If you’re planning an international trip this year or next, it is possible to score a great deal on airfare. It just takes some fine-tuning of your search techniques and a bit of flexibility.
Flying a day earlier or later, and searching from a nearby airport are all easy ways to save on flights.
Be Flexible
Flight prices are always changing, so it’s important to be flexible when searching for deals. If you’re rigid about where you want to go and when, you might find yourself paying a premium. If you’re willing to be open to other options, then you might score an amazing deal on a trip of a lifetime.
The best time to purchase tickets is typically 1 to 3 months before your travel dates. However, during peak travel times like summer and around holidays (like Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin), that window can expand to 2 to 8 months before departure.
Another way to be flexible is by focusing on price rather than dates.
One more advanced (but a bit riskier) strategy is using “hidden city” fares to save on international flights. This involves booking a flight to your desired destination with a layover in the city you’re actually going to visit (like New Orleans with a stop in Atlanta). Then, after landing in your final destination, you’ll exit the airport at your layover destination and head home on a different flight.
Plan Ahead
For most international destinations, the best time to buy is about 3 months out. However, it really depends on the destination. Some places see a lot of volatility, so you can find deals closer to your departure date, while other places are relatively stable and don’t spike much until right before the trip (like flights to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day or China for Chinese New Year).
For that reason, it’s a good idea to start planning your trip early – even if you don’t know your exact dates yet. That way, you can keep an eye on the prices and snag a deal when it comes up.
Another way to save on airfare is to book multiple one-way tickets instead of booking a roundtrip flight. This trick can be especially helpful if you’re flying in a group. Just be sure to call the airline and ask to have your tickets linked so that you’re all traveling together. You can also try using tools that let you explore the world and see all of the flights on a map. This can help you get creative with your travel plans and find some interesting destinations that you may not have thought of.
Explore the World
Flights to international destinations are more affordable than ever, but it’s important to know how to search the right way. Instead of searching for individual cities or dates, use an explore tool to find the cheapest options.
Traveling to an off-season destination is the best way to save money on airfare and accommodations. Not only will you be able to save, but you’ll also enjoy a less crowded experience and have more time to explore each area.
Another great way to find cheap international flights is by flying with a budget airline. While most budget airlines have scrapped their long-haul routes due to COVID, a few still offer great deals to many popular destinations around the world. One of our favorites is Virgin Atlantic, which offers a comfortable and stylish experience for a fraction of the cost of other luxury carriers.
Look for Error Fares
There is a good chance that you’ve seen error fares (tickets sold for much less than normal) on the internet, or even on social media. These deals are often due to human error or glitches in complex flight pricing systems. While there’s no guarantee that airlines will honour these fares, savvy travellers can use them to score some pretty cheap international flights. Travel errors by airplanes as noted by View From the Wing must be something that flyers must watch out for.
The key to finding error fares is to be quick! They don’t last long before airlines figure out what’s up and cancel them. It’s also a good idea to book flexible or refundable accommodation and car rentals in case the airline cancels your flight.
Check Multiple Airports
If you’re ready to book a flight abroad, there are some simple tips that can help you score a great deal. From fine-tuning your search methods to using tools, there’s a lot you can do to make international travel more affordable.
Start by searching multiple airports near your home. Many airlines will favor certain airports that serve as their hub, and this can open up a wide range of destinations that you could fly to for a cheap price. For example, if you’re flying out of New York City, adding “JFK” or “LGA” to your search can expand your options considerably.
Another tip is to use a virtual private network (VPN) when searching for flights. These services can make it appear as though you’re browsing the web from a different country, and this can lead to cheaper prices. For instance, NordVPN notes that some airfare prices are based on local demand, so they may be lower if you connect to a server in the country where you’re planning to travel.
Finally, be sure to check multiple dates when searching for deals. Prices are always changing, and you can save big by being flexible with your dates.
Keep an Eye Out for Additional Fees and Charges
It’s always worth checking the fine print when booking flights. Airline websites often add on extras like seat selection, checked bags and travel insurance by default without even letting you know. Sometimes these fees can be higher than the price of the flight itself. Using a search engine that removes these extras can save you money when looking for cheap international flights.
Another way to find cheap international flights is by booking package holidays. These deals can include everything from your accommodation to the cost of your airfare and can often be cheaper than booking your flights separately. It’s worth shopping around and checking the prices of individual airlines before committing to a package holiday as they are not all created equal.
If you’re stuck with a small city airport or your home airport doesn’t seem to get blessed by the flight deal gods, try searching for flights to hubs in the area and then booking from there. This trick is called positioning flights and can easily save you hundreds of dollars on fares to far away destinations. For example, flights to Dublin from Minneapolis-St Paul were recently under $600 roundtrip. This was much less than the price of flying directly from MSP to Dublin.
Be Patient
Airline fares rise and fall based on demand, but it’s important to be patient and keep searching. Cheap international flights are typically available around 2-3 months before departure, especially during the off-season when prices are lowest. It’s also a good idea to set price alerts with airlines so you can be among the first to know when fares drop or are expected to increase.
There are some tricks to finding cheap international fares, including using “positioning” flights. This means flying to a nearby airport and then connecting to your final destination, which can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. You can also save money by flying to a major hub and then connecting from there.
Another way to save on airfare is taking advantage of error fares. These deals often occur due to a computer glitch, currency conversion issues, or other technical problems.
Finally, don’t forget to shop on multiple airlines and search with several browsers. Airline companies can track your browsing habits and use that information to raise or lower fares depending on your location. You can avoid this by using a VPN to mask your IP address.
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