If, like me, you have ever found yourself staring at the computer screen in frustration, wondering how the price of your airfare could have increased so much in the time it took you to make a cup of coffee, then this post about How to Get a Cheap Flight without stress is for you!
I am sure that you have heard that you should always search for flights/ hotels etc. in private browsing mode or clear your browsing history as airlines and travel companies are tracking you and manipulate prices based on your previous searches.
However, the reality is that flight pricing works in accordance with the good old economic theory of supply and demand. This means that when someone books a flight the supply goes down, and the perceived demand goes up. As demand goes up and supply decreases, then the price goes up. So, if someone else booked the flight in the time you went to get a coffee then the price increases, regardless of whether you are in a private browser or not! That being said I will still to continue to search in private browsing mode just in case!!!
However, airlines and online travel agencies DO access your IP address, but this is primarily to provide accurate location-related details, such as language and currency and not to modify prices based on your activity.
So, to help you get your flight at the best possible price, here are my top three tips!
How to get a cheap flight without stress
1. Book your flight at the optimum time before travel
It used to be easy to get a last minute deal, and it was often said the it was cheaper to book a flight on a Tuesday, but, whilst it IS still possible to get a last minute deal or a cheap flight on a Tuesday, as a general rule those days are gone!
The best time to get a cheap flight is during the “golden window“, which is the time where supply exceeds demand so you can snag a cheap deal. This varies slightly for international long haul flights and domestic flights.
As a general rule, the best time to book an international flight is between 2 and 6 months ahead of your travel date and 1-3 months ahead for domestic flights. Try to avoid travelling at peak times, such as Christmas, Summer, Bank Holiday weekends, but if your trip is planned during this period you should add a couple of months to the above windows.
2 Be flexible on your dates
When you are booking your flight, it pays to be flexible on your travel dates. You may have to compromise and fly 2 or 3 days earlier or later than your initial plans to take advantage of a cheap deal.
For example, I booked a long-haul flight to the US this Summer and saved about $1000 by flying three days earlier than my initially planned date. Many airlines give you the option to select +/- 3 days in their search criteria and it is well worth taking advantage of this tool.
3 Compare airlines
It is definitely worth comparing prices across different airlines, as there can be temporary differences in their pricing. One of my favorite sites for this is SkyScanner.
However, if you are a regular flyer and are a member of a frequent flyer program, you will need to take account of any benefits you might lose (such as free checked baggage, access to a VIP lounge etc.) if you choose not to fly with your regular airline.
A Few Extra Tips to take into account before you Book your Flight
Do your Research
Before you travel, you will be researching things like if you need a visa (get more information here), where are the safest places to travel to and places to avoid.
Look online, do as much research as you can before you commit to a destination. Look at maps, learn about the public transport systems and how to get around. Make sure you know where any unsafe areas are, as well as hospitals and police stations.
Have a look at the tourist attractions and don’t forget to take account of the age range, tastes and fitness levels of the group you are travelling with!
Make sure you have proper insurance
The last thing that you want is to find yourself needing medical care or emergency help and not having the insurance, or money to cover it. Make sure to take out travel insurance that will look after your health and protect you financially when you are away.
If you are a frequent flyer, many companies offer annual travel insurance, which would be more economical in the long run.
I hope you enjoyed this post about How to get a cheap flight, and you may also want to look at this post for staying safe on your first big trip, and have a look here for more of our travel tips.
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