Finding Cheap Flight Tickets: Imagine this: you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, and the excitement is palpable. You’ve got your destination in mind, your bags half-packed, and your heart set on adventure. But there’s one daunting hurdle standing between you and your dream getaway – the ever-elusive cheap flight ticket.
It often feels like airlines have a knack for playing tricks on us, making ticket prices soar just when we’re ready to book. It’s a frustrating game of cat and mouse, leaving travelers like you and me feeling helpless and drained.
But what if I tell you there’s a trick up our sleeves, a secret weapon that savvy travelers have been using to tilt the odds in their favor? Buckle Up as we are now going to unveil the ultimate hack to help you reduce airfare costs! Any Guesses? Umm OK, we won’t test your nerves anymore. It might come as a big surprise but you can use VPNs to book cheap flight tickets and go on holiday excursions without breaking the bank.
With this ingenious tool, you have the power to change your virtual location, and in doing so, you can find airline ticket prices that could save you a good deal of money.
In this article, we’re about to let you in on this well-kept secret, a travel hack that promises to revolutionize the way you plan your journeys. We’ll show you how to use a VPN to outsmart the airlines, find the best deals, and embark on your adventures without draining your bank account.
Get ready to take control of your travel expenses and discover how to fly smarter and pay less. It’s time to make your travel dreams a reality.
You might also like to read: 15 Legit Websites to Find Cheap Hotels
Here’s how You Can Use a VPN to find Cheap Flight Tickets Online
If you are looking to find the best price for your next travel itinerary, know that your geographical location can greatly influence the ticket price displayed online. Most airlines make use of dynamic pricing that tends to change based on the demand and supply, location, and travel time.
The price for the same flight can be different when booking from different countries. For example, if you are booking an Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai, the price displayed online may be different than when booking the same flight from another country, say USA or New Zealand.
To make sure you get the cheapest deal, you can use a VPN to hide your actual location and use another virtual location to get the best deal. Want to know how to use a VPN for cheaper flight tickets? Here is a step-by-step guide to using a VPN for booking cheap flight tickets.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a VPN to Find Cheap Flight Tickets
- Pick out a good and reliable VPN from tons of options available online.
- Download and install the application on your device.
- Open and sign in with your credentials.
- Choose a server and start searching for flights using your device’s web browser.
- You may use flight aggregation websites and online flight comparison tools to find the best deals on plane tickets.
- Note down the price for the air ticket and then proceed to clear the cache, cookies, and history in the browser.
- Now search again using different servers and compare prices to grab the best affordable deal.
- After figuring out the cheapest flight ticket, book your ticket using the same server.
- If you aren’t sure about which server to choose, you may select the destination country as your prime server for searching flights online using the VPN.
Different Factors Influencing the Price of Flight Tickets Online
Flight ticket prices seem to be changing every time you open your browser to book a flight. There are a lot of factors that may influence the price of a plane ticket displayed online. Airlines employ complex pricing algorithms to determine fares, and these algorithms take into account numerous variables to set ticket prices.
Here are some of the key factors that influence the price of plane tickets online:
- Demand and Supply
Perhaps the most significant factor affecting ticket prices is the basic principle of supply and demand. If there’s high demand for a particular route or flight, especially during peak travel seasons or holidays, airlines are likely to raise their prices. Conversely, if a flight isn’t filling up as quickly as expected, airlines may lower fares to attract more passengers.
- Booking Timing
The timing of your booking can greatly impact the price you pay. Generally, booking well in advance can lead to lower fares, while last-minute bookings often come with a premium. Airlines use dynamic pricing, so as seats fill up, prices tend to rise.
- Route and Destination
The destination and route you’re traveling can significantly affect the price of your ticket. Longer flights, those with multiple stops, or routes with limited competition may have higher fares. Popular tourist destinations also tend to have higher ticket prices.
- Class of Service
Airlines offer various classes of service, such as economy, premium economy, business, and first class, each with its unique price point. Upgrading to a higher class of service typically comes with a higher fare.
- Time of Travel
The time of day, day of the week, and season when you travel can affect ticket prices. Flights during off-peak times or mid-week are often cheaper than those on weekends or during peak travel seasons.
- Airlines and Alliances
Different airlines and airline alliances may have different pricing structures. Some carriers may offer more budget-friendly options, while others cater to premium travelers, affecting ticket prices accordingly.
- Fees and Charges
Airlines often charge fees for services such as checked baggage, seat selection, and in-flight amenities. These fees can add up and significantly impact the overall cost of your ticket.
- Competition
The level of competition on a particular route plays a role in ticket pricing. Routes with multiple airlines competing for passengers tend to have more competitive fares.
- Geographic Location
The departure and arrival airports can also influence ticket prices. Larger airports with more airlines and routes often offer more competitive fares than smaller, regional airports.
