There is no surprise that people will try a lot of ways to find the cheapest flight possible. Whether it is merely a short-distance flight or a long-haul international trip, getting the best deal on airfares is perhaps, often the main concern. Fortunately, there are some ethical ways to make your wishes come true.
In this travel guide, we will share a few tips with you on how to get a cheap international flight when travelling to your desired destination.
Tips on How to Score Cheap International Flights for Your Trip
Here are a few tips or travel hacks that can help you score cheap international flights, while also making your trip worthwhile. You can also check the best online travel websites for booking cheap tickets.
Clear Browser “Cookies” Before Searching Flights Online
Not many people are aware of the fact that your web browser plays a key role in determining the airfares. To prove this, here’s what you can do. Open a web browser on more than one device, i.e., one browser each on your desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet and smartphone. Now, open your airline carrier’s website (you can also try with a third-party travel website) and compare prices of a flight for the same origin and destination on all your devices. You can also do the same test on all of your devices using your web browser’s “Incognito Mode” or “Private Window”, which can be opened from your browser’s menu.
You will be surprised to see the differences in airfares on each device you are using in order to find airfares for the same flight. This is all because of the use of “browser cookies”. Websites often use and store cookies in web browsers in order to better serve their customers. But, it is rather best to not allow cookies. It is therefore, advised that you first, clear your browser cookies (via browser settings/preferences page), then re-launch your browser application and visit the desired website(s) for booking flights.
We have a blog explaining about browser cookies which you can read here. [include link to blog]
Travel Search Engines Can Be Your Best Bet
Finding cheap flights, especially on your airline carrier’s website may not always prove fruitful. Therefore, it is advised that you look for all possible options using travel search engines. Various travel search engines, such as CheapOair, Expedia, Google Flights, Kayak, Priceline, Skyscanner, etc. often offer low-priced flights, while some also include packages.
If you go an extra step of looking for cheap flights on one or more travel search engines, you will thus, ensure getting the best deal out there. In addition, many travel search engines also allow you to set price alerts for certain flights, which is a great way to keep track of changes in airfares.
However, bear in mind that when you book directly through an airline carrier’s website, and in the event your flight gets cancelled, you will still have an easier time dealing with the airline. Also, you may be fortunate to get rebooked on another flight that is scheduled for your destination. But, this is not the case if you had booked your flight through a travel search engine.
Plan Your Trip During an Off-Peak Season
Everybody like to travel during holidays, which also sees visitors in large numbers, especially during peak seasons. This further gives an opportunity to not only airline carriers, but hotels and taxis would also not hesitate to increase their prices just to earn a little extra bucks out of your pockets.
On the other hand, if your travel to a city during an off-peak season, you will not only find the airfares to be cheap, but the prices for accommodation and ground transportation will also be cheaper. This is mainly because the number of visitors will be substantially lower than their numbers during the peak seasons.
So, whether you are flying on a short or long-haul international flight, be sure to take another look at your calendar and plan your trip with a little flexibility. This way, you can have a great time, either alone, with friends or family, and you also don’t have to worry about your travel expenses.
Keep the Size and Weight of Baggage to the Minimum
Why make your trip, especially if it’s long-haul, uncomfortable just because of a few extra burdens of luggage on your shoulders? It is rather best to travel light and quick than dragging a tree log behind you. Airline carriers have strict policies with regard to the size, weight of luggage and items that travellers carry.
There is a standard set for the dimensions, weight, and items that are allowed and prohibited to carry on flights. This policy may, however, be more or less different from one airline carrier to another. Be sure to go through the travel policy of your airline carrier and know in detail about baggage limitations and items which you can or can’t bring along. In case you avoid these regulations, you may end up paying hefty fines at the airport, for instance, for even accidentally bringing an item that is prohibited by your airline carrier.
On long-haul international flights, some airlines offer amenities on board in order to make your journey comfortable. The amenities include few essential items, like an eye mask, toothpaste, toothbrush, pyjamas, socks, and some carriers may also provide neck pillows, blankets and headphones, too. So, it is not necessary for you to pack such items in your carry-on bag.
Include Stopover in Your Flight Trip
Give a second thought to yourself before booking an international flight for your trip. Non-stop flights are usually more expensive than flights that are booked with one or more layovers and/or stopovers. A layover is basically a short gap or leg in your flight’s route before boarding another flight to your final destination airport/city. A stopover, on the other hand, is a longer gap, usually a day or more, then continue your journey with either the same airliner or another carrier to your final destination airport/city.
We have a separate travel blog about layovers and stopovers in detail.
When booking either a one-way or round-trip flight to your favourite destination city, it is a good idea to also include a stopover in your itinerary. This travel hack is quite the same as hitting two birds with one stone. Not only you will get cheaper airfares for your travel, but you can also save money as well.
There is a benefit in including a layover or stopover in your itinerary. When you add a stopover to your trip, you also have the opportunity to spend a day or two in that city. You can then board your scheduled flight that is en route to your final destination city. In other words, you are travelling and exploring two cities in one trip, which again, is a smart way to save money on your travel.
Book Flight Tickets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Most people are not aware of the fact that booking flight tickets on certain days are much cheaper. Various analyses have shown that booking flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, are usually the cheapest compared to other days of the week.
One of the reasons why booking your flight tickets are cheaper on these days is that these days of the week are usually seen as less busy days. This gives travellers the opportunity to get cheaper airfares for both short and long-haul trips.
When you are looking for airfares on an airline carrier’s website, and particularly, on these days, also do a little search on a few travel websites as well. Chances are, you may stumble upon some deals that you just can’t let go of.
Conclusion
These common travel hacks shared above are a great way to find and book cheap international flights when travelling to your favourite destination.
What are your comments on applying the best travel hacks for international flights? Do share with us below.
