7 Tips on How to Find Cheap Flight Deals and Discounts
We all have that one friend who’s never more than two weeks away from his next sunny holiday, yet he doesn’t have a huge salary or mountains of credit card debt.
His lifestyle often makes you wonder about one thing:
How can he afford to get away so often?
Usually, it comes down to organization, determination, and some good old fashion bargain hunting. This guide will teach you all about those things and how to find cheap flight deals.
Do an online search
Don’t just go directly to the holidaymaker or airline company you’ve used most in the past, because they might not be offering you the best deal. Instead, start with a simple internet search.
Use terms like ‘budget flights’ to help you do a bit of shopping around and get a feel for average prices. It’s likely that you’ll be presented with a long list of websites offering reductions or deals on flights.
Never settle for the first page you click on. Take your time and look around as this can help you find the best deal.
Use comparison sites
There are several great comparison sites out there that can help you find a better deal. They will scour the internet for you and present you with a list of prices from different providers in a matter of seconds.
This makes it so much easier to make a direct comparison between flights. You won’t have to switch from one site to another or keep scribbling down costs on your notepad. These sites make finding a bargain so easy as they do most of the hard work for you.
Not sure which site to use? Run an internet search for ‘flight comparison sites’ and you’ll have your pick of the bunch.
Wait for discount days
You’re probably aware of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are two dates around November/December when many brands decide to slash their prices. This includes most airlines.
So, if you’re patient and good at forward-planning, you can find the biggest discounts during those dates.
Book a last-minute deal
If you’re okay with spontaneous adventures, then booking a last minute trip can reveal some great deals. This tactic isn’t for everyone.
If you don’t like leaving things until the last minute or you need at least two months to prepare yourself for a holiday, then last-minute deals probably aren’t for you. But if you’re fine with spontaneity, then often the cost of flights drops drastically at the last minute as providers try to fill the spaces.
Speak to a travel agent
If in doubt, you can always speak to a travel agent. If you’re sticking to a really tight budget, this may not be the way to go.
However, if you’re planning a family trip or looking for a particular resort, going direct to an agent can help you find the best results. It can also be comforting to speak to a real person and tell them exactly what you want, rather than relying on your own abilities to scan the internet for the best price.
Be flexible
If you want to find the best deals, it always pays to be flexible. There are some dates or times of the year when holidays are more expensive. For example, prices tend to rise around Valentine’s Day, the summer holidays, and Christmas.
At these times, more people are looking at going away. As such, it’s best to try and go out of season when you can. Be flexible with dates, flight times, and even locations.
If you’re planning a city break, don’t always expect to be in the city center as this can become costly. The more wiggle room you give yourself, the more likely you are to find a great deal.
If you are happy to fly on a Tuesday instead of a Monday, you might find flights are cheaper. And if you’re not fussed what time of day you fly – even better! Being open to suggestions is the key to finding the best possible discounts.
Set price alerts
Technology is a wonderful thing. It has made it possible to search and book holidays online, as well as create a platform for comparison sites. Technology also allows us to enjoy apps and alerts which send prices through push notifications or emails. They will notify you of any major discounts or drops in fairs for your chosen destination or dates.
