Booking Flights

Being an expert in booking flights is one of the skills you learn as you travel. There are plenty of nuances that you’ll catch, some of them obvious like flights on Friday and Monday tend to cost more compared to the days in the middle of the week or flights at dawn are cheaper than flights in the middle of the day.

There are also a lot of options on where to book flights, like the airline website or third-party platforms like Skyscanner. It’s common for ticket prices to vary due to the complex algorithms used by airlines to calculate airfares, which makes finding the absolute cheapest fare challenging.

A Quick Guide to Booking Flights

  1. Know Your Why and What you Want to achieve with Your Travel: There are plenty of reasons to travel, other travel to check-off items on their bucket list, try local food, visit important places and many other reasons to travel
  2. Booking Early: One of the best ways to save on airfare tickets is to book ahead of your planned travel date. Of course, this involves juggling the booking date of your hotels or accommodations as well.
  3. Budget Airlines: With airfare, in most cases, you get what you paid for. Economy class is relatively bearable for 1-3 hour flights but for longer flights, the extra legroom, access to a lounge or extra baggage might be worth the price difference between the cheapest fare and the next tier.
  4. Direct vs Connecting Flights: Sometimes a direct flight can cost more than an interconnecting flight, especially for long-haul flights. However, long layovers can take their toll physically and mentally.
  5. Booking luggage allowance ahead: Having an extra allowance on your luggage is better than booking extra on the counter during check-in, so if you planning to go over the prescribed hand-carry weight, it is always cheaper to book it ahead.
  6. Join Airline Loyalty Programs: Sometimes you don’t need to have a credit card to earn points, airlines have a loyalty program that you can enroll in to earn travel points as well as perks like free upgrades or discounts on affiliated hotels.
  7. Airline or Travel Affiliated Credit Cards: Airline or travel-affiliated credit cards can earn points that you can use to help fund or book a ticket for your next flight.
  8. Research on Multiple Booking Platforms: Check-in third-party booking platforms and compare fares with our airlines.

Using Flight Booking Apps to Find the Cheapest Airfares

Traveling by air can be expensive but the popularity of flight booking apps has made it possible to find the cheapest airfare.

Flight booking apps allow you to search for flights from multiple airlines, compare prices, and book your tickets all in one place. You no longer have to visit multiple airline websites or travel agencies to find the best deals. However, we still recommend checking the airline website while scanning on third-party booking websites.

Top Third-Party Booking Sites

  1. Sky Scanner: Skyscanner is a popular flight booking app that allows you to compare prices from various airlines and travel agencies. It also offers features like price alerts and a flexible search option to find the cheapest fares.
  2. Expedia: Expedia is a comprehensive travel app that allows you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages all in one place. It often offers exclusive discounts and rewards for members.
  3. Google Flights: Google Flights is a user-friendly app that lets you search for flights, track prices, and explore flexible date options. Its integration with Google’s other travel tools makes it convenient for trip planning.
  4. Hotwire:The Hotwire Booking App is your go-to travel companion for finding unbeatable deals and unlocking a world of adventure. With a reputation for offering incredibly low prices on hotels, flights, car rentals, and vacation packages, Hotwire has become a favorite among savvy travelers looking to maximize their savings without compromising on quality.
  5. Agoda: Although Agoda is not a flight booking platform it is a leading online travel platform that caters to globetrotters seeking a seamless and personalized booking experience for their accomodations. With a vast array of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels, Agoda offers travelers the convenience of finding the perfect stay for their dream destinations.