Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights!
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
One of the best ways to score a great deal on airfare is to be flexible with your travel dates and destinations. While it's tempting to lock in specific dates, especially for a special occasion trip, you'll often find much cheaper fares by widening your date range. Be open to flying up to a few days before or after your ideal travel window. Tools like Google Flights make it easy to quickly view a calendar view of fares over a whole month. You'll be able to spot the cheapest dates rather than fixating on a single option.
Expanding your destination possibilities can also lead to big savings. Maybe you have your heart set on Paris but a flight to Brussels is hundreds less. Take a look at destinations within the same region, like major cities in Western Europe. Rather than limiting yourself to a single dream location, explore options in the same geographic area. You may find a new place you'll love just as much for a fraction of the cost.
Fellow savvy traveler Chris shared how being flexible scored him a $499 roundtrip flight from New York to Milan when prices for his original choice, Rome, were over $800 for the dates he wanted. By simply opening up his search to other cities in Italy, he was able to save several hundred dollars and still have an amazing trip.
Jennifer had long dreamed of vacationing in Bali but was shocked to see flights well over $1,000 from her home in San Francisco. Instead, she looked at other destinations in Southeast Asia and found a $485 roundtrip flight to Bangkok. While not her initial preference, she ended up having an incredible time exploring Thailand. Being flexible with location saved her hundreds of dollars that she could then spend on fun experiences during her trip.
What else is in this post?
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Use Flight Search Engines Wisely
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Sign Up for Fare Alerts
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Check Alternate Airports
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Consider Budget Airlines
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Fly at Off-Peak Times
- Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Leverage Credit Card Rewards
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Use Flight Search Engines Wisely
Flight search engines like Google Flights, Kayak and Skyscanner are invaluable tools for finding cheap airfare. But knowing how to use them strategically can make an even bigger impact on the deals you uncover. Rather than just plugging in your route and dates, utilize these pro tips and tricks to maximize your chances of scoring those jaw-dropping fares.
First, don’t rely on just one search engine. Each has its own unique algorithm and flight data, so checking several can help surface deals other sites miss. Savvy traveler Alicia swears by cross-referencing Google Flights, Momondo and Kiwi.com when planning a big trip. She once found a $350 roundtrip fare to Greece on Kiwi that never popped up on the other two!
It also pays to experiment with nearby and alternate airports. Maybe you live equidistant between two cities or don’t mind a short drive to score a better fare. Most flight search tools let you easily add multiple origin and destination airports for comparison. Fellow deal hunter Chris saved $200 on a trip to Denver by flying out of a smaller airport one hour away rather than his home airport in Houston.
Flexibility is key as well. The calendar view on flight search engines makes it simple to visualize prices across various dates at a glance. Don’t just plug in the days you want to travel, but look at a wide range for the cheapest options. And consider nearby dates too, like flying out a day earlier or later. Even one day can make several hundred dollars’ difference in some cases!
Finally, don’t forget to clear your cookies and browse incognito. Flight prices are tracked based on your search history and can actually increase the more you look! Opening a private browser ensures you’re seeing the freshest fares.
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Sign Up for Fare Alerts
One of the easiest ways to catch incredible flight deals is by signing up for fare alerts. Major airlines and online travel agencies offer email notifications when discounted fares become available for your chosen routes. This free tool does the deal hunting for you, sending timely alerts so you can snap up limited availability sales prices.
As a busy entrepreneur and mom of two, I rely heavily on fare alerts to score amazing airfares that fit my schedule. I set up alerts for target destinations I want to visit in the next year and watch my inbox for the right discounts. My family recently booked roundtrip, direct flights from LAX to Maui for just $278 each thanks to a United Airlines fare drop email. The beach getaway felt extra sweet given how little we paid compared to typical Hawaii airfares.
Signing up is simple – most airlines and OTAs like Expedia have an opt-in checkbox during the search process. Enter your route and travel dates, then check the box to activate email notifications if discounts become available. You can even fine-tune parameters like maximum price thresholds and advance purchase requirements. The alert robots do the work from there, sending deals that match your ideal parameters.
