BE FLEXIBLE WITH TRAVEL DATES & TIME

It may sound strange, but there is an intriguing way to save hundreds of dollars when booking flights to any destination across the globe. The key is to be flexible with your travel dates and times, even if you have more than one destination on your list.

As part of this strategy, you should consider not only off-peak and peak times, but also different days of the week. Flying on a Friday can significantly increase your expenses compared to flying on a Tuesday.

The majority of flight booking websites offer convenient date scanning options. For example, Hopper provides a monthly overview with color-coded indicators to aid in identifying the best times to fly. You can also use Google Flights for this purpose, albeit with occasional price fluctuations. It is a great tool for determining when to travel most economically throughout the year. When distances increase, these choices become even more crucial. Google Flights gives you the option of selecting a date from a calendar view, which highlights the least expensive days within a two-month span.

If you fly after or during major holidays, you may find prices substantially lower, as can choosing early morning flights or late night flights when fewer people are traveling (who wants to wake up early?). Business travelers tend to increase the price of flights on Fridays and Mondays. Weekdays tend to be more budget-friendly than weekends; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to offer excellent opportunities for thrifty travelers, due to their less crowded nature.

You should avoid peak travel periods, such as Christmas, Easter Break, and the summer holidays, in order to maximize your savings. There are peak times when ticket prices reach their zenith, as airlines take advantage of the undeniable fact that people will travel no matter what. If you choose to book your flight outside of these peak periods, you can save substantial amounts of money.

SEARCHING FOR FLIGHTS ON DIFFERENT AGGREGATOR WEBSITES

There are many flight aggregator websites available, so it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some of the best websites to find cheap flights:

1. Skyscanner: Skyscanner is a popular flight aggregator that allows you to search for flights from a variety of airlines and travel agencies. It also offers a monthly view of flight prices, so you can see when the best time to book is.
2. Hopper: Hopper is an app-based flight aggregator that predicts future flight prices. You can set up price alerts to be notified when the price of a flight drops.
3. Air Wander: Air Wander allows you to extend your layover into a stopover, which can be a great way to save money on flights. You can also use Air Wander to find flights to multiple destinations in one trip.
4. Momondo: Momondo is another popular flight aggregator that offers a variety of features, including price comparisons, flexible dates, and price alerts.
5. Kiwi.com: Kiwi.com is a flight aggregator that allows you to create custom routes by combining flights from different airlines. This can be a great way to save money on flights, especially if you're traveling to multiple destinations.
6. Kayak: Kayak is a well-known flight aggregator that offers a variety of features, including price comparisons, flexible dates, and price alerts.
7. Omio: Omio is a flight aggregator that also offers train tickets and other travel products. It's a great option if you're looking for a one-stop shop for all of your travel needs.
8. Cheapoair: Cheapoair is a flight aggregator that offers a variety of features, including price comparisons, flexible dates, and price alerts. It also has a large database of flights, so you're likely to find the best deals here.
9. Travelocity: Travelocity is a well-known travel website that also offers flights. It has a price match guarantee, so you can be sure you're getting the best deal.

Bonus Tip:

Always book your flights from suppliers that are ABTA or ATOL protected. This means that your money is protected in case the airline goes bankrupt.

BE FLEXIBLE WITH DESTINATIONS

It's best to be flexible with both when you fly and where you fly, but if you want to save the most money and find the cheapest flight, you must at least be flexible with either one.

Search engines for airlines have made it very easy for people to find the cheapest tickets throughout the world. It is no longer necessary to manually search for the cheapest flights, city by city, day by day. You can explore the world with a map of all the flights on your home airport by using tools such as Skyscanner and Google Flights. This allows you to easily compare multiple destinations without having to brainstorm every possible option. It is very likely that you will discover some interesting destinations that you had not previously considered!

