Traveling has always been my passion, but I realized early on that it can be a pricey venture. My budget was tight as a college student mainly surviving on ramen noodles and part-time jobs. Yet, financial constraints couldn’t suppress the desire to explore new cultures and landscapes. Thus began my journey of hunting for cheap airfares.
Finding cheap fares is similar to treasure hunting; it takes time, patience, and a bit of luck. There are numerous websites claiming to offer ‘the best deals’, but don’t let them fool you into buying tickets at first glance. You have to cross-check these offers with the airline’s official websites as sometimes they might have better prices hidden in their special deals or promotional offers sections. Furthermore, flexibility about travel dates and destinations can work wonders when saving money on flights.
By leveraging comparison tools, you’ve indeed begun well. However, you can employ several more strategies to reduce your flight expenses.
Use our flight aggregators – we have a few.
A crucial tip I learned while scouring the internet for cheap fares was that airlines release ticket prices on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, which are generally cheaper than other days of the week. Another trick up my sleeve is using incognito mode while browsing so airlines cannot track search history and hike prices based on frequent searches for specific destinations. By employing these strategies, I’ve managed to satisfy my wanderlust and maintain a healthy balance in my bank account.
Another advice is that not all airlines are listed on Google Flights. For instance, Southwest doesn’t appear in their database. If you live close to an airport, it’s necessary to either manually search for these airlines or subscribe to their email newsletters. Remember that local and regional airlines may not always be accessible or available at a lower cost if you book directly through them. Extra suggestion: Start using travel-friendly credit cards that accumulate points which can be redeemed for your flights instead of spending cash!
