save. Flights are from Niagara Falls and Plattsburgh)
- Air Transat (offers less price for international flights)
United States
- Southwest (offers certain benefits: such as earning 40,000 bonus points through their credit card, after spending $1000 in the first three months of opening your account)
- WOW Air (offer cheap flights to Europe)
- Allegiant Air
Australia
Europe
If you’re planning to go through any of these airlines, it is advisable to start communicating with them way before your travel date. You can research them on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms
Take advantage of their special offers before they are sold out.
What Is the Best Website for the Cheapest Flights?
It makes much sense to search the most reliable websites before you take any action to get the best flight deal. Some of the best websites to find the cheapest flights include:
Certainly, here are the features of Skyscanner without bold letters:
1. Flight Search: Skyscanner allows users to search for flights based on their departure and arrival locations, dates, and preferences. It provides a comprehensive list of flight options from various airlines and travel agencies.
2. Hotel Search: Users can search for hotels by entering their destination, check-in and check-out dates, and filter results based on price, star rating, and amenities.
3. Car Rental: Skyscanner offers a car rental search feature, enabling users to find rental cars at their destination. It provides options from various car rental companies.
4. Flexible Search: Skyscanner’s flexible search options allow users to explore flight and hotel options with flexible dates and destinations. This feature helps users find the best deals and options.
5. Price Alerts: Users can set up price alerts for specific flights or routes. Skyscanner will notify them when prices drop, helping travelers secure the best deals.
6. Multi-City Trips: Skyscanner accommodates multi-city travel itineraries, making it suitable for travelers planning complex journeys with multiple stops.
7. Travel Inspiration: The platform offers travel inspiration and guides to help users discover new destinations and plan their trips.
8. Real-Time Price Updates: Skyscanner provides real-time updates on flight and hotel prices, ensuring users have access to the most current information.
9. User Reviews and Ratings: Users can read reviews and ratings from fellow travelers about airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, helping them make informed decisions.
10. Multi-Language Support: Skyscanner is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
11. Mobile App: The Skyscanner mobile app offers all the features of the website, making it convenient for travelers to book and manage their trips on the go.
12. Customer Support: Skyscanner offers customer support to assist users with booking and travel-related inquiries.
13. Deals and Discounts: The platform often features special deals and discounts, making it easier for users to find cost-effective travel options.
14. Currency Conversion: Skyscanner provides currency conversion options, allowing users to view prices in their preferred currency.
These features collectively make Skyscanner a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for travelers to plan and book their trips efficiently.
- Kayak brings you the best deals when it comes to scouring for cheap flights.
- It occasionally offers amazingly low flight prices. It does this by returning the best results from querying over a billion airlines and third-party sites. It compares them so that it is easier for you to choose the cheapest from the available options.
- It can help if you’re also planning to try out a bundle package by booking your flight along with rental cars, vacation packages, and other traveling options.
- Its price forecast tool can help you make informed decisions about the right time to buy. It informs you ahead of time (7 days earlier) if the flight price and date are going to change.
- It is reliable because it draws insight from historical data to help you choose right.
- Kayak’s explore tool is also a go-to engine when you wish to spot better deals. Kayak’s explore-tool will work according to your set budget and help you make informed decisions when comparing different airline fares.
Forbe’s review on Momondo says that its consistent provision of cheap airfares has made it unrivaled. It is by far one of the best travel websites to search for cheap airfares.
- Momondo compares real-time prices on flights from different airlines to bring you the cheapest deals.
- Its website is user friendly and intuitive, which makes it outstanding. It can tell you if you could save money by adjusting your travel dates. They also offer tools to play around with to get the best deals.
- Its site allows you to search for the best deals that fit your budget. Although these offers may change, rules and restrictions may apply depending on the websites placing the bonuses! Who doesn’t like been offered the best deals?
Orbitz’s unique selling point is that unlike other OTAs (Online Travel Agency), they offer a personal reward program called Orbitz Rewards. The best part is, you don’t have to pay a dime to join their reward program. It is absolutely free.
Some benefits of Orbitz Rewards are:
- Each time you book a flight, hotels, and vacation packages from Orbitz, you’ll earn back 1% of the price as Orbucks. Orbucks is the currency used in the Orbitz rewards program. For example, earning 5 Orbucks is equivalent to $5 worth, which can be directed toward hotel booking.