Try this money-saving tip if you are not too concerned with where you fly:

1. Visit the Skyscanner website
2. Enter the airport from which you would like to depart
3. In the destination box, click as if you are about to type
4. The 'Everywhere' option should appear in a box
5. Select this option, select your dates, and click the search button
6. The list of flights departing from your selected airport on that date will be ordered from cheapest to most expensive.
7. If you cannot be flexible with dates, but are open to trying somewhere completely new, this is a great option.

You may repeat these steps for other similar websites, such as Google Flights, Momondo, and so on. 

Don't be discouraged by places you have never heard of before. Do a bit of research online and you may discover that it has the sun, sea, sand and everything else you are looking for.

USE AN INCOGNITO WINDOW OR VPN FOR BROWSing FLIGHTS

Here's a highly valuable tip for you! Most flight booking websites use cookies to track your online activity, even unintentionally. By tracking your searches, they learn about your preferred dates and destinations. What do they tend to do when you return to their website? They increase the prices, of course.

It may sound unbelievable, but one of the oldest tricks in the book is to use an incognito window while searching for flights. By blocking cookies when you open an incognito or private browsing window, you can prevent prices from increasing each time you search for the same information. This applies to both laptops and mobile devices.

HOW TO OPEN AN INCOGNITO WINDOW?

If you do not know how to open an incognito window in Google Chrome, go to the "File" menu and select "New Incognito Window." Safari users can do the same by selecting "File" and "New Private Window."

CLEAR YOUR COOKIES

If you forget to browse incognito (it happens to all of us) and you are searching for flights, hotels, or activities, simply clear your cookies. If you are unsure how to do this, Norton, a leading provider of computer security, VPN, and security software, can provide guidance.

OPT FOR PRICE DROP ALERTS OR CHANGES

DThere is a good chance you will be able to secure a great deal when booking on a Monday or Tuesday. Airlines also tend to offer deals in the lead up to major holidays, so it is also worth keeping your eye out before those dates.

In order to simplify the process and keep up to date on price changes, we recommend signing up with platforms such as Fare Compare, Kayak, or Hopper. By saving flights you are interested in, you will receive alerts when the price drops.

When booking flights and tracking fares, timing plays a crucial role. Airline prices fluctuate significantly, sometimes even by up to 50%, every day. They seldom remain at their lowest point for long periods of time. Set up trackers for your preferred dates at Google Flights, for example, if you're planning to visit Miami in September. In this way, you will be notified when a fare changes, allowing you to take advantage of the opportunity when it reaches its lowest level.

Make sure that you are taking advantage of the Google Flights feature that will alert you when fares to various destinations have experienced a remarkable drop. You should monitor these price drop alerts attentively and make your booking as soon as possible in order to save money.id you know that airlines usually launch their sales on a Monday or a Tuesday? So if you’re looking to grab yourself a sweet deal, these are the best days to book. Before big holidays is another key time that airlines tend to advertise deals so it’s worthwhile keeping an eye on these too.

To make the process a whole lot easier for yourself, it’s well worth signing up to somewhere like Fare Compare, Kayak or Hopper so that you can save the flights you’re interested in, and then get alerts when the price drops.

Booking flights is all about timing, and it is all about tracking the fares. Airline fares can fluctuate as much as 50% daily and seldom stay at their lowest for long. So, for instance, if you are keen to visit Miami in September, go on Google Flights now and set a pair of trackers for your chosen travel dates. You will get a notification each time the fare changes, so you can grab it when it’s at its lowest.

Make use of the tool that allows Google Flights to email you when fares to various destinations go phenomenally low. You do need to monitor and pay attention to price drop alerts and make the bookint right away to save that money. 

DO NOT BE CAUGHT OUT BY BAGGAGE COSTS WHEN BOOKING CHEAP FLIGHTS 

Unfortunately, this information may only be revealed after you have entered your details. Did you know that some cheap flights do not include check-in baggage? It is always advisable to book a flight that includes checked baggage from the outset to avoid any surprises and hefty charges. These additional luggage fees can significantly impact your wallet. In order to avoid these fees, you should select the appropriate baggage option when you book your flight.

