As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, people are more eager than ever to enjoy their lives and experience different cultures and landscapes. Traveling currently is a smart choice. It is an excellent way to open your eyes and enrich your life experience. However, expensive flights are often a major obstacle to realizing such a travel dream. How to Get Cheap Flights has become a hot topic for many travel enthusiasts.
To help you realize your dream trip without putting too much of a burden on your wallet, we've compiled the following 11 practical tips and detailed information for getting cheap flights:
List Flexible Flight Destinations
Want to start an unexpected adventure? Try setting your destination to “Everywhere” or “Anywhere” on price comparison sites like Skyscanner or Momondo. Choose a date range you can travel within and let these smart search engines present you with the best cheap flight deals from your location to the rest of the world. This open-ended search will make your trip surprising and more affordable.
Time is money, especially when it comes to ordering airfare. By making use of the “whole month view” feature offered by airlines or travel websites, you can compare the price difference between different dates at a glance. Often, traveling on a weekday (especially a Tuesday or Wednesday) can result in a better price.
In this age of information explosion, let technology be your right hand. Sign up for an account on sites like Google Flights, Kayak or Airfarewatchdog, enter your preferred routes and dates, and then set up price alerts. Set a price range you think is reasonable and you'll be notified as soon as the airfare drops to your expectations. It's like having a personal assistant working 24/7 to keep an eye on the best airfare for you. Upon receiving the notification, you are advised to act immediately as cheap flights are often in short supply and sell out fast.
Who doesn't want to take a road trip during the holiday season? However, if your goal is to save money, you may need to think over your travel schedule. First, check your destination's holiday calendar to avoid peak times around major holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year's, Chinese New Year, etc.). If you must travel during a holiday, consider flying on the day of the holiday, as airfares may be relatively cheaper on this day.
Who says you have to buy a round-trip ticket to travel? Sometimes, buying separate one-way tickets for the outbound and return trips can save you a significant amount of money instead. When searching for airfare, take the extra time to search for one-way ticket prices for both the outbound and return trip separately. Carefully compare the total price of a one-way ticket with the price of a round-trip ticket, and you may find unexpected savings.
Compare Flight Prices on Different Websites
Instead of relying on just one website, make the most of various price comparison tools. It is recommended that you use at least 3-4 different price comparison sites such as Expedia, Momondo, Skyscanner and Google Flights. Search for the same routes and dates on each site and carefully note down the lowest price shown on each site. Don't forget to check the airline's website directly as sometimes they offer exclusive deals of cheap flight. Once you have gathered all the information, carefully compare these prices and choose the best option.
For travelers with flexible schedules who like to improvise, keeping an eye out for last minute flight deals can bring unexpected surprises. Why not download apps that specialize in last minute flights, such as Hotel Tonight or Last Minute Travel. check these apps regularly 1-2 weeks before you plan your trip to see if there are any great deals that meet your needs. Also, don't forget to follow the social media accounts of major airlines, where they often post last minute deals on flights.
First, pay attention to the cheap last minute flights, and now, book flights in advance? Yes, what you read is right. As the saying goes, “Opportunity always comes to those who are prepared”, and this also applies when it comes to booking flights. For international flights, sales usually start 6-8 months before departure. It's wise to set a calendar reminder and start tracking price trends as soon as the flights go on sale. As a rule of thumb, international flights are usually best priced 3-4 months before departure, while domestic flights can be booked 1-3 months before departure. When you find a price you are happy with, don't hesitate to place your purchase order immediately.
Smart use of credit cards can turn your everyday purchases into a “porter” for your future travels. First, take some time to research the various credit cards that offer airline miles and choose the one that best suits your spending habits. Pay special attention to new card account opening incentives, as some credit cards may offer a large number of bonus miles that can be redeemed for a free ticket. Slowly build up your miles by using the card to pay for as many expenses as possible in your daily life. Over time, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that these accumulated miles can be redeemed for free tickets or cabin upgrades, adding a pleasant surprise to your travels.
When you're searching for cheap flights, don't be tempted to check the “direct flights only” box. While it's true that direct flights are more convenient, connecting flights can often save you a lot of money. Compare the price difference between direct and connecting flights, and you may find that taking the extra time to connect can save you a significant amount of money on your airfare. Of course, when choosing a connecting flight, check that you have enough time for your connecting flight to ensure that you have enough time to catch your next flight.
If you are a student, then congratulations! You have the opportunity to take advantage of some exclusive airfare discounts. First of all, make sure your student ID is valid as this will be your passport to the discounts. Next, visit some of the websites that specialize in student discounts, such as STA Travel or Student Universe, to see what they have to offer. Don't forget to check if there are any student promo codes, which may give you additional discounts.
Above are all 11 useful tips to get cheap flights. Now, it's your turn to apply these tips to significantly reduce your travel costs and make your travel dreams a good deal. Wish you a happy and rewarding trip!
Getting cheap flights requires patience, flexibility, and a few tips. By applying the above tips, you can significantly reduce your travel costs and make your travel dreams more attainable. Remember, cheap flights don't mean a drop in quality. Instead, it means you can spend the money you save on exploring more destinations and experiencing a richer local culture. We wish you a happy and rewarding trip!