7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024

Post Published August 12, 2024

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7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Leverage Error Fares and Glitch Deals





7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024

In 2024, travelers can leverage error fares and glitch deals to score cheap flights.

Error fares, typically 75-90% discounted flights, require quick booking before airlines correct the pricing mistake.

Glitch deals, resulting from technical issues, can also lead to significant savings, especially when combined with tactics like booking round-trip flights with multi-city itineraries.

Monitoring specialized fare alert websites and social media channels can help uncover these limited-time offers, while flexibility in travel dates and booking directly with airlines can enhance the chances of securing these unconventional deals.

Mistake fares can offer discounts of up to 90% compared to regular flight prices, making them an incredibly lucrative opportunity for savvy travelers.

Airlines often correct these error fares within a matter of hours, so booking a mistake fare quickly is crucial to securing the deal before it disappears.

Flexibility in travel dates is key when pursuing error fares, as the discounted flights may depart on unorthodox days or have unusual routing.

Glitch deals, similar to error fares, can arise from technical issues in airline pricing algorithms, allowing travelers to access fares significantly lower than market rates.

Utilizing multi-city itineraries or strategic layovers can help travelers capitalize on glitch deals, as these unconventional booking techniques can sometimes circumvent pricing errors.

Frequent flyer program memberships and credit card travel rewards can further enhance the savings when booking flights, especially when combined with error fares or glitch deals.

What else is in this post?

  1. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Leverage Error Fares and Glitch Deals
  2. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Book Open-Jaw Tickets for Multi-City Adventures
  3. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Utilize Fare Comparison Tools Beyond the Usual Suspects
  4. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Explore Fifth Freedom Flights for Unexpected Savings
  5. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Take Advantage of Airline Mistake Fares
  6. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Combine Budget Airlines for Long-Haul Routes
  7. 7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Use VPNs to Access Geo-Specific Flight Deals

7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Book Open-Jaw Tickets for Multi-City Adventures





Open-jaw tickets allow travelers to fly into one city and return from another, eliminating the need to backtrack and providing greater flexibility for multi-city adventures.

By using a single ticket for an open-jaw itinerary, travelers can benefit from better protection against delays and disruptions compared to purchasing separate one-way flights.

Additionally, the process of booking open-jaw tickets is relatively straightforward, as flight search engines like Google Flights and Expedia offer a multicity option to easily customize the desired cities.

Open-jaw tickets allow travelers to fly into one city and depart from another, enabling them to explore multiple destinations without the need to return to their original starting point.

By booking open-jaw tickets, travelers can often save time and money compared to purchasing separate one-way flights, as the itinerary is protected against delays and disruptions under a single booking.

flying into one city and departing from another, one leg of the journey being one-way, and combined itineraries that utilize different airlines.

Leveraging flight search aggregators can help travelers find the best deals when booking open-jaw tickets, as these platforms allow for easy comparison of prices across multiple airlines and routes.

Flexibility in travel dates is crucial when booking open-jaw tickets, as adjusting the departure and return dates can often lead to significant cost savings.

Using rewards points or airline miles can further enhance the savings when booking open-jaw tickets, providing travelers with the opportunity to maximize the value of their loyalty program memberships.

Exploring lesser-known local airlines that may offer competitive rates can be a valuable strategy when planning multi-city adventures with open-jaw tickets, as these carriers can sometimes provide more affordable options.


7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Utilize Fare Comparison Tools Beyond the Usual Suspects





7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024

In 2024, travelers looking to score cheap flights should explore unconventional fare comparison tools beyond the traditional options.

Leveraging features like flexible date searches and alerts can help uncover more affordable airfare, especially when combined with strategies like booking during shoulder seasons or off-peak days.

Additionally, considering alternative airports and monitoring airlines' direct channels for exclusive offers can further enhance the chances of finding the best flight deals.

In 2024, the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in flight search engines is expected to become more widespread, allowing travelers to visually explore and compare destinations before booking their flights.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered flight prediction algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated, enabling travelers to anticipate and capitalize on potential price drops for specific routes and travel dates.

The rise of decentralized flight booking platforms, leveraging blockchain technology, is providing travelers with more transparency and control over flight pricing and availability.

Biometric identification systems, such as facial recognition and iris scanning, are being integrated into airport check-in and boarding processes, reducing the need for traditional paper-based travel documents.

