Insider Secrets: How We’ve Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting
Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - The Art of Flexible Travel
Being flexible is one of the keys to finding cheap airfare. While it's nice to have your travel plans set in stone, staying open to different options will serve you well when flight searching.
First, don't get married to specific dates. Flying a day earlier or later can make a big difference in fares. Weekends tend to be most expensive, so try shifting your trip to include more weekdays. Also look at flying midweek instead of Monday or Friday.
Consider the length of your trip as well. Many airlines use demand-based pricing models, so a 2-week vacation may be priced very differently than a 10-day getaway. Don't be afraid to adjust your trip by a few days to snag a better deal.
Expand your airport options too. Searching multiple airports within driving distance almost always reveals lower fares at one or the other. And don't forget to check alternate destination airports that are an easy ground transfer away. Expanding your options geographically opens up chances for deals.
Finally, don't limit yourself to nonstop flights. While direct routes are convenient, one-stop itineraries can be much cheaper. As long as the layover isn't excessive, a connection can represent big savings. Also look at red-eyes or early morning flights to maximize your time and find reduced fares.
What else is in this post?
- Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - The Art of Flexible Travel
- Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - Hacking Airline Sales and Error Fares
- Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - Following Fare Alerts and Setting Price Drop Notifications
Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - Hacking Airline Sales and Error Fares
One overlooked way to find cheap flights is to take advantage of airline sales and error fares. Many airlines will periodically offer major sales, especially during slower travel periods. Sign up for email alerts from your favorite carriers to be notified right when a sale drops. Act fast, as the deeply discounted fares go quickly.
Set calendar reminders for big sales too. For example, Black Friday and Cyber Monday see excellent flight deals every year. And always check airline social media on major holidays, as flash sales often pop up.
Error fares represent one of the best opportunities to score an insanely cheap flight. Pricing mistakes happen more often than you’d think, resulting in fares that are a fraction of normal prices. The key is catching them before the airline realizes their mistake and pulls the fare.
Mistake fares tend to disappear within 24 hours, sometimes much quicker. That’s why services that alert subscribers to error fares can be extremely valuable. But you can also find them yourself by searching random city pairs and being alert to prices that seem too good to be true. Act immediately once you spot a mistake fare because seats are limited.
When booking error fares, use a credit card with robust travel protections. Airlines will often honor the ticket purchase but may try to get you to cancel in exchange for a voucher. Know your rights and stand your ground if you wish to travel. Document everything too, in case you need to dispute a cancellation down the road.
Insider Secrets: How We've Been Finding Cheap Flights for 4 Years and Counting - Following Fare Alerts and Setting Price Drop Notifications
One surefire way to consistently find cheap flights is to take advantage of fare alert services and price drop notifications. These tools act as your personal flight deal scouts, monitoring airfares 24/7 and alerting you the moment a great price pops up.
The key is signing up for alerts that cover the routes and destinations you're most interested in. Many airlines, online travel agencies, and third-party sites offer this functionality. Simply input your preferred departure and arrival cities, travel dates, and cabin class, and the alerts will start rolling in.
Some services even let you save multiple alerts, so you can track price movements for several potential trips at once. This is especially useful if you have flexible travel plans and want to jump on whatever deals emerge.
Another handy feature is the ability to set price drop notifications. This allows you to monitor fares for a specific route and receive an alert as soon as the price dips below a threshold you set. This helps you identify the optimal time to book before prices rise again. It's like having your own personal price watcher constantly on the lookout for deals.
When an alert comes through, it's crucial to act fast. The best fares often sell out within hours or even minutes. Be ready to hop online and complete your booking right away. While the process may seem high-pressure, the payoff of scoring a cheap flight can make it well worth the effort.