9 Tips for Getting Cheap Flights

Cheap flights are something we all want but can be hard to find. Trying to snag some great deals on your dream destination can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're competing with thousands of others for fares.However, you can do some things to put your foot in front of the competition. From adding in stopovers to being flexible with your dates, we'll share our tips for getting cheap flights in this post.

Add in a Stopover

More often than not, flights with stopovers are much cheaper than flying direct. Sure, it will add a couple of hours to your journey, but if it brings down the fare by a couple hundred dollars, you can't complain, right? During your flight search, you have to unclick the 'direct flights' button, which will show you all the possible flight combinations you can take to your destination. Have a scroll through the options and see what you can find; sometimes it may not be worth it, but it doesn't hurt to check.

Choose a Different Airport

You should consider flying to an alternative airport to your destination. In some cases, the fare price can be lower if you were to fly to a less popular destination. Airlines like Ryanair in Europe do a great job of this; they fly into the airport quite a bit outside of the destination because it's cheaper for them, so they can charge lower fares. For example, flying into London Stansted Airport is much cheaper than if you were to fly into London City Airport. However, Stansted is 39.5 miles away from the center, whereas London City Airport is 8.7 miles away.

Use a VPN to Your Advantage

Using a VPN to search for cheap flights prevents airlines and third-party booking agencies from tracking your location. If you're searching for a flight and keep going back to check the price, these companies track your behavior. As a result, every time you return to see the price, it usually increases. If you have a VPN, it allows you to mask your IP address so you can't be tracked. You can also change your location on it and opt to use their currency, which can sometimes bring down the price, depending on the exchange rate.

Check a Few Different Days of the Week

Many experts in the flight industry have debunked the old myth that flying on a Tuesday is cheaper. But there's no harm in flicking through a couple of days of the week to see if there are any price drops. There's a chance that flying a day later or earlier could save you a considerable amount of money. These price differences happen for various reasons, from seat availability to flight schedules. So, if your schedule is flexible, try not to be too strict with your departure date.

Factor in Times of the Day

When looking at flights for a popular route with departures a couple of times a day, you'll notice that certain times are always cheaper. These times are either really early in the morning, at 5:00 am, or late at night, around 11:00 pm. If you know you can find a way to the airport at these times, don't be afraid to check out the alternative options.

Keep an Eye Out for Sales

Across a calendar year, airlines will hold sales to try to fill up seats for certain routes. These sales can be predictable, especially if you monitor an airline's track record of sales in previous years. A lot of the time, airlines will have a sale during their low season when sales aren't as high for them. Their sales aren't high because not as many people want to travel then. But if you make yourself available during these times, there's great savings to be had.

Utilize Price Alerts

Instead of going back and forth three times to check the price of the flight you want to buy, just set a price alert. Most third-party flight websites like Skyscanner and Kayak let you set price alerts. The way they work is simple: you activate it, and they send you an email every time the price has changed, so you never miss a drop or a rise. Flight prices can change a couple of times per day, so don't be afraid if it goes up and the departure date is still three months out. Just keep an eye on your emails and wait for the right time.

Don't Leave It Until the Last Minute

While last-minute deals do pop up from time to time, you should never leave booking your flights to the last minute. In a time when more people are flying than ever, seats on most flights to popular destinations sell up fast. The chances are, if you leave it too late, it will get to a point where the fare will just keep going up and up in price. According to Forbes, a study by Expedia stated that you should book your flights between 28 and 35 from the day you want to fly. Anything after that, you run the risk of being overcharged.

Watch Out for Mistake Fares, but Don't Rely on Them

Once in a blue moon, someone makes a mistake along the way, and airfare gets listed for an insanely low price. While a system normally sets ticket prices, there's some level of human involvement that can result in someone making a mistake.If an airline ends up listing a mistake fare, in some cases, they'll keep it and allow the customer to fly. However, other airlines may choose to cancel your ticket and give you a refund; it depends on their policy and how much the fare was listed for.

Go Grab Them Cheap Flights!

Cheap flights can be an excellent way to cut your travel costs. But they can be hard to find if you don't know the tricks to get them. If you follow the tips we've listed in this article, we're sure you'll be on the road to finding some incredible deals that will allow you to fly affordably. Remember, patience is key for flight purchasing; give it time, and the right fare will come!