Flights have been getting more expensive, and it’s not just a feeling; it’s a fact. According to a recent report shared by the Department of Labor of the United States of America, flight fares have increased by 42.9% from September 2021 to September 2022.
While prices have increased, especially for the holidays, there’s no need to panic. There are different strategies you can apply to score cheap flights amid these skyrocketing prices!
Travelers interested in getting the best fares can compare prices and even combine methods to get the best routes with the best airlines for the best prices. Here are a few ideas:
Use Google Flights Feature
Google knows it all, and many times it knows which airline or travel website has the best fares. Google Flights is an online flight booking service that shares flight fares and different options so that users can compare and explore different alternatives.
Users just have to write the departure city or airport, the destination, and the dates, and the app will show a list of the best fares. Google has recently shared a guide on how and when to find the best flight deals with relevant advice and information.
Check Popular Websites For The Best Fare
Some travelers don’t trust online booking websites, but sometimes they do have the best deals. It’s never a bad idea to confirm price rates directly through the airline’s official website—and this is probably the safest option— but there are a few popular and recommended online travel agencies that can offer great deals.
Here are a few of the most used:
- Skyscanner
- CheapOair
- Momondo
- Kayak
Depending on the website, users can book directly or be redirected to another site, and the final price might slightly change. Travelers must pay attention when buying tickets, but these are usually great sites to get good deals.
Download Apps Like Hopper
Hopper is a very popular and user-friendly mobile app that helps users find the best deals, consider the best times to fly, and it predicts how prices will change in the future according to their data. It’s a good way to know when to buy and have a “travel agent” doing the job for you. Hopper sends notifications to your phone when prices have gone up or down.
There are other apps like TravelPerk that offer travelers cool features like bundling different airline offers for the same trip. And some of the websites for cheap flights, like Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak, also have mobile-friendly app versions.
Consider The Best Times To Fly And Fares For That Destination
Flight prices vary not only during holidays or peak seasons but also depending on the specific destination. If you are a flexible traveler, you can use filters and apps to find great deals to “surprise destinations.” A good trick to finding international tickets for less than $200 consists of applying filters in search platforms like Google Flights.
If you have a specific destination in mind, it can also be helpful to read articles with price references, like Cheapest Flights From The U.S. To South American Destinations This Winter and use that information to confirm if your flight deal is really as good as the website promises.
Also, bear in mind that sometimes there are special festivals, natural conditions, or phenomena at that special destination you want to visit that can affect prices too. Search for the best times to get cheap flights for that specific city.
Stay Tuned For Special Tricks Or Deals
Follow travelers, travel agencies, your favorite airlines, travel blogs, and websites on social media, and stay tuned. Sometimes there are special sales and deals that last only a few days —or even hours— and can help you save a lot of money. At Travel Off Path, we are constantly sharing airline sales and special offers!
On social media and forums, there are also tricks that go viral, and that actually work. Not every piece of advice is good, but there are travel hacks on Tiktok or real stories on Reddit that can provide great information for travelers.
