Flying (and the overarching airport experience) changed after the pandemic. International flights have never been a breeze, but they feel particularly difficult today. I’ve noticed hefty delays, up-charges on everything, and a downswing in service.
Flights are pricier than ever before. Flight attendants and boarding agents seem particularly overworked and underpaid.
Of the seven international flights I’ve taken since 2021 between Europe and the US, every single one has been delayed. And not just by a few minutes. I’m talking miss-your-next-flight type of delays and stay-the-night-at-a-sketchy-hotel sort of delays.
This has changed my outlook on international flights in two ways:
- Pricing
- Discount sites
Post-pandemic, I’m wary of discount sites, as it’s almost impossible to hold an airline accountable when they can point the finger at their partner. (Looking at you, British Airways and American Airlines.) I’d rather pay a bit more for a seamless journey.
So, if you’re anything like me, you might benefit from knowing how to book flights in order to save money. No need to learn anything the hard way.
Try to avoid dynamic pricing
I’ve seen some travelers advise using incognito mode to shop for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Theoretically, this prevents an airline from trawling your data to gauge your income bracket in order to up-charge when possible.
This is a myth, plain and simple. Airlines don’t know how much you make.
But they do use something called dynamic pricing to set their rates. These fluctuate according to demand, fuel prices, and even location. That means a VPN might help you find a secret deal, as the software changes your geo-location by using a different server.
My secret on how to book flights revolves around my VPN. I’ve noticed that flights are cheaper depending on where my server is located. If you have a VPN, start looking around.
Similarly, you may have noticed that when you shop around for flights, they mysteriously double in price when you return to a page to finalize a purchase. That’s because the dynamic pricing feature now thinks there’s more demand.
Before you navigate back to the page, clear your browsing history. Ideally, this will prevent that dynamic pricing feature from flagging the upsurge in demand.
Wait until the last minute (daredevils only)
I’m sure you’ve heard about this trick before—but does it actually work? In the post-pandemic era, I’ve noticed this trend going out of style. Airlines are overbooking more than ever before, which means it’s difficult to find any seats when you wait until the last minute.
That being said, it’s not entirely off the table. There are two reasons why waiting until the last minute might work for you. First, if your travel dates are flexible. Second, if you’re flying during the off-season.
The latter is particularly important. Less demand means more empty seats. And more empty seats means steeper deals from airlines trying to fill them.
Fly on the holiday
This one might be a hard sell. However, I’ve found that flying on the holiday itself is a great way to save big on major holidays. As an American who regularly misses all the fun in the US due to pricy flights, this is a great compromise for me.
Though flying on July 4 or Thanksgiving means that I miss some family time, I don’t miss the broader festive mood. Plus, my family (like many others) tends to celebrate with more than one gathering—which means I don’t usually miss all of the festivities.
Join an airline (or a rewards program)
I’ve seen quite a few Americans recommend joining a travel rewards program. This lets them start spending on their vacation and earning points toward flights. While this is a great way to get a few free flights, it’s a very American approach.
In other words… what if you didn’t need to put thousands on a credit card to enjoy your vacation? (Am I the only one who’s suspicious of going into debt?)
If joining a rewards program is right for you, then go for it. It’s a fantastic way to earn free flights and other experiences all while crafting the vacation of your dreams.
However, if you’re a little wary about tossing thousands onto a card, then simply join a loyalty program with an airline. The savings don’t accrue immediately, but I’ve enjoyed the overall experience. (I’m a few years into a long-term relationship with Lufthansa and it’s going really well!)
Flight alerts
Plenty of people recommend setting up flight alerts. From Skyscanner to Google Flights, I’ve seen this tip billed again and again as the paragon of savings. And I agree that it’s a solid idea.
Simply set your metrics, then let an algorithm find a suitable flight and alert you.
The problem is that you need to move quickly when you see these offers. You won’t be the only person alerted to the price drop and there aren’t an infinite number of seats available—you get it. Only those who are alerted to emails will get the notification in the first place.
I avoid screens at all costs, which means this isn’t really an option for me. Even the idea stresses me out. But I know that this method has worked for others, so feel free to try it out.
Use apps strategically
There are a bevy of new apps hitting the market that promise to connect you to cheaper flights. I haven’t personally used any of these, but I’ve seen Hopper recommended multiple times.
To access flight savings and receive direct flight alerts, download the app. (They have a browser site where you can book flights, hotels, and more, but the savings are geared toward the mobile app.) Keep in mind that this app works like a booking agent, which means you still need to save and store your confirmation number from the airline.