flight-booking-tricks.liseer.comHere Are 25 Tricks to Save Big That You Can Try
Want to fly for less without sacrificing comfort? Forget the basic tips like “book on a Tuesday” or “use incognito mode.” These 25 powerful travel hacks will help you uncover hidden deals, dodge airline tricks, and save hundreds (or even thousands) on your next flight!
✅ 1. Book Two One-Way Tickets Instead of a Round-Trip
Most travelers assume round-trip tickets are always cheaper. That’s not always true. Some airlines charge less for one-way tickets when competing with budget carriers. Try booking separate airlines for departure and return to see if you get a better deal.
✅ 2. Use “Hidden City” Ticketing to Save Big
A trick called hidden city ticketing can save you 50% or more on airfare. Instead of booking a direct flight, buy a ticket where your destination is a layover, then simply skip the last leg of the trip. Skiplagged.com specializes in finding these routes. Caution: Never check in luggage, as it will go to the final destination.
✅ 3. Use a VPN to Change Your Location for Lower Prices
Flight prices can change based on your location. A flight from New York to Paris might be cheaper if booked from Mexico or India. Use a VPN to change your IP address and compare fares in different countries.
✅ 4. Search for Flights in Different Currencies
Many airlines adjust prices based on the local economy. Sometimes, booking in Brazilian Real, Mexican Pesos, or Indonesian Rupiah is cheaper than in USD. Make sure your credit card has no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges.
✅ 5. Book Tickets for One Person at a Time
Airline booking systems group seats together at the highest available price when purchasing multiple tickets. Try booking one ticket first, then add more individually. You might end up paying less per person!
✅ 6. Check Nearby Airports for Cheaper Fares
Flying into a smaller or alternate airport can save you money. For example, instead of flying into LAX (Los Angeles), check BUR (Burbank) or ONT (Ontario, CA). In New York, try JFK, LGA, or EWR—they can have drastically different prices.
✅ 7. Consider Budget Airlines for Long-Haul Flights
Most people assume budget airlines are only for short trips, but Norwegian, AirAsia X, and French Bee offer cheap international flights. Warning: They charge extra for baggage, meals, and seat selection, so compare the final cost with full-service airlines.
✅ 8. Use “Throwaway Tickets” for Cheaper Business Class Seats
Sometimes, a longer business-class route is cheaper than a direct ticket. Example: A New York to Dubai flight might be expensive, but a New York to Mumbai with a stop in Dubai could be much cheaper. Just skip the last leg.
✅ 9. Look for Flights in a Different Language
Airline websites sometimes offer cheaper fares in their native language. Example: Lufthansa’s German website might have a lower fare than its English version. Try switching the language and checking the price!
✅ 10. Use Google Flights’ “Explore” Feature for Open-Ended Deals
If you’re flexible with your destination, Google Flights Explorer shows you the cheapest places to fly on your chosen dates. Just enter your departure city and leave the destination blank to see deals worldwide.
✅ 11. Follow Twitter Accounts That Post Mistake Fares
Airlines accidentally list flights too cheaply sometimes, and if you book fast, you can snag the deal before they fix it. Follow these Twitter accounts:
• @TheFlightDeal
• @SecretFlying
• @Scott’s Cheap Flights
✅ 12. Check for Flash Sales & Limited-Time Deals
Some airlines drop prices drastically for just a few hours. Sign up for airline newsletters or check sites like Airfarewatchdog and Hopper to get notified of limited-time discounts.
✅ 13. Book International Flights 6-8 Weeks in Advance
For domestic flights, booking 1-3 months ahead is usually best. For international flights, 6-8 weeks in advance often yields the best prices. Last-minute deals exist, but they’re rare.
✅ 14. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays
Flights on these days are usually cheaper because fewer people travel. Avoid Fridays and Sundays, which tend to be the most expensive travel days.
✅ 15. Book at the Right Time of Day
Studies show that early morning (5 AM - 7 AM) or late at night (10 PM - midnight) is the best time to find cheaper fares because fewer people are booking.
✅ 16. Sign Up for Credit Cards That Offer Free Flights
Many travel credit cards offer huge sign-up bonuses worth a free international flight. Some top picks:
• Chase Sapphire Preferred (60,000 points after spending $4,000)
• Capital One Venture Rewards (75,000 miles after spending $4,000)
• American Express Platinum (Premium perks + airport lounge access)
✅ 17. Use Airline Shopping Portals for Extra Miles
Most airlines have shopping portals where you earn miles for purchases at regular stores. Instead of buying from Amazon, shop through the airline’s portal and earn miles on everyday purchases.
✅ 18. Take Advantage of Free Stopovers
Some airlines offer free extended layovers in their hub city. Example:
• Icelandair lets you stay in Reykjavik for up to 7 days for free.
• Turkish Airlines offers free stopovers in Istanbul.
✅ 19. Join Frequent Flyer Programs Even if You Don’t Fly Often
Many people skip frequent flyer programs if they don’t travel regularly. Big mistake. You can earn miles from hotel stays, credit card spending, and dining rewards—not just flights.
✅ 20. Use “Positioning Flights” for Cheaper International Travel
If flights from your city are expensive, book a cheap domestic flight to a nearby major hub, then fly internationally. Example: Instead of booking Miami to Paris, try New York to Paris and get a cheap domestic flight to NYC first.
✅ 21. Use Student or Youth Discounts
If you’re under 26, airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer discounted fares for younger travelers.
✅ 22. Call the Airline for Unpublished Deals
Some airlines offer phone-only discounts. If you see a price online, call the airline directly and ask about any unpublished fares or discounts.
✅ 23. Rent a Car in Another Country for Lower Prices
Need a rental car with your flight? Booking it through a different country’s version of the website can sometimes reduce the price by 30% or more.
✅ 24. Set Up Price Alerts on Multiple Platforms
Use sites like Google Flights, Kayak, and Hopper to set alerts for price drops. Some sites also let you track fare trends to predict the best booking time.
✅ 25. Check for Airline “Mistake City Codes”
Sometimes airlines list the wrong city codes, causing absurdly cheap prices. A flight from ORD (Chicago O’Hare) to NRT (Tokyo Narita) might accidentally be priced as ORD to JRT (a small city in Japan)—leading to deep discounts.
Most people just book a flight without thinking twice. But if you use these 25 powerful hacks, you’ll start saving hundreds or even thousands on airfare—while traveling smarter than ever before!
