🛅 Twos Joe's Travel Hack Tips
by Joe · 37 things on Twos
- Use this list to get the best price for your air transportation needs. Save it for updates which include hotel/car/activity tips. Happy traveling!
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- Flights
- Sign up for a cheap flight email service.
- Going.com (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights)
- DollarFlightClub.com
- Note: these services monetize on premium subscriptions, which are not necessary (they will make it seem like they are).
- Keep perceived demand top of mind.
- Supply and demand is the name of the cheap flight game
- Demand (and, in turn, prices) are highest during Holidays, Friday/Sunday travel, for certain events, etc.
- If you expect your dates/destination to be in high-demand, book early as possible.
- This also applies to regular bookings.
- Book on Wednesdays mid-day instead of Friday at 5pm
- Book on holidays
- Book when major world news is happening
- For domestic flights, be prepared to book 2-3 months in advance.
- For international flights, be prepared to book 6-months in advance.
- Consider, but don't feel beholden, to alternative airports.
- Flights out of major 'hubs' tend to be less expensive.
- ATL, ORD, NYC, MIA, DEN, etc.
- If you can stomach the extra travel, keep them top-of-mind
- Use Google Flights when the time comes.
- Google Flights is perfect for adjusting your dates/airlines/etc. when you are ready to book.
- Much better than Expedia, Kayak, etc. (because they do not inflate prices, just direct to you to the suggested website).
- Most importantly: book when the price is right FOR YOU.
- Don't miss out on an exciting opportunity for the sake of saving $50
- Flight prices can increase drastically, and are nearly impossible to 'chase'
- The best price is the price you feel comfortable with
- INTERNATIONAL BONUS: Just cross the pond.
- Europe is known for their inexpensive country-to-country travel
- By 'crossing the pond' aka taking the least expensive flight to Europe, you can get a great deal once you arrive.
- Some of my best experiences have come from direct flights to London and then booking a second flight to wherever I actually want to go.
- On Google Flights, you can select "DEPT: home airport" and "ARR: 'Europe'" to navigate the least expensive options.
- What I consider 'GREAT' prices for flights:
- Domestic round trip: <$200
- International round trip: <$600