- It offers a refund if you find a lower price for the same itinerary as yours on another website within 24 hours of booking, hence guaranteeing a low flight price. You will often be charged a booking fee, so be sure to see a summary page of your trip before completing your purchase.
In addition to flight bookings, nomad gives you access to several other options, such as:
- accommodation,
- blogs,
- coworking space
- finance,
- insurance and many more.
It contains several apps and services that offer you the best rates to your next destination. This makes it easier to compare flight fares from all of the various options available.
- It makes booking multi-destination trips much more cost-effective. All you have to do is enter the starting and ending destinations stops you’d like to make and the number of nights you want to spend at your desire destinations and watch Nomad do the magic.
- It puts together “mix and match airlines” that offers you the lowest prices possible.
- It is a reliable tool to have when trying to find the best flight price, which allows you to compare different routes, airlines’ costs, and travel dates.
- It can also show you a plot of price variation over time, which reveals, in retrospect, the cheapest flight days.
- It is available in almost all the regions of the world.
If you’re planning your next vacation, consider using Google Flights to find the best airfare deals.
Do Airline Prices go up the More You Search?
Cookies in your web browser store some of your recent activities in a file. This will increase flight fares after conducting a repeated search, trying to make bookings. If an airline search engine probably senses that you are researching an upcoming flight and you’ve repeatedly searched a particular route, it may raise the fare and guess that you may be willing to pay more.
To avoid this, it is always a good idea to switch to incognito mode on your browser (this does not store any information about your activities online) or clear out cookies from your website. However, there is no way to know if there is a direct link between a browser’s previous search history and a rise in airlines’ airfares. It sure won’t hurt to clear out cookies from your web browser or switch to incognito browsing.
How to enable private browsing on any web browser
Switching to incognito mode/private tab/ InPrivate browsing, as the case may be, depends on your browsing device and web browser. So, here’s a quick guide on how you can go about it:
- If you’re on Windows, choose “New Incognito Window” this will switch to private browsing, and third-party sites can’t track your details.
Alternatively, in google chrome or Safari, you can enable private browsing by pressing “command + shift + N” for Mac users (or “control + shift + N” if you’re on windows).
- On Mozilla Firefox, press “command (or “control” for pc users) + shift + P” or press the three vertical lines on windows,
Then choose New Private Window from the dropdown list.
- On Android and iOS
It’s relatively easy to switch to incognito browsing on mobile devices, especially if you’re using Chrome. All you have to do is tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the browser, and then from the dropdown menu, select “New Incognito tab.”
- On Internet Explorer
Its private browsing mode is called InPrivate Browsing, and to enable it:
- at the top-right corner browser, tap the gear icon
- click safety, then InPrivate Browsing, or you can alternatively use the hotkey “Ctrl + Shift + P.”
After enabling private browsing, you can be sure that you’re free from price hike by airlines and can easily see better deals when searching for flight prices.
Now you can continue to browse without worrying if the airlines are tracking your search history to know when to raise their airfares.
Should I clear cookies when searching for flights?
Yes, you should. Cookies are files created by the websites you visit, and they help to improve your online experience. They are very similar to cache since they store your browsing information. They contain;
- the websites you visited
- the ones you visit regularly
- they are also responsible for keeping you signed in on a site.
If you’re logged into a booking site without clearing your browser cookies, the airfare might increase as a result. It is advisable to clear your cookies first before you try to book online or, preferably, switch to incognito mode on your browser. By doing this, your browsing history won’t be stored, and it just appears as if you never did.
Here is a guide on how to clear cookies on Chrome:
In the Chrome app
- Click on the three vertical lines at the top-right section of the app.
- From the dropdown tap history, and then Clear browsing data.
- Choose a time range from which to delete your history. To delete everything, select All Time.
- Go on to check the “Cookies and site data.”
- Tap Clear data, and this will clear all cookies.
Plan Your Trip and Save Money
It takes a little work, but it’s worth it. Do your research and take advantage of the different travel sites and rewards cards. By following these guidelines, you can plan a trip that won’t break the bank.
(Learn more about how to travel on a budget in this article!)