Majjas Travel Diary

The Art of Booking Cheap Flights (aka How to Outsmart the System)

Let’s be real—paying full price for flights is for people who don’t know the hacks. Lucky for you, I’m about to spill all the tea on how to book cheap flights like a pro. Take notes!

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1. Timing is Everything (But Also Kinda Not)

You’ve probably heard that booking on a Tuesday at 3 AM under a full moon will get you the cheapest fares. Spoiler: That’s mostly a myth. Flight prices are all about demand, but some general rules still apply:

• Book 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights, 3-6 months for international ones.
• Flying midweek (Tuesdays & Wednesdays) is usually cheaper than weekends.
• Early morning and red-eye flights tend to have lower fares—because who really wants to be at the airport at 4 AM? Except for those of us (me) who prefer the earliest flight.

2. The Magic of Skiplagging (Shhh, Airlines Hate This Trick)

Ever heard of hidden city ticketing? It’s when you book a flight with a layover in your actual destination, then just dip at the layover instead of continuing to the final stop. Airlines hate it, but your wallet will love it. And guess what? Skiplagged makes it ridiculously easy to find these flights. Just search your route, and boom—potential savings unlocked. Airlines hate this simple hack so much that Skiplagged has actually been sued, 3 times!

3. Use Google Flights Like a Travel Wizard

Google Flights is your BFF when it comes to tracking prices. Here’s how to work the system:

• Use the “Explore” feature if you’re flexible on where to go.
• Set price alerts to catch drops (because airlines love to play games with fares).
• Check the calendar view for the cheapest days to fly.

This is how I spontaneously booked my flight to Colombia at 2 am sitting at my overnight job. Best trip ever!

4. Budget Airlines: A Blessing and a Curse

Yes, budget airlines can be dirt cheap—but they also love to nickel-and-dime you. Before you jump on that $20 fare, consider:

• Baggage fees can cost more than the flight itself (I learned this the hard way)
• Seats are basically made of cardboard.
• Some budget airlines fly to random airports 50 miles from the actual city or have ridiculous layovers.

That said, if you can pack light and don’t mind sacrificing comfort, budget airlines are a solid move for saving cash.

5. The VPN Trick (Because Airlines Are Watching You)

Did you know airlines track your searches and sometimes hike up prices if they see you checking the same flight repeatedly? Avoid this nonsense by:

• Using incognito mode AND clearing cookies when searching.
• Switching up your location with a VPN to see if different countries get better fares.

I booked a “$632” American Airlines flight (via the incognito tab & clearing cookies) for $332!! Try it!

6. Points, Miles, and Free Flights (Yes, Really)

Credit card points and airline miles are basically free money if you play the game right. A few ways to rack up rewards:

• Sign up for a good travel rewards credit card (bonus points = free flights).
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Great for good to excellent credit) – Offers a massive sign-up bonus, 2x points on travel and dining, and flexible point transfers to airline partners.
  • Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Good for fair to excellent credit) – Straightforward rewards with 2x miles on every purchase, plus an easy-to-use redemption system.
  • Discover it® Miles (Best for fair to good credit) – No annual fee, unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases, and a unique first-year miles match for extra rewards.
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (Best for luxury perks & frequent travelers) – Premium benefits like airport lounge access, 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines, and elite hotel status.
• Always enter your frequent flyer number, even if you don’t fly often.
• Check for airline partnerships—your Delta miles might work on Air France, too.

7. When in Doubt, Let Skiplagged Do the Work

Seriously, if you want to find the absolute cheapest flights without spending hours searching, just use Skiplagged and let the algorithm work its magic. Whether it’s hidden city fares, mistake fares, or just straight-up better prices, it’s one of the best tools out there.

Now go make mama proud and book those cheap flights like the savvy traveler you are. And remember: every dollar saved on airfare is a dollar you can spend on more important things—like street food, cocktails with a view, or that random souvenir you definitely don’t need but have to have. ✈️