There is No Magic Formula: The Truth about The Internet´s Favorite Cheap Flight Booking Hacks
Being a travel addict myself and always looking how to get the best prices on flights I decided to put these widely known hacks for cheap flight booking to test.
I had no secret for you I promise, from search incognito and hunting the internet to find a cheap deals. Here’s what I discovered:
1. Incognito Mode: A Myth
One of the most common hacks touted by budget-conscious travelers is the use of incognito mode while browsing for flights.
The belief is that airlines track our searches and inflate prices accordingly. However, after numerous experiments and research, I can confidently debunk this myth.
Despite the widespread belief, there is no concrete evidence to support the notion that browsing in incognito mode leads to cheaper fares. Flight prices fluctuate constantly due to various factors, rendering the incognito mode hack ineffective.
Example: In my own testing, I attempted to find variations in flight prices while browsing in incognito mode compared to regular browsing.
However, the results consistently showed no significant difference in fares, indicating that the myth of cheaper prices in incognito mode is unfounded.
2. Timing of Booking: No Magic Formula
Another prevalent myth revolves around the idea that booking flights at specific times of the day or on particular days of the week can yield significant savings.
However, my investigation revealed that there is no magical formula for securing the best deals. Flight prices are dictated by supply and demand dynamics, rather than the time of booking.
While certain days or times might occasionally offer slightly lower fares, there is no consistent pattern to exploit.
Example: Despite the common belief that booking flights late at night or on Tuesdays can result in cheaper fares, my research found no substantial evidence to support this claim.
Flight prices remained largely consistent regardless of the time or day of booking, indicating that timing alone does not guarantee savings.
3. Flying on Off-Peak Days: A Valid Strategy
Contrary to the previous myth, flying on off-peak days or times can indeed result in substantial savings. By opting for early morning or late-night flights, travelers can take advantage of lower demand and consequently reduced ticket prices.
Additionally, flying mid-week, when most people are occupied with work commitments, can further drive down costs. This hack aligns with the basic principles of supply and demand, making it a valuable strategy for budget-conscious travelers.
Example: During my research, I found that flights departing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offered lower fares compared to those departing on weekends or Mondays.
For instance, a round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles on a Tuesday was significantly cheaper than the same route on a Friday, highlighting the potential savings of flying on off-peak days.
4. Budget Airlines: Proceed with Caution
While it’s true that budget airlines offer incredibly low fares, the overall cost may not always be as budget-friendly as it seems.
While the initial ticket price may be enticingly low, additional fees for baggage, seat selection, and other amenities can quickly add up.
Therefore, it’s essential to carefully weigh the total cost of flying with a budget carrier against traditional airlines before making a decision.
Example: In my experience, booking a flight with a budget airline appeared to offer substantial savings initially.
However, upon closer inspection, the additional fees for luggage, priority boarding, and in-flight meals significantly increased the overall cost of the journey, making it comparable to or even more expensive than flying with a traditional carrier.
5. Round-Trip vs. One-Way Tickets: It Depends
Another misconception is that round-trip tickets are always less expensive than two separate one-way fares.
Although a return flights usually cost less than one-way tickets, particularly for international or long-haul flights, they are not always the cheaper option. On domestic short haul flights booking two one-way tickets could actually prove to be more cost effective and less of a hassle for you providing some flexibility and potentially prices.
Example: I analyzed the costs of a round-trip ticket vs. two one-ways on different routes.
In certain cases, especially shorter domestic flights, it was often cheaper to book two one-way tickets which could give you more choice when selecting the airlines and might save money for each individual legs of your journey.
6. Non-Refundable Tickets: Not Always Non-Refundable
Many of these “non-refundable” tickets include a 24-hour grace period for passengers to cancel without charge, especially on flights that touch or originate in the U.S.
This little-discussed policy can be a godsend, saving you from sky-high flight-change and cancellation fees.
Example: In one case I booked a non-refundable flight and then found something better.
I showed that when you know an airline policy and a little about consumer rights, like the 24-hour cancellation rule, you can nicely get your beloved itinerary while cancelling the original booking without a charge.
7. VPN: A Mixed Bag
It is a hot debate whether you should employ the strategy of using a VPN to fake your location while searching for flights. In practice, there was some variability found in the pricing that travelers could access depending on their virtual location (which theoretically makes sense).
Example: I changed my virtual location via a VPN and tried to check the flight prices by moving region to region which provides me different results.
Granted, some routes just like back in the day did appeal to lower prices based on my location; but those differences were not predictably major.
And using a VPN to book flights also raises some ethical red flags, and may go against terms of service for certain booking platforms.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the only way to discern truth from fiction when it comes to making flight reservations is experience. Some strategies will result in real savings, but others might underperform or even cost money.
Well, the next time you go on a quest for budget-friendly flights, just remember to take it with a grain of salt. And safe travels that do not break the bank!
