You are planning to take a trip, but the airline fares are giving you a cause for concern. One minute you can afford it and the next minute it becomes a little bit too expensive for you—I wonder why they fluctuate like the stock market. If you are looking for the best deals when you want to travel, here are 7 flight booking hacks that can save you some money.
1. Be Flexible with Dates
One of the golden rules of flight booking is flexibility. You can snag some incredible deals if your travel dates aren’t set in stone. Midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are often cheaper than weekend ones.
Hack: Use fare comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to see prices across a whole month. It’s like shopping for flights on a clearance rack.
2. Incognito Mode Is Your Best Friend
Ever notice that flight prices seem to go up the more you search? That’s because airlines track your browsing history and adjust prices accordingly. To avoid this sneaky tactic, always search for flights in incognito mode or clear your cookies before browsing. Your wallet will thank you.
Hack Tip: On Chrome, just hit Ctrl+Shift+N (or Cmd+Shift+N on a Mac) to open an incognito window.
3. Look out for Promos
Take advantage of promos to get discounts on flight bookings. During summer, airlines, travel agencies, and even financial institutions in partnership with card companies like Mastercard and Visa offer their customers cost-saving deals. This summer, UBA is offering discounts on flight and hotel bookings.
Hack: Book your flights with your UBA Visa Dollar Card and enjoy up to 12% off. See UBA’s summer offerings for more details.
4. Book at the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to booking flights. The sweet spot for finding the best deals is usually 6 to 8 weeks before your departure date. Also, studies suggest that booking flights on Tuesday afternoons can sometimes lead to lower prices. It’s like finding a secret portal to a parallel universe where flights are magically cheaper.
Hack: Sign up for fare alerts to get notified when prices drop for your desired route. Some tools even let you set a budget, so you’ll only get notified when prices dip below your target.
5. Embrace Connecting Flights
Direct flights are convenient but often come with a hefty price tag. If you don’t mind a bit of extra travel time, connecting flights can save you a substantial amount. Plus, it allows you to stretch your legs and explore another airport—or even sneak in a quick layover adventure in a new city.
Hack: Sometimes booking two separate one-way tickets with a layover can be cheaper than a round-trip direct flight. Tools like Skiplagged can help you find these hidden city fares but use them wisely.
6. Get Social for Secret Deals
Follow airlines and travel deal sites on social media. Sometimes, they announce flash sales or offer exclusive discounts to their followers. A quick scroll through your feed could lead to your next great adventure at a fraction of the price.
Hack: Sign up for airline newsletters too. They often send out promo codes and early access to sales.
7. Mix and Match Airlines
Who says you have to fly the same airline for your entire journey? Sometimes, booking one-way tickets with different airlines can be cheaper than a round-trip ticket. It requires a bit more research, but the savings can be worth it.
Hack: Use a tool like Kiwi.com to find the best mix-and-match deals across airlines.
Travelling already comes with its own financial responsibility. So, saving a few bucks wouldn’t hurt. Use these hacks when next you are about to travel, and you’ll be glad you did.
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