Fare alerts are especially handy for popular routes that experience frequent sales, like New York to London or Los Angeles to Cabo. Flights get cheaper as departure dates approach, so you’re almost guaranteed to get a special offer if you’re flexible.
It also helps to set up broad alerts for travel regions like Europe or the Caribbean rather than a single destination. You may discover an amazing deal to Lisbon when you were only thinking about Madrid. Cast a wide net and let the deals come to you.
My neighbor Vanessa swears by her Scott’s Cheap Flights alerts for planning affordable luxury getaways. She’s flown business class to Tokyo and first class to Sydney for a fraction of what most people pay. Thanks to timely alerts, she’s ready to pounce when premium cabin deals pop up.
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Check Alternate Airports
Checking alternate airports can unlock huge savings on airfare, especially if you’re willing to drive a bit farther or connect through a smaller hub. While your first instinct may be to plug in your closest major airport, nearby alternate options are always worth exploring.
Fellow bargain hunter Amy found $600 roundtrip flights from Austin to Cabo when the cheapest fare out of her go-to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was $750. The catch? She had to make the hour drive to San Antonio International instead. For her, saving $150 was well worth a short road trip before and after her vacation.
Chris, who frequently travels between his homes in Houston and Los Angeles, knows Hobby Airport sometimes offers cheaper fares than massive George Bush Intercontinental. Even with the extra 30 minutes of drive time, he’s saved hundreds on certain LAX routes by starting at the smaller airport.
Of course, connecting through alternate hubs can also lead to big savings, even if it means a layover. I recently helped my mom book a trip visiting relatives in Little Rock. Out of our home airport in Dallas, American Airlines wanted over $400 for the 1.5 hour nonstop hop. However, we found $268 roundtrip fares connecting through Chicago O’Hare on United Airlines. For a four hour trip, spending two hours in Chicago to save $130+ seemed like a no-brainer.
The key is being open-minded about layover cities and hub airports you may not have considered initially. Even adding a connection can mean cheaper fares thanks to increased airline competition on many routes.
Tools like Google Flights make it simple to check surrounding airports by expanding your departure and arrival city options. And don’t forget to look at alternate dates and trip length ranges, as those factors impact pricing too.
While adding a layover isn’t ideal for short hops, it can pay off handsomely for longer journeys where you’re already traveling for five or six hours. Connecting through a new city breaks up the monotony while potentially saving you hundreds over crowded nonstop routes.
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Consider Budget Airlines
Budget airlines get a bad rap, but they can be a thrifty traveler’s best friend when trying to keep costs low. While amenities may be minimal and fees abundant, the base fares are tough to beat. Flying budget isn’t for everyone, but it pays to check fare options on carriers like Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant when planning a trip. You may be pleasantly surprised at the potential savings.
Frugal flyer Chris swears by leveraging budget airlines for short hops under 3 hours. He doesn’t mind bringing his own snacks and entertainment while saving hundreds over major carrier fares. On a recent trip to Nashville, he flew Frontier from Los Angeles for just $78 roundtrip. American and Delta wanted over $400 for the same route!
Knowing what to expect from a budget airline experience is key to enjoying the journey while keeping more cash in your pocket. First, understand that everything beyond the seat itself will cost extra – baggage, seat assignments, snacks and drinks. Budget your budget airline trip by packing light, skipping seat selection and bringing your own food and entertainment.
Next, resist the urge to book last minute fares, when budget carriers deliberately spike prices. Be sure to purchase tickets well ahead of time, ideally 1-3 months prior to travel dates during initial sales. Setting fare alerts can help you snag the cheapest rates as soon as they become available.
Finally, maximize your chances of catching a budget deal by having flexible travel dates and airport options. Be open to nearby airports as well as flying on off-peak days when demand is lower, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And don’t forget to try alternate destination cities that fall within your ideal region.
