Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations

One of the keys to unlocking rock-bottom airfares is being open-minded about your travel dates and destinations. While it's tempting to have your heart set on a specific trip, embracing flexibility can open up a world of savings.
Start by avoiding rigidly planning your travel around weekends or national holidays. These peak travel times tend to command a premium, so consider flying on weekdays instead. The difference in price can be staggering - we've seen flights that are hundreds of dollars cheaper simply by shifting the departure or return date by a day or two.
Similarly, don't limit yourself to a single airport. Expanding your search to nearby airports, even if they're in a different country, can yield far better deals. For example, flying into Paris' Beauvais airport instead of Charles de Gaulle can save you hundreds compared to the main Parisian hub. The same principle applies to domestic travel - look beyond just your home airport and consider options like flying into a smaller regional airport.
Another strategy is to be open to alternative destinations. If you're itching for a European getaway, don't get tunnel vision on popular hubs like London or Rome. Venture a bit off the beaten path to places like Budapest, Warsaw, or Lisbon, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the savings. The same goes for long-haul trips - why not explore Southeast Asia or South America instead of the usual suspects?

What else is in this post?

1. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
2. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Use "Hidden City" Ticketing Strategically
3. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Consider Budget Airlines and Their Restrictions
4. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Leverage Airline Sales and Error Fares
5. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Book Connecting Flights Separately
6. Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Watch for One-Way Fare Sales

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Use "Hidden City" Ticketing Strategically

One technique savvy flyers employ to score cheaper one-way tickets is known as "hidden city" ticketing. This refers to booking a flight with a layover at your desired destination, rather than the final destination on the ticket. For example, you might book a ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago with a layover in Denver, but only take the first leg to Denver and skip the rest of the flight.
The key to making this work is finding routes where the one-way fare to the layover city is significantly cheaper than the one-way fare to the final destination. This can happen for a few reasons - airlines may price certain routes more competitively to fill planes, or they may subsidize connecting flights to bolster their hub operations.
However, it's crucial to understand the risks involved. Most airlines prohibit hidden city ticketing in their terms of service, and they can take punitive measures if they catch you, such as revoking your frequent flyer miles or even banning you from future travel. There's also the logistical headache of having to travel light and not check any bags, since those would continue on to the final destination.
To minimize the drawbacks, it's best to use hidden city ticketing selectively - perhaps for a quick weekend getaway or a one-way hop rather than for a critical business trip. Additionally, be sure to research the airline's policies, as some are more lenient than others. And of course, never attempt to game the system on a return flight, as that's a surefire way to get caught.

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Consider Budget Airlines and Their Restrictions

Budget airlines can be a goldmine for scoring incredibly cheap one-way flights, but it's critical to understand their restrictions before booking. Airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant entice travelers with barebones base fares, then make up costs by tacking on fees for extras. This a la carte pricing model allows them to advertise eye-poppingly low fares, but the final price can quickly balloon if you're not careful.
One of the biggest gotchas is that budget airlines will charge you for carry-on bags, sometimes up to $50 each way. That's right - no free carry-ons allowed, unlike mainstream airlines. You'll also get hit with fees for seat assignments, on-board food and drinks, and printing your boarding pass at the airport. Make sure to do your homework and factor these costs in before purchasing.

Budget airlines also fly exclusively from alternate airports that tend to be farther from city centers. While this allows them to keep costs down, it does mean you'll spend more time and money traveling to and from the airport. Subtract the cost of this additional transportation from any potential savings.
Finally, budget airlines are typically no-frills when it comes to flight changes and cancellations. You may have to pay $100 or more to make any date modifications, and good luck getting exceptions or refunds for personal emergencies. Their barebones business model banks on passengers sticking to their original plans.

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Leverage Airline Sales and Error Fares

Airlines frequently run sales on select routes, often masking them as seasonal promotions or birthday discounts. While these sales are usually limited in scope, savvy travelers can take advantage of them to score deeply discounted one-way fares.
The key is to be flexible and jump on a sale fare as soon as you see one, even if you don’t have set travel plans. Airlines typically only make a limited number of seats available at the discounted rate before scaling back the promotion.
Another prized opportunity is error fares - pricing mistakes that inadvertently advertise drastically reduced fares. These "mistake fares" are rare but can lead to phenomenal deals if you act fast enough to purchase before the airline fixes the glitch.

Sites like Secret Flying specialize in alerting followers to such error fares the moment they are discovered. However, you'll need to be ready to book immediately before the airline removes the pricing anomaly. Subscribing to sale alerts from your preferred airline can also help you pounce the second a tempting promotion pops up.

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Book Connecting Flights Separately

Another strategy savvy travelers employ to score cheaper one-way tickets is to book connecting flights separately. This approach involves breaking up a single itinerary into two or more one-way flights, rather than booking a round-trip or multi-city ticket.
The key to making this work is finding routes where the cost of booking the individual one-way segments is significantly less than the price of a single round-trip ticket. This can happen for a few reasons - airlines may price certain routes more competitively to fill planes, or they may subsidize connecting flights to bolster their hub operations.
For example, let's say you want to fly from Los Angeles to Paris. The round-trip ticket may cost $1,200, but you notice that a one-way flight from LA to London is only $500, and a separate one-way from London to Paris is $300. By booking these two one-way flights individually, you've saved $400 compared to the single round-trip fare.
However, it's crucial to understand the risks involved. When you book connecting flights separately, you lose the protection of a single itinerary. If your first flight is delayed and you miss your connection, the airline is not obligated to rebook you or cover any additional costs. You'll need to handle the rebooking and any resulting fees yourself.
To minimize the drawbacks, it's best to use this strategy selectively - perhaps for a quick weekend getaway or a one-way hop rather than for a critical business trip. Additionally, make sure to build in ample connection time, ideally at least two hours, to provide a buffer in case of delays.
Another important consideration is baggage. When you book connecting flights separately, you'll need to claim your bags at the first arrival airport and re-check them for the second leg. This can be a hassle, so it's best to travel light and avoid checking bags if possible.

Scoring One-Way Flights on the Cheap: Tips and Tricks to Get the Deal You Want - Watch for One-Way Fare Sales

Airlines frequently offer sales on select routes, often marketed as seasonal promotions or limited-time discounts. While the discounts may be temporary and limited in scope, savvy travelers can capitalize on these opportunities to score exceptionally cheap one-way fares.

The key is to remain vigilant and act quickly when these sales surface. Airlines typically only make a finite number of seats available at the discounted rate before scaling back the promotion. By snatching up a sale fare as soon as it appears - even if you don't have firm travel plans locked in yet - you can secure a rock-bottom price that may vanish within hours or days.
Monitoring for these sales requires some diligence, but the potential savings make it well worth the effort. Subscribing to airline email lists and following travel deal blogs can help you stay on top of the latest promotions. Some airlines may even advertise their sales directly on their websites or social media channels.
Beyond official airline sales, you'll also want to be on the lookout for error fares - pricing mistakes that inadvertently advertise drastically reduced rates. These rare "mistake fares" can lead to phenomenal one-way flight deals, but you'll need to act fast before the airline catches and corrects the glitch.
Websites like Mighty Travels Premium specialize in surfacing these types of error fares and sale prices the moment they're discovered. By signing up for their alerts, you can get notified the instant a compelling one-way opportunity arises, giving you the chance to pounce before the deal disappears.