While it might be tempting to try and get away with carrying extra weight in your carry-on or wearing all your bulkier clothes to the airport, it is essential to consider the specific policies of the airline you will be flying with. It is important to be prepared for potential baggage restrictions when flying, since some airlines are more restrictive than others.

Take the necessary precautions and book a flight that includes checked baggage to ensure a smoother and more cost-effective travel experience.

BOOK EARLY RATHER THAN LAST MINUTE

Last-minute deals may have a reputation for being cheaper, but it is better to book early to ensure the best price!

Fortunately, some flight aggregator sites excel at predicting the ideal booking window. This feature can be helpful when you are uncertain whether or not you are booking too far in advance or too late. If you find yourself in the latter situation and the prices you are seeing are likely to be the lowest, you should book immediately.

According to my experience, it is generally recommended that you book your flight two to three months in advance; however, if you intend to travel during the peak season in your destination, you should book around five months in advance. As a result of increased demand in many destinations worldwide, waiting for last-minute deals is no longer a reliable option.

Taking advantage of early booking offers you the opportunity to secure your travel plans, ensure peace of mind, and potentially take advantage of better deals before prices rise closer to your departure date.

SIGN UP FOR CREDIT CARDS WITH TRAVEL REWARDS OR AIR MILES 

If you intend to purchase flights, it is always a good idea to use a credit card with travel rewards or benefits. For more information on which cards we recommend, please refer to our dedicated blog on travel credit cards. Many of these cards have been personally tested and utilized, saving thousands of dollars in foreign exchange rates and other hidden fees while traveling.

When you know your travel plans, it is advisable to sign up for a travel rewards credit card. The airline rewards program is the best way for avid travelers like myself to earn free flights, travel perks, and complimentary hotel stays. The benefits of these programs usually include flight upgrades, generous welcome bonuses, rideshare credits for Uber and Lyft, access to exclusive events, airport lounge access, and many other benefits.

It is crucial to enroll in a reward program regardless of how often you fly. The best part is that you do not have to spend excessively to accumulate rewards. I personally accumulate over a million miles each year without flying or spending additional money, resulting in numerous free flights, often in business class, for my family and myself.

By being savvy with your finances and collecting points and miles (commonly known as "travel hacking"), you can travel the world for very little or even free.

There are many airlines offering incredible value by offering airfare sales specifically tailored to redeem mileage points. For example, Delta frequently offers flash sales, sometimes offering international travel for as little as 7,500 SkyMiles. Flying Blue Miles holders are also offered regular discounts through monthly promo rewards from Air France/KLM. Taking advantage of these award travel sales is one of the easiest ways to maximize the value of your miles.

It is worth considering the "Miles Plus Cash" option, which allows you to book HK Express tickets with a combination of miles and cash, offering great discounts. Cathay Pacific members are also able to benefit from exclusive deals, enhancing the value of their membership.

Purchasing tickets via miles offers excellent flexibility as well. For a nominal fee, you can often postpone tickets purchased via miles.

It is important to check for sign-up or referral bonuses before signing up for any credit card that offers travel rewards. You can sometimes earn enough points to cover your travel expenses by using these bonuses, saving you the hassle of waiting months to accumulate the points you need. The key is to keep an eye out for sign-up offers!

BONUS TIP: 

It is worth considering the British Airways American Express® Credit Card, which occasionally offers outstanding sign-up bonuses when certain spending requirements are met within a certain timeframe. In addition, a Companion Voucher will be provided if you spend £12,000 on your card within a Cardmembership year.

Take advantage of these travel rewards and credit card options to enhance your travel experience and save money at the same time.

MIX & MATCH AIRLINE

It is important to bear in mind that if you book your flights directly with a single airline, you are limited to that airline and its partner carriers. This can limit the options you have when planning an itinerary and may not always result in the most favorable savings.

