People comment on my travel habits a lot.
We are on the road a good amount.
The biggest misconception about traveling is that you have spend a tons of money to do it. Not true! Anyone can jet off to Europe… you just have to plan.
In honor of this week’s $75 dollar flight to Italy, I’m sharing my Top 3 Tips for Flying on the Cheap today!
Tip 1: Loyalty
Choose two airlines, join their loyalty programs, and fly them (almost – see tip #3) religiously. Loyalty programs were created for this specific reason, and it works. Points add up to earn you free travel!
When you sign up for your airline’s program, also apply for their credit card and start earning points there. This is a much faster way to earn. You typically get a bunch of “thank you” points upon being approved. Additional points are earned for referring friends, adding a cardholder (a spouse counts!), purchasing flights and items onboard, and making larger purchases.
I’m not advocating debt. Use the card big for stuff you were going to buy anyway with cash, then pay it off immediately. I have a Delta AMEX that I use for “big” purchases.
Side note: Did you know you can pay your taxes with a card?!
How it worked for us: Thanks to frequent flier miles, this flight to Italy cost me $75 on Delta.
Tip 2: Take the Voucher
Often times flights are overbooked. When that happens – especially around the holidays – the gate counter will offer vouchers to passengers willing give up their seat and take another flight. DO NOT jump at their first offer of $200 or $300. If there aren’t enough takers, they’ll increase the offer as much as $1000!
How it worked for us: This is how Vegas is flying to Italy for $75.
That time Vegas stayed longer with me in ATL because they offered a voucher.
Tip 3: Be Flexible
Look for deals and be flexible on dates. When I don’t fly on Delta, it’s because I found a crazy-good deal elsewhere. My favorite places to locate deals are with Google Flights, the Hopper app, and Scott’s Cheap Flights.
This takes a little effort sometimes… if I am watching a flight on Hopper (you can track specific destinations and dates) and it notifies me that the fight dropped or if I see a deal from Scott’s, I immediately search it in Google Flights AND directly on Delta’s website. This way I make sure that:
- It is the cheapest, and
- There’s not a similarly priced flight on your primary airline.
Recent email flight deal from Scott’s
How it worked for us: I saw in my email from Scott’s Cheap Flights for a $400 flight to Paris from LAX. I checked on Delta, but Scott’s deal was the cheapest. I had no plans to go to Paris, but hey… why not? Vegas and I are headed to Paris on Norwegian Airlines in March!
Bonus tip: use Airbnb. Rent your house while your gone; my sister’s boyfriend covered his rent on 2 weekends last month! Also don’t be afraid to stay in other people’s homes. You’ll meet some cool people and have a local to ask for “insider” information like restaurant recs and hiking trails.
[Tweet “Think you can’t travel? Check out these 3 Tips For Flying on the Cheap!”]
Disclaimer: This isn’t a sponsored post, these are all services I legit love and want to share with you. However, there ARE a couple affiliate links. Gotta pay ‘dem bills ya’ll.
***
Don’t forget save more by bringing food for the journey… here are 10 Tips for Healthy Travel.
What’s your best tip for traveling on the cheap?
What is your favorite airline?
I have downloaded the hopper app for when we fly back to the UK next year for a visit. I really hope we can get a good price for flights because that huge ass journey costs a fortune!
Loved some of your other tips though, totally going to check them out, especially the credit card one!
Anything going your way id crazy expensive. I’d imagine the opposite is true too! I would love to visit one day though.
Great tips, I wish I could travel more and plan to once the kids are off to college in ten years!
I’ve got an idea, how about I get in your carry on. I’m like Mini Me and can fit into overhead storage bins!
You should have seen the size of the bag I took… you could have fit in it! 😉
I’m a huge fan of Air B&B. I love the idea of having access to a kitchen along with my room.
$75 to Italy. I’m jealous. It was more to come to Cleveland. 🙂
I. Know. I’m actually flying to frigging PARIS for less than it cost me to get to Cleveland. That’s how much I love you though. 😉
I always wondered who took the vouchers!! Good tips
They are really great if you can be flexible! Just remember not to take the first offer.
These are great tips! I love to fly. Unfortunately, airports and I don’t get along. Of all 10 flights I have taken in my life, 9 of them have resulted in pure madness. And I always overpack and have to pay for extra luggage-whoops! I am all about flying on the cheap too, though. Great idea to share your tips!
Oh man… it can get crazy! We try to fly at off times – no holidays, never on a Monday. It helps a little. So does precheck!
I’m already signed up to a couple of cheap flight websites and I don’t know if it’s a help or a hindrance – it’s making me plan trips I never intended on taking! But sometimes they are too cheap to resist. Airbnb is an absolute lifesaver. I literally wouldn’t be able to live without it.
That’s how we booked Paris. A cheap flight email and a bottle of wine are a dangers combo!
I had to do a double take because I thought this was about “3 tips for flying in cargo”
Which I guess could be the fourth tip?
True. Flying in cargo WOULD be cheaper… 😉
GREAT tips!! You guys may travel more than we do, which is saying something. 🙂
That really IS saying something! Just wait until you see our next 4 months… I’m hoping we squeeze in a Colorado ski trip too!
Amazing I have never heard of these apps and sites!! Have fun in Italy!!!
on that note, i need to sign up for airline credit card..right now i have a credit card from a major bank and has some travel points but not enough for a Euro trip.. i will have to check Scott’s website.
The Delta card rocks – it got us back from Italy with an extra bag at no charge!
Wow, this is so interesting. Definitely checking these sites out more!
Yes to all of this! I mostly fly United, and love racking up my points with them. I actually just recently started using Hopper and am watching flights for the holidays right now… and I’m currently en route to NYC 40,000 feet up! I flew stand-by since a girlfriend of mine works for JetBlue, and was happy to get on the flight. YAY! 🙂
Friends that work at airlines are also a great tip. LOL! I have a friend fro grad school that works for Delta. We took a girls trip and she flew myself and another classmate to Chile first class! I should have chosen a different career path…
These tips rock, and I’ve got this post bookmarked so I can refer to those money saving sites. Italy for $75!? That’s insane girl. You’re a rock star
Thanks! Definitely check out Hopper and Scott’s… I just booked Reno today for $100!
Good plane tips. I do southwest because I rebook my tickets for cheaper flights. No airline credit card though… don’t fly enough. I haven’t had the opportunity to give up a seat for a voucher yet. Maybe one of these days… 🙂
Thanks! It’s a little less common to see voucher offers on Southwest, I think. They’re credit card offers are good though!