Dynamic pricing models employed by airlines are becoming more complex, requiring travelers to constantly monitor and adjust their booking strategies to find the best fares.

The growing popularity of "flight sharing" services, where travelers can split the cost of private aircraft charters, is providing a new avenue for affordable air travel, especially for group trips.

Advancements in aviation battery technology are leading to the emergence of more eco-friendly electric aircraft options, which could potentially disrupt the traditional flight booking landscape in the coming years.

Predictive analytics tools are being leveraged by some travel agencies to identify and offer personalized flight recommendations based on a traveler's past booking behavior and preferences.


7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Explore Fifth Freedom Flights for Unexpected Savings





Fifth freedom flights, where airlines can operate routes between two foreign countries, offer travelers an opportunity to experience premium services at potentially lower prices.

These flights, approved by civil aviation authorities, often provide superior amenities and seating options compared to regular flights.

By carefully planning trips that include these fifth freedom routes, travelers can not only save money but also enjoy a more comfortable journey with top-rated international carriers.

This approach could be an effective strategy for finding discounted airfare in 2024, as it facilitates competition among airlines and enhances consumer choice.

Fifth freedom flights allow airlines to operate routes between two foreign countries, often resulting in lower fares and better service as airlines compete for passengers.

These flights must be approved by civil aviation authorities in all three countries involved, ensuring a complex regulatory landscape that travelers can navigate to their advantage.

By carefully planning trips to include fifth freedom routes, travelers can access premium airline experiences, such as superior seating and frequent flyer programs, at a fraction of the usual cost.

The facilitation of competition among airlines on fifth freedom routes can lead to reduced fares and more varied seating options, further enhancing consumer choice and savings.

Some lesser-known low-cost carriers have strategically leveraged fifth freedom rights to offer affordable flights on international itineraries, providing travelers with unexpected value.

Combining the benefits of fifth freedom flights with other unconventional strategies, such as booking during off-peak seasons or utilizing flight comparison tools, can maximize the potential for finding cheap airfare.

The growth of fifth freedom flights has been particularly pronounced in regions like Southeast Asia, where airlines have capitalized on the opportunities presented by these unique routing arrangements.

While the regulatory framework surrounding fifth freedom flights can be complex, savvy travelers who invest time in research and planning can unlock significant savings on their journeys.


7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Take Advantage of Airline Mistake Fares





7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024

Airline mistake fares can lead to substantial savings for travelers, with examples of roundtrip tickets priced as low as $23 to Puerto Rico or $63 to Chile.

However, finding and booking these mistake fares requires vigilance, as they are often corrected quickly by airlines.

Dedicated resources that actively search for and notify subscribers about mistake fares can help travelers maximize their chances of scoring these discounted flights.

In 2024, airline mistake fares have become more frequent due to the increased complexity of airline pricing algorithms, with errors leading to fares that can be up to 90% discounted.

Some notable examples of recent mistake fares include roundtrip tickets to Puerto Rico for as low as $23 and to Chile for $63, providing travelers with extraordinary savings.

Dedicated monitoring services and online communities have emerged to help travelers quickly identify and capitalize on these elusive mistake fares, which are often corrected by airlines within a matter of hours.

Booking flexibility, such as adjusting travel dates and being open to alternative airports, is crucial when pursuing mistake fares, as the discounted flights may have unconventional routing or departure times.

Leveraging frequent flyer program memberships and credit card travel rewards can further enhance the savings when combining mistake fares with loyalty program benefits.

Artificial intelligence-powered flight prediction algorithms are becoming increasingly adept at anticipating potential mistake fares, allowing travelers to proactively set alerts and monitor for these limited-time opportunities.

The rise of decentralized flight booking platforms, utilizing blockchain technology, is providing more transparency in the mistake fare market, enabling travelers to access these deals with greater confidence.

Biometric identification systems being implemented at airports are streamlining the booking and check-in process for travelers, potentially enabling faster response times when securing mistake fares.

Dynamic pricing models employed by airlines are becoming more sophisticated, requiring travelers to constantly adapt their strategies to identify and capitalize on pricing errors.

The growing popularity of "flight sharing" services, where travelers can split the cost of private aircraft charters, is creating new avenues for affordable air travel that could potentially intersect with mistake fares.


