12 BEST WAYS TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

I’m confident that at some point, we’ve all found ourselves searching for
hours upon hours for cheap flights.
Let’s face it, it’s a horrendous task that both you and I dread - it’s not
always something that we think about when we’re caught up in the
excitement of choosing a destination or booking into a hotel.
However, there are ways to reduce the amount of money, stress and
time you waste when booking your next flight:

1. Don’t waste any time

If you’ve got your destination and dates confirmed, book your flights as
soon as possible. Don’t let any time go to waste!
This is because, generally, airline tickets increase in price as the flight
date approaches.

2. Choose your flight search engines carefully

Although all search engines have inflated flight costs due to taking cuts
from affiliate airlines, some inflate much higher than others. Below are
some search engines offering the cheapest flights for your holiday:

•  Skyscanner - http://www.skyscanner.net
•  AirFare Watchdog - http://www.airfarewatchdog.com

•  Momondo - http://www.momondo.com
•  Cheapoair - https://www.cheapoair.com
•  JetRadar - http://www.jetradar.com
•  Google Flights - https://www.google.com/flights/
•  Tripadvisor - https://www.tripadvisor.com

3. Use incognito or private browsing mode when searching for
cheap flights

Due to cookies constantly being placed on your browser, flight prices do
increase when a journey is continually searched for. This is the result of
companies trying to pressurise consumers into booking flights more
quickly.
Again, these people love to make things easier for us! Not.

4. Choose to fly on days where flight costs are at their lowest
To do this,

 you can simply enter your departure and arrival locations on
http://www.skyscanner.net , select ‘one-way’, click ‘depart’, and select
‘whole month’. This simple process will enable you to find out when the
cheapest possible flights are during your departure month, saving you
time, effort, and most importantly- money!

5. Book long haul flights yourself to save money

If your journey involves a transfer in the middle, it may well be more
cost-efficient to book the two legs separately by yourself, by adding a
few days in another destination to your trip. It’s true that this option may
incur some additional expenses, but who doesn’t love an extra-long
vacation?

6. Identify the cheapest airports to depart and arrive from
Kayak Explore (https://www.kayak.com/explore/) is a fantastic online tool

which helps you discover ways you can cover the longest distance at the
lowest possible cost. It will help you to locate the cheapest airports to fly
in and out of, so you can arrive at your destination for the lowest
possible price. I know right - it’s hard to believe that some organisations
actually want to reduce costs for travellers!

7. Don’t hesitate to use budget airlines

The unarguable truth of the matter is that budget airlines offer much
more affordable flight tickets than their full-service rivals. So, if you can
cope with a little less luxury, leg room and service on your flight, budget
airlines could save you a lot of money this summer. There’s just one
thing to remember; always read the fine print before booking, as many
budget airlines (e.g. Ryanair) charge extra fees designed to catch out
innocent travellers.

8. Flying with local airlines can be a great solution

Most flight search engines do not include minor local airlines. Therefore,
if you’re flying somewhere obscure, do some research to find out
whether the area has a local airline? Often, these airlines will have
special deals on their websites which are not displayed on regular online
searches. It could also be more of a fun and cultural experience for you!

9. Download a great app for finding cheap flights

The airline industry desperately wants to squeeze as many dollars as
they can out of us the flyers, so don’t fall prey to their sophisticated price
tactics.
With the right app, you can save hundreds of dollars on an upcoming
trip, with virtually zero effort on your end.
Download to your mobile device application like

•  Hidden Flights
•  Kiwi.com (Skypicker)
•  CheapFlights
•  eDreams

And find out great deals that you probably won't find anywhere else.

10. Use frequent flier miles

It’s true that usually it’s almost impossible to use your frequent flyer
miles unless you are willing to be flexible with dates or spend double or
triple miles than the usual amount. However, if you have a credit card
that doesn’t have blackout dates, you can use the miles any time.

11. Sometimes it can be cheaper to pay in other currencies

Before booking your flights, check whether the price is cheaper if paid in
a different currency. However, do note that you must ensure you’re
using a credit card that is free of foreign transaction fees, or your goal of
saving money will be defeated. Despite this requirement, paying in other
currencies really can be a fantastic way to save on your flights!

12. Book through a travel agency

Travel agents have access to exclusive rates which are unavailable to
the public. Simply carry out some online research to find the cheapest
flights you can, and then discuss this with a travel agent to see if they
can match or beat your price. It’s so simple, and you can get a free
quote 99% of the time!
Thanks so much for reading.
I really hope you’ve learned some valuable tips which will help you get
away for a lower price this summer – enjoy !