- Location of Airlines
Most airlines offer cheaper flight tickets for passengers traveling from the country of their origin. If you are looking to find cheap flight tickets, try changing your location to the airline’s country of origin and you will see a drastic drop in the ticket cost.
- Currency Exchange Rates
If you’re booking an international flight, fluctuations in currency exchange rates can affect the cost of your ticket.
- Online User Activity
Your online activity can be a significant factor influencing the price of a flight ticket. It often happens that we search for flights consecutively for 3 days and with each passing day, the cost keeps increasing. The cookies in your device system may cause a flare-up in the flight ticket prices so it’s better to clear history each time before searching for flights online.
It’s important to note that airline ticket pricing is dynamic, with fares constantly changing based on these factors and more. To find the best deals, it’s often recommended to compare prices across multiple booking platforms, be flexible with your travel dates, and consider signing up for fare alerts to catch discounts as they become available.
Best VPNs for Cheap Flight Tickets
Here are some of the best VPNs for finding cheap flight tickets online
-
Nord VPN
NordVPN is a popular choice for its strong security features and extensive server locations. It’s excellent for bypassing geographic restrictions and finding the best deals.
-
SurfShark
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN with a growing server network. It’s suitable for travelers seeking an affordable solution to access region-specific flight prices.
-
PIA
PIA is a reliable VPN service known for its strong commitment to user privacy. It offers a vast server network that can help you access competitive flight fares.
-
CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps and a dedicated “Travel” profile that optimizes VPN settings for finding cheaper flights. It’s great for beginners and experienced travelers alike.
-
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is another user-friendly VPN service that can help travelers access region-specific flight prices and potentially find cheaper fares.
Important Note:
Before you sign up and pay for subscription charges for any of the above-mentioned VPN service providers, be mindful of the fact that the use of VPNs is strictly prohibited in the UAE.
The country penalizes users who indulge in illegal activities and use VPNs for activities and services prohibited in the region. You may however use the service to carry out business and commercial activities online but remember to abide by the state rules and laws to avoid incurring fines.
6 Legit Hacks to Book Cheap Flight Tickets
To facilitate your search for cheap flight tickets online, here are 6 legit and proven hacks that you may use to find the best deals on airfares.
-
Clear history cookies and cache
Clearing cookies and cache can potentially help you find cheaper flight tickets by preventing airlines and booking websites from tracking your previous search and pricing behavior.
Many airlines and travel booking websites use dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust ticket prices based on user behavior and demand. They may track your search history and gather data on your previous flight inquiries. If they notice that you’ve been repeatedly searching for the same flight or destination, they may interpret this as a sign of high demand or urgency and raise prices accordingly.
To clear cookies and cache, you can usually find the option in your web browser’s settings. It’s important to note that while clearing cookies can help with dynamic pricing, it’s not a guaranteed method to find cheaper tickets.
Airlines and booking websites use various other factors to determine prices, and availability can change rapidly. Therefore, it’s still essential to employ other money-saving strategies like booking in advance, being flexible with your travel dates, and monitoring fare alerts to secure the best deals.
You can also check these smart tricks to lower the cost of your air tickets when booking online.
-
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Let’s be honest; the world of flight ticket pricing can often feel like a mystifying labyrinth. But fear not, for the internet has gifted us with fare comparison websites, tools, and apps. These digital wizards do the heavy lifting, scanning multiple airlines and travel agencies in mere seconds.
Websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights can be your sidekicks in this quest for the best deal. Plug in your destination, and watch as a treasure trove of options unfurls before you.
Using flight comparison tools can help you find the airlines offering the cheapest route for your destination. You can also use filters to discover the times and days with the best affordable deals. After finding a suitable price, you can make the booking directly on the platform or it can direct you to a particular airline’s official portal to make the reservation.
-
Go Incognito with VPNs
Ah, the mystical realm of VPNs, where you can become a virtual globe-trotter at the click of a button. Airlines play a cunning game with location-based pricing, and VPNs are your secret weapon. By changing your virtual location, you can unlock fares that would make even the savviest traveler do a double take.
Clearing your cookies and cache can help you reset your virtual location, potentially allowing you to see different prices. This can be particularly useful when you’re using a VPN to change your location for better deals.
-
Be Flexible
Picture this: You’ve got your heart set on a sun-soaked vacation, but your travel dates are as rigid as a steel beam. Well, it’s time to add a little wiggle room to your plans because flexibility is your ticket to savings paradise.
Airlines have their version of happy hours – it’s called “off-peak” times. Flying mid-week or during less popular seasons can unearth some jaw-dropping discounts. Be open to adjusting your travel schedule, and watch those prices drop like confetti on New Year’s Eve.
-
Count on Error Fares
Error fares, often referred to as “mistake fares,” can be a golden opportunity to score incredibly cheap flight tickets. These fares occur when airlines or online booking systems make pricing mistakes, resulting in significantly lower ticket prices than usual.
These mistakes can be due to human errors, technical glitches, or currency exchange rate issues. Savvy travelers monitor deal-finding websites, forums, and fare alert services to pounce on these error fares when they arise.
