Travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Everybody deserves to see what the world has to offer, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The air travel industry is a dynamic and intricate system of airlines, routes, pricing strategies, and constantly shifting demand. But have no fear; within this complexity lies a treasure trove of opportunities to explore new places without breaking the bank. With good planning and some savvy strategies, you can make that dream trip more affordable. Wondering how to find cheap flights? Follow these tried and tested cheap flight hacks to save a pretty penny.
Book in advance
Though last-minute deals can occasionally bag you a bargain, the general rule of thumb is that the earlier you book, the more money you save; this is how to book cheap flights. The early bird gets the worm really applies when it comes to buying flight tickets. Most airlines release their flights a year in advance; this is usually when tickets are at their cheapest, and prices increase as the departure date approaches. If this is too early for you, the sweet spot is to get your tickets at least three to six months before your travel date. By following this approach, you’ll position yourself to access some of the most competitive prices available. This early booking strategy becomes much more vital when travelling during the busiest holiday seasons, like Christmas or New Year’s. It’s also not uncommon for these flights to sell out quickly. So, as soon as you’ve confirmed your travels, don’t delay booking your flights. You’ll save money and get peace of mind.
Cheapest days to fly
Travelling off-season won’t only save you on flights, but accommodation and activities are usually cheaper, too. You can also enjoy fewer tourists and less crowded attractions during low and shoulder seasons. The low season usually falls during autumn time but can vary for each destination and usually depends on factors such as the weather as well as major events in both your place of departure and arrival. Summertime is usually more expensive, and travelling during holidays like Christmas and New Year won’t be cheap either. Going even further, travelling mid-week or early morning isn’t favoured by those who can afford to be choosy, which means these times are often more affordable for everyone else. We know that getting up at 6am isn’t the ideal scenario, but if it means saving a buck, then why not? There’s also something super satisfying about arriving at your destination and still having the whole day to explore. That’s a win if you ask us! The cheapest days to fly are usually Wednesdays. Sundays also have the tendency to be cheaper in comparison to other weekend days. Do flights get cheaper closer to the date? Not always! So don’t rely on this technique, if you find a price you’re happy with, book it ASAP to secure it. Once you’ve roughly decided on the period of time you wish to travel, we recommend checking our website and comparing different dates and times to make sure you get the best deal. Our platform is easy to navigate, so go ahead and give it a go!
Go incognito
Staying anonymous while searching for flights is one of the key ways to get cheap flights. Airlines use data on how many people search for and buy flights to determine how to price them. You may find that if you search for a flight one day, the airline may have raised the price a few days later. Here’s how this works:
Dynamic Pricing: Airlines employ dynamic pricing strategies, which means ticket prices are subject to sudden and frequent changes. If an airline detects high demand for a particular route or flight, it may respond by raising prices to maximise profits.
User Data: Airlines use cookies and other tracking technologies to monitor your online activity. If you repeatedly search for the same flight or route, the airline may interpret this as a strong intent to purchase. As a result, it might increase the ticket price in an attempt to capitalise on your perceived urgency.
Personalised Pricing: Airlines also employ personalised pricing, which involves creating rates specifically for each user based on their browsing interests and history. This may cause different people to see different flight fares.
The best way to avoid these pricing strategies is to clear your search cookies between searches, disable location tracking, use different devices and browse in private or incognito mode.
Try alternative routes
When searching for cheap flights, it’s essential to take a thorough approach and consider a variety of options. Try including nearby locations to widen your search results and get more search results. Make full use of the filters on our website and search city to city rather than airport to airport to include all airports in the area. And if you’re super flexible, you can check which destinations are on offer and consider travelling somewhere cheaper. Think beyond the flight ticket when evaluating the cost of your trip. Remember to factor in the total cost of your travel, which should include accommodation, activities, local transportation, and living expenses. Sometimes, taking a somewhat more expensive flight to a place with a lower cost of living may be more cost-effective.
Our current favourite cheap destination is Prague.
Pack light
Trust us when we say you probably don’t need as much as you think when travelling. Especially clothes, pack a few versatile outfits, and you’re good to go. Save yourself the hassle of dragging several bags around and stick to a carry-on to avoid additional luggage fees. Make sure your bag is the correct size and weight to avoid nasty surprises at the airport. Give layering clothes a go, too. Wear your thickest and heaviest clothing and shoes to optimise the space in your bag.
Of course, we have an article on how to efficiently pack a suitcase.
Book with wowtickets.com
We can’t talk about cheap flights without mentioning our own search service! It’s important to have a reliable ally when looking for affordable flights, and wowtickets.com is here to be your go-to travel partner. We aim to make your trip as easy, cost-effective, and enjoyable as possible. Providing perfect flights is our mission, after all. There are no hidden fees with us – what you see is what you pay. Navigating our platform is a breeze. We’ve prioritised user-friendliness so you can effortlessly find the information you need and efficiently complete your bookings without any complications. Our goal is to simplify the process and make planning your travels a stress-free experience. Beyond just searching for flights, we’re committed to keeping you in the loop and inspired by the world of travel. Wowtickets.com is not just a flight search engine; we’re a hub of travel knowledge to assist you every step of the way. We also share promo codes with our customers, so follow our social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay updated with the latest travel news. Visit Wowtickets for more savvy travel advice and exclusive deals.
Good luck and happy travels!