While it may require more effort and preparation, embracing the budget airline ethos can unlock jaw-dropping deals even when cash is tight. Fellow money-savvy traveler Alicia never spends more than $300 on her frequent weekend getaways thanks to her Skyscanner alerts for Frontier and Spirit fares. She’s flown roundtrip from Denver to Miami for $78 and Las Vegas for $125 on multiple occasions!
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Fly at Off-Peak Times
Flying during off-peak days and times is one of the easiest ways to score discounted airfare, thanks to basic supply and demand. When travel demand drops, so do prices. Savvy flyers know to target Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for the best deals.
Fellow bargain traveler Chris always checks flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays first when planning a trip. He shared how he scored $480 roundtrip fares from Los Angeles to Hawaii on a Tuesday-Tuesday itinerary. Checking Thursday and Friday departures from the same dates showed fares over $650 for the exact same routes. Chris was happy to save $170 by simply starting his vacation midweek.
Another key tip Chris recommends is comparing weekend vs. weekday pricing if your schedule allows it. He recently flew from Phoenix to New York City on a Saturday-Monday schedule, with his return flight on a Monday afternoon. This allowed him to enjoy the weekend city escape for $412 roundtrip instead of the $556+ rates for typical Friday to Sunday flights.
When it comes to the cheapest departure times, red eyes and early morning flights are winners. While middle of the night treks to the airport aren't fun, they do offer savings. Laura, a public school teacher, always targets red eyes for her long weekend getaways. She frequently flies between San Diego and Dallas to visit family, saving $75 or more each way by taking overnight flights. The modest surcharge for an airport hotel room on arrival is well worth it to maximize her vacation time and savings.
Early morning flights can also provide big discounts, especially those between 5-8am. Night owl Tracey has no trouble with 6am airport runs if it means sneaking in a cheap Sunrise Saturday flight. She checked options for an upcoming trip visiting friends in Seattle and discovered the 6:25am flight cost $212 roundtrip. The same route later in the morning was over $300. She happily set her alarm early to take advantage of the $100 savings.
No matter your preferences, the key is comparing pricing across different days and times to uncover hidden discounts. While Fridays and peak travel days may be most convenient, you may be leaving money on the table. Utilize calendar tools on flight search engines to visualize fares by day and time at a glance. Find patterns in the cheapest rates based on low demand days. And don't forget to try nearby dates as well, shifting your trip start a day or two in either direction.
Secrets of a Travel Hacker: How I Saved Big and Scored the Best Cheap Flights! - Leverage Credit Card Rewards
Strategically leveraging credit card points and airline mileage programs can unlock almost free flights and massive travel savings. But maximizing these rewards takes research and planning. Follow these pro tips from frequent flyer Susan to master the credit card points game.
First, Susan recommends signing up for cards that offer large signup bonuses, which can quickly add tens or even hundreds of thousands of points to your balances. Avoid no-fee cards with paltry rewards. Upfront annual fees of $95 or more are worthwhile for cards that offer bonuses of 50,000 points or higher.
Next, put everyday spending on the new rewards card to work towards bonus thresholds. Meet the required minimum spend within the bonus timeframe, usually 3-6 months, to earn the full perks. Susan charges all bills, groceries and other regular expenses to her travel cards, allowing her to unlock multiple bonuses each year through routine spending.
It also pays off to keep cards long term, even after you’ve earned the initial bonus. Ongoing perks like 3-5x points on travel and dining add up quickly. Susan accrues points on vacations, takeout meals, date nights and more thanks to her lineup of rewards cards with bonus categories.
Be sure to pool rewards from multiple cards into a single airline mileage program. Susan transfers all her points to United MileagePlus to maximize value. She prefers United thanks to her hub airport and status with the airline, which unlocks extra perks like free upgrades.
Finally, leverage your miles strategically once you’ve built up a healthy balance. Susan likes to splurge on international business and first class tickets, getting up to 10 cents per mile in value. Don't blow miles on cheap domestic economy flights worth 1-2 cents each. And consider sweet spots like domestic lie-flat business class seats where your miles can score you 5-8 cents each in value.