By booking error fares, travelers can enjoy substantial savings, sometimes up to 90% off the regular ticket price, and embark on their dream journeys without breaking the bank.
However, it’s important to note that error fares are typically short-lived and subject to cancellation or correction by airlines, so quick and cautious booking is essential to take advantage of this rare and fleeting opportunity.
-
Make Use Of Airline Loopholes
Airlines have complex pricing strategies, but there are some loopholes and strategies that travelers can use to potentially cut down the cost of flight tickets. Keep in mind that these techniques may not always work and can vary depending on the specific airline, route, and circumstances. Here are some potential loopholes:
- Hidden City Ticketing:
This strategy involves booking a flight with a layover at your actual destination and then simply not taking the connecting flight. For example, if you want to fly from City A to City B, you might book a flight from City A to City C with a layover in City B. However, be cautious, as airlines typically frown upon this practice, and it may violate their terms and conditions.
- Throwaway Ticketing:
Similar to hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing involves booking a flight with the intention of not using the final leg. For example, if you want to fly from City A to City B, you might book a flight from City A to City C with a connection to City B and simply not take the second flight. This practice is also against airline rules and can result in penalties or loss of frequent flyer miles.
- Positioning Flights:
Sometimes, flights originating from or terminating at a particular airport may be more expensive than flights connecting through that airport. Travelers can book a cheaper flight that connects to their desired destination, making it a “positioning flight” to save on costs.
Open-Jaw Tickets: An open-jaw ticket involves flying into one city and returning from another. This can be useful for exploring multiple destinations without the need for a round-trip ticket, potentially reducing costs.
How to Find the Cheapest Country to Book Cheap Flight Tickets When Using VPNs
Determining the absolute cheapest country to book flights from using a VPN can be challenging because flight prices are influenced by a multitude of factors, including route popularity, exchange rates, competition, and airline pricing strategies. Additionally, the availability of lower fares can change frequently. However, here are a few countries that travelers have historically found to offer competitive flight prices, especially when using a VPN to change their virtual location:
- Developing Countries:
Countries with lower average incomes and living costs often have more affordable flight options. Examples include countries in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, and parts of Africa.
- Currency Exchange Rate Favorability:
Look for countries where the local currency is weaker compared to major international currencies. Fluctuations in exchange rates can impact flight prices. Countries with weaker currencies may offer better deals.
- Regional Hubs:
Consider countries that serve as regional aviation hubs. These hubs tend to have more competitive prices due to increased competition and a larger number of flight options. Examples include the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Turkey (Istanbul), and Singapore.
- Low-Cost Carrier Dominance:
Some countries have a strong presence of low-cost carriers (LCCs) that offer budget-friendly flights. Countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have popular LCCs that can provide affordable options.
- Special Promotions and Sales:
Keep an eye out for countries where airlines frequently offer special promotions, discounts, or sales. These can lead to significant savings.
- Local Events or Festivals:
Sometimes, airlines offer discounts when major local events or festivals are taking place. Research destinations where such events coincide with your travel plans.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Find Cheap Flight Tickets?
While free VPNs can provide some level of anonymity and help you change your virtual location, they may not always be the best choice when it comes to finding cheap flights. Here’s why:
Limited Server Locations
Free VPN services often have a limited number of server locations available to users. These servers might not cover the specific countries or regions you need to access to find the best flight deals. Paid VPN services usually offer a wider selection of server locations.
Performance and Speed
VPN applications that offer free-of-cost service tend to have slower connection speeds and may impose data usage limits or bandwidth restrictions. Slow connections can be frustrating when you’re trying to browse flight booking websites or compare fares quickly.
Security and Reliability
Free VPNs may not provide the same level of security and privacy as their paid counterparts. Some free VPNs might log your browsing activity or inject ads into your web traffic, which can compromise your online experience.
Blocked IPs
Airlines and travel booking websites are aware of VPN usage for location-based pricing, and some may block known VPN server IP addresses. Free VPNs are more likely to have their IP addresses blocked, reducing their effectiveness in finding cheaper flights.
Lack of Customer Support
Free-of-cost VPNs typically offer minimal customer support or none at all. If you encounter technical issues or need assistance, you may not have anyone to turn to for help.
Unpredictable Availability
Free VPN services can be less reliable than paid ones, with potential downtime and server overcrowding during peak usage times. This can hinder your ability to access and use flight booking websites effectively.
Final Word:
In the ever-evolving world of airfare, mastering the art of using VPNs to find cheap flight tickets can be your ace in the hole. By changing your virtual location, you can unlock great deals on plane tickets and potentially reduce the overall cost of your holiday trip
However, remember that while this method can be a valuable tool in your quest for affordable travel, it should be employed with responsibility keeping in mind the laws of the land.
Also read: 6 Best Air Miles Credit Cards in UAE To Save Big On Flights