7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Combine Budget Airlines for Long-Haul Routes





Budget airlines have emerged as viable options for long-haul flights in 2024, offering low fares on routes connecting Europe to the United States and Asia.

Travelers can now combine flights from different budget carriers to optimize costs and piece together international journeys.

Platforms like Google Flights and KAYAK can help identify these budget airline combinations, though travelers should be mindful of potential complexities like separate check-ins.

Budget airlines like Scoot, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Eurowings Discover have emerged as viable options for long-haul flights, offering low fares on routes connecting Europe to the United States and Asia.

Travelers can combine flights from different budget airlines to optimize costs, allowing them to piece together long-haul journeys by booking separate legs, with partnerships like that of French Bee and Alaska Airlines facilitating the process.

Early booking is emphasized as a strategy to secure cheaper flights in 2024, as prices generally increase as the departure date approaches.

Platforms like Google Flights and KAYAK are useful tools for finding budget-friendly flight options, with the ability to set price alerts to monitor potential drops.

Budget airlines often operate independently on long-haul routes, enabling travelers to mix and match different carriers to achieve significant savings on their journeys.

Utilizing booking platforms that can help identify these airline combinations is crucial, but travelers should be mindful of layover times and the need for separate check-ins, which can add to the travel time and complexity.

Exploring unconventional techniques, such as flying into different airports, leveraging airline alliances for connecting flights, and monitoring error fares, can yield even more affordable options for long-haul travel.

Flexibility with travel dates and times is essential, as it can reveal lower fare opportunities, and signing up for fare alerts and utilizing loyalty programs with budget airlines can further enhance the chances of securing cheap flights.

The rise of virtual reality (VR) technology in flight search engines is expected to become more prevalent in 2024, allowing travelers to visually explore and compare destinations before booking their flights.

Advancements in aviation battery technology are leading to the emergence of more eco-friendly electric aircraft options, which could potentially disrupt the traditional flight booking landscape in the coming years.

Predictive analytics tools are being leveraged by some travel agencies to identify and offer personalized flight recommendations based on a traveler's past booking behavior and preferences, further enhancing the potential for finding affordable long-haul options.


7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024 - Use VPNs to Access Geo-Specific Flight Deals





7 Unconventional Ways to Score Cheap Flights in 2024

Using a VPN can significantly enhance your chances of finding geo-specific flight deals by allowing you to access prices that are only available in certain countries.

Beyond using a VPN, there are various unconventional methods to score cheap flights in 2024, such as leveraging error fares and glitch deals, booking open-jaw tickets, and exploring alternative flight comparison tools.

Using a VPN can significantly impact flight prices by allowing users to search from different geographical locations, thereby accessing geo-specific flight deals.

Connecting to servers in countries known for lower ticket prices or the airline's country of origin can yield substantial savings, with one example showing a $47 difference for the same flight when switching the VPN location to London.

Repeated searches through various server locations can maximize the chances of finding the lowest fares, as airlines often tailor their pricing based on geographic region.

Beyond using a VPN, setting price alerts can help monitor fluctuations in airfare, while booking during "mistake fare" periods can yield incredible savings if airlines accidentally offer incorrect rates.

Flexibility with travel dates and destinations can also open up opportunities for lower fares, as airlines may offer discounts for flights during off-peak seasons or to less popular destinations.

The rise of virtual reality (VR) technology in flight search engines is expected to become more widespread in 2024, allowing travelers to visually explore and compare destinations before booking.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered flight prediction algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated, enabling travelers to anticipate and capitalize on potential price drops for specific routes and travel dates.

The growing popularity of "flight sharing" services, where travelers can split the cost of private aircraft charters, is providing a new avenue for affordable air travel, especially for group trips.

Advancements in aviation battery technology are leading to the emergence of more eco-friendly electric aircraft options, which could potentially disrupt the traditional flight booking landscape in the coming years.

Predictive analytics tools are being leveraged by some travel agencies to identify and offer personalized flight recommendations based on a traveler's past booking behavior and preferences.

Biometric identification systems, such as facial recognition and iris scanning, are being integrated into airport check-in and boarding processes, reducing the need for traditional paper-based travel documents.

The rise of decentralized flight booking platforms, leveraging blockchain technology, is providing travelers with more transparency and control over flight pricing and availability.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.