5 Hacks to Save Money Booking Flights

Embarking on an adventure usually involves navigating the labyrinth of flight options via the interweb (🫠). I don’t know about you, but booking flights used to give me SO much anxiety. That was before I put time and effort into learning these tips. Today I’m going to share my top 5 hacks to save money booking flights. They will help you revolutionize the way you purchase airfare as you navigate the vast world of aviation. Enjoy these savvy strategies and insider insights. From exploring one way tickets to harnessing the power of incognito browsing, these tools will empower you to secure budget-friendly flights with confidence.

In this post, we’ll explore strategic approaches to airfare bookings that go beyond the obvious. They are designed to put you in the pilot’s seat catering to your unique travel budget. Let’s delve into equipping you with the strategies to navigate the skies like a wizard. Make sure to read until the end for a special gift to help you save even more money!

My Top 5 Hacks to Save Money Booking Flights

1. Use Incognito Mode on Your Browser

• Kickstart your flight booking journey with a crucial tip: always use incognito mode on your browser.

• Airlines and booking sites have become sneaky at tracking your interest, and they might adjust prices accordingly. Private browsers do not store browsing history.

• Use a private browser known as an ‘incognito window’ on Chrome or a ‘private window’ on Safari. Doing this prevents your searches from being stored in the browsing history.

• Not sure how to enable this on your computer? Just ask Google and you’ll be all set in seconds.

2. Use Travel Credit Cards for Everyday Spending

• Enter the realm of smart travel with this game-changing hack: use travel credit cards for everyday spending. If you aren’t paying for your life with credit cards this is your sign to get in the game! We of course recommend paying your full statement balance to avoid outrageous interest fees.

• Many travel credit cards tantalize with enticing signup bonuses. By meeting a minimum spending requirement within a specified time frame, you can amass a substantial trove of points. We have booked free flights to exotic destinations with this tip.

• Premium travel credit cards often extend their perks beyond points, providing access to airport lounges. Welcome to the #loungelife experience. Once you taste lounge life you can’t go back to waiting with large crowds at gates with limited seating. We have explored lounges around the world and they have 100% saved our sanity.

• Do some research keeping in mind the rewards you are seeking. Some of my favorite travel credit card perks are rental car insurance, no foreign transaction fees, double or triple points on travel related spending, points that can be redeemed for cash or flights, trip insurance and a bank that will send me a new card while abroad if needed.

• My favorite personal travel card is the Chase Sapphire and my favorite business cards are the Chase Ink collection.

3. Compare Flight Prices on Different Websites

• Open up multiple browsers and commit to this tip: compare flight prices on different websites. Utilize flight comparison websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights to compare rates across multiple airlines and booking platforms efficiently.

• Take advantage of their fare prediction tools to make informed decisions on when to book. Set up price alerts for your preferred routes to stay updated on any significant changes. These notifications are priceless and keep you in the know during your busy life.

• Once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider visiting the airline’s website directly for an even more detailed comparison.

• Keep in mind that certain regional airlines, such as Southwest or Air Tanzania, do not appear on comparison sites. It is advisable to check their rates directly on their official websites.

4. Explore One Way Tickets

• A perfect option for those with uncertain or evolving travel plans: explore one way tickets. This allows you to book different departure and return dates without committing to round-trip fares.

• You can explore booking a one-way flight to an international airport that has lower fares. After that, take a regional hopper flight to your destination. This can enable you to select the most affordable and convenient options for each portion of your trip.

• Also, look into multi-city flights where you can fly into one city and depart from another. This can be advantageous for travelers exploring diverse destinations. The price may be right to use multiple airports and it pushes you to see more places in the region.

• If you don’t have enough flyer miles for your entire trip, book a one-way ticket. This allows you to maximize your miles and use cash for the other flights (or your travel credit card ;). No matter your circumstance, one-way tickets offer a versatile flight selection approach.

5. Book in Advance

• This tip used to give me anxiety, but it is a tried and true money saver: book in advance.

• Booking flights 2-3 months before your trip is ideal. This strikes a balance between availability, price, and choice seats.

• Once you’ve locked in your flights, snag your accommodation so you will have more selection and better prices. If paying for flights and accommodation on the same day was not in your plan, consider pay-as-you-go options for flexibility.

• Knowing your flights are solidified will bring you peace of mind and allow you to focus on the exciting stuff. We think what you are going to do and where you are going to eat are much more interesting!

Airfare with Ease

In the ever-evolving world of travel, finding affordable flights is an art you will never regret learning. By incorporating these hacks you will feel empowered to navigate the complex landscape of airfare with ease. It becomes a treasure hunt you are prepared for!

As you embark on your journeys, may these tips guide you toward blue skies and destinations beyond your wildest dreams. If you want to become an even better flight booking ninja and receive our full PDF guide – 16 Tips and Tricks to Finding Affordable Flights please click here!

Until then my friends, may your travels be safe and the most joyous of times.

xoxo, Bekah

PS ~ If you are considering hitting the road with your job in toe, make sure you read our article – 5 Tips Digital Nomads Wish They Knew Sooner.