Savvy Travel Guide Shares 4 Tried-And-True Tricks for Scoring Sweet Flight Deals
I travel a lot, which means I'm always on the prowl looking for good flight deals so I don't blow my travel budget on my tickets. I've heard a lot of the classic tricks, and use some more than others; but even with my savvy skills, sometimes I still find myself shelling out more moolah than I'd like. I could use some fresh ideas!
That's where TikTok travel guide Austin Maxwell comes in the clutch. Last week he shared a video guide on his four favorite tried-and-true tricks for scoring travel deals. A couple were familiar to me (though they're savvy and worth revisiting), but the others were news to my ears!
Let's jump right in and break down Austin (aka @themaxwellstravel)'s affordable flight-snagging trips, starting with #1: track your prices on Google Flights. Pretty much everybody checks Google Flights by now, but not everyone knows that you can actually use it to track prices for specific flights and receive alerts when they change, helping you jump on deals fast. To do this, find a route with your preferred airline and dates on Google Flights and turn on the "Track Flights" switch that appears above the list- it's foolproof and very helpful.
For tip #2, Austin talks credit card points. We've all know about 'em by now, but a reminder never hurts. If you're using credit cards anyway, it's not a bad idea to invest in a travel rewards card like Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire Preferred. Just remember that the APR on travel cards (including the two he named) is usually high, so spend responsibly!
Tip #3 is one for loyal Southwest Airlines flyers: Austin recommends getting the Southwest Companion Pass. According to him, it gets you "buy one, get one free" flights for you and a companion for nearly two years!
The reason this one is for serious Southwest flyers is because the Companion Pass is a benefit you earn by either flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or by earning 135,000 qualifying points within one calendar year- Southwest Airlines's website offers a full breakdown of the details. This tip might not be for everyone, but if you frequently fly Southwest and didn't know about this, you might be leaving money on the table!
Austin's final tip was news to me: if your travel plans are flexible, he recommends a website called Going. Going.com lets you track prices to and from airports without necessarily following specific dates, sending you email alerts whenever the price drops. If your dream vacation suddenly becomes super-affordable, you'll be the first to know!
I'm always hungry for more travel knowledge, and Austin came through with some gold nuggets: if nothing else, I'm bookmarking Going.com! I hope his advice can save you big bucks on your next flight!
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