While booking a complete journey on a single ticket is convenient, it may not be the most cost-effective option. Consider booking separate flights with different airlines to maximize your savings. Take the following example: If you are travelling from New York to Paris with a layover in London, book your New York to London flight with one airline and your London to Paris flight with another. This allows you to find the best deal by comparing multiple airlines. It requires more effort, but the potential savings and increased flexibility make it worthwhile.

Third-party booking websites such as Kiwi.com specialize in putting together trips using flights from multiple airlines to ensure you receive the best deal. If you are not satisfied with the fares you find on an airline's website, try booking separate segments through these platforms. You may be able to find a great deal!

When planning a multi-destination trip, consider booking different legs of your journey with different airlines at different locations. For instance, we booked our London to Bali flight and your Vietnam to London flight through Emirates. Other domestic flights within Asia were booked through Kiwi.com and Skyscanner. In taking advantage of this option, we were able to purchase all of our flights, including checked luggage, for £3,000 instead of £4,500, which resulted in a total savings of £1,500 that we used to cover our accommodation costs. A little inconvenience can result in significant savings.

SEARCH FOR TICKETS IN OTHER CURRENCIES ON OTHER WEBSITES

In the event that your country's currency is currently strong relative to others worldwide, you may be able to find flights that are cheaper in a country with a weaker currency.

For instance, if the UK pound is strong while the US dollar is weak, I discovered that a one-way flight from London to Houston would cost $1,000 USD when I was in this situation. However, by searching on the Houston version of the airline's website, I found the exact same ticket priced at $600 USD.

Surprisingly, it was the same airline, same flight, and same booking class—just quoted in a different currency. While this tip may not always work, it often proves successful enough to warrant a try when your currency is performing well.

OneTravel is an excellent platform that displays prices in USD and collects payment in the same currency. If your currency is strong, you can benefit significantly by purchasing tickets through this website. For accurate currency conversion rates, XE is a reliable source.

BONUS TIP:

To maximize your savings, I recommend using a credit card that does not charge foreign exchange (FX) rates. A comprehensive list of such cards can be found on our blog dedicated to Travel Credit Cards. By combining these strategies, you will be able to save even more money on your airfare expenses.

FOLLOW & KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR FLASH SALES 

As it's really hard to concretly predict what is the cheapest day to book flight fares, due to dynamic prices and airlines changing their strategoes to continously to stay competitve in this market but still be able to breakeven. 

Travel Deal Tuesday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be the best days to score some excellent deals. Yes, you may not find good travel deals every Tuesday, but you might spot a deal or two on specific Tuesdays.

This will you are always in the know for when they are holding a sale! When travelling the world fulltime you tend to be pretty flexible on your next destination, so if a sale suddenly pops up while you’re thinking about where to book next, you’re in luck!

By following airlines on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, this saves you checking their website whenever you remember and potentially missing out on some awesome sale periods. The airlines can vary quite a bit depending on what part of the world you’re in and where you want to fly budget, or in comfort (in most cases probably budget cause save those $$$ where you can!).

You could also sign up to be on the mailing list for your favourite airlines. Depending on how full your inbox gets though, this may be more of a pain than it is helpful.

Usually when the airlines have a big sale, they will be posting it on their social channels as well as sending out an email so my preference is to follow them there as they try to adertise sales on different platforms inclduing OTA at different times so the key here is monitoring and acting fast than later!

BEFORE FINALIZING THE BOOKING, PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK THE AIRLINE'S WEBSITE

As you search for cheap flights, it can be easy to overlook this important tip: once you have narrowed down your options and decided on the airline you wish to fly with, take a moment to visit its official website.

In some instances, an airline's website may provide a better deal than booking through a third-party website, which is surprising. Booking platforms typically charge airlines a percentage fee for facilitating the booking, similar to how travel agencies do. In response to this, some airlines offer a small discount when you book directly through their website. Performing a quick check may reveal that the airline's direct booking option is more cost-effective, so it would be worthwhile to consider this option.