How to Book CHEAP FLIGHTS! Top 8 Tips 🛫

[@NoraDunn]

Scrap Incognito and search for cheap flights using a VPN! I have NordVPN and I love it: go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=427&aff_id=31324&source=KZbin (This video is NOT sponsored by NordVPN. I just love it and I use it all the time, and the above link earns me a small commission if you get a plan, which by the way is only a couple of bucks a month). I did a fair bit of research to create this video. Because there's a lot of misinformation out there about booking flights. For example: There is no best day to book your flight (but there is a best day to fly...sometimes). Incognito doesn't work (but I'll show you what does work). And avoid booking through certain kinds of sites at all costs. Curious? This week's video is going to save you some cold hard cash the next time you're flying! CHEAP FLIGHT ALERT SERVICES that I mentioned: ✈ Dollar Flight Club (affiliate) - bit.ly/3P8tUAd ✈ Scott's Cheap Flights - scottscheapflights.com ✈ Airfare Watchdog - www.airfarewatchdog.com ✈ Secret Flying - www.secretflying.com

[@sarahphillips295]

I can't get enough of this channel. You are awesome Nora. Always make sure you price out two one-way tickets as opposed to one round trip ticket also. I've saved money doing this more than once. A word of caution when booking through an online travel agent. If anything happens and your flight is delayed or canceled, you have to go through the OTA for any reimbursement or refund. Getting your money back is often a much bigger hassle and slower than if you're dealing with the airline directly. The airline may also be substantially less likely to offer you compensation not required by law. Also do your homework and make sure you know how far away the airport that you're flying into is from your hotel or accommodation. If it's too far, transportation to your accommodation could eat up even more than your savings on the cheaper ticket. For you solo traveling ladies especially proper preparation and planning is esessential to our safety. Arrive during daylight hours if possible. Never arrive without knowing how you're getting from the airport to wherever you're staying.

[@NoraDunn]

Fabulous tips, Sarah! Thanks for your kind words too.

[@4nbop80user]

I also love Google flights but I do compare airlines’ travel class policies : a premium on Air Canada doesn’t give you a better seat or food - it’s just more flexible, something I’m not interested in. When possible, I look for one-ways on tourist routes, with tourist airlines (Tui, Condor,…) and see how I can complement with trains, especially in Europe. That strategy can Significantly affect the price, like 25% of regular. Virgin : I don’t book Premium. Very expensive. Book Economy and upgrade later. Same flight, big price difference. Sometimes Economy with ‘special seat’ is best option.

[@NoraDunn]

Great tips!!

[@Anonymous99997]

I used to take a yearly trip to Vietnam in the Spring. It got to the point where I could predict the best time to book. We would fly ANA (which is a great Airline) but we would book it as a codeshare through United and saved a bunch. So the tip is to try to figure out which airlines offer the same flight just under their number. An example is ANA 101, IAD to HND. This flight is codeshared as United 7941. (Note the codeshare has four digits.) The interesting thing is that there is another flight, United 803, IAD to HND, that leaves 15 minutes later. That is an actual United flight, which is codeshared on ANA as ANA 7029. You have to be careful that you think you are getting a 👍👍👍👍 ANA flight and end up on a United flight. 👎

[@NoraDunn]

Pro tips!! THanks :-)

[@gowery3]

Hi Nora, I found you by accident, enjoyed your first video and kept on watching which led me to this cheap flight video, which I am currently searching for a flight for my cruise in November. I was doing the incognito lol, and I had no idea about Google flights, that valuable piece of information alone was well worth my time watching your video, not to mention everything else. I paused the video and checked it out and found the cheapest flight since I began my search 3 days ago. So now I'm thinking this was no accident. I will be sharing this video with friends and family. Thank you so much and safe travels

[@NoraDunn]

Wow - thank you so much, Yvonne! So glad these tips helped you get a cheap flight :-)

[@suewolf3279]

I worked inventory control for Delta Airlines in 19 80 and 1981. I worked a sector and if I recall correctly it was about 50 flights. I worked 8 hours a day 5 days a week, and continuously adjusted the number of seats available for each per flight. Giving specific attention to certain flights that could never be overbooked, and other flights that could always be over booked. Constantly verifying the booking against the actual ticketing. Nowadays, that last part is a lot easier since most tickets have to be purchased within 24 hours. There is no magic day of the week. There is no magic hour of the day either. You could find a great deal and book the seat, and 5 minutes later, try to get a second seat for that same price, and it's gone. You're fighting against the chance of dozens or more of people trying to book possibly the same thing, including travel agency Airline employees Etc. Plus the fact maybe only one seat was allocated for that special price.

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks for the intel, Sue! VERY interesting.

[@m.wheeler2976]

Yes! Our airport has a special flight price every day for one seat from my home town to Dallas for just $39.00. My hubby & I fly seperate flights so we both get that special price in both directions. We're retired so we're not on time sensitive schedules. I always send him first. We have about a 2 hour separation, then take our big flight together later in the day. We save about $150.00 doing this.

[@susanlyles4674]

Is Skyscanner really safe to use. I've heard of people getting ripped off 😢

[@dogstyle6349]

Thank you for this. OTAs are the worst for making changes or redeeming cc points. A lot of folks don't know about the 24hr cancellation rule so yes, if it looks like a great deal, grab it. Nora, you look Xtra cute in this video😊

[@granthanham9082]

I've just started watching your videos Nora and I am finding them very informative and useful. I love the energy in your presentation. And I just signed up for NordVPN !

[@NoraDunn]

Thanks, Grant!

[@lawrencefox563]

Pricing is tiered based on demand first seats sold cheapest as opposed to last.

[@1958zed]

I recently tried the VPN trick for a flight on Air New Zealand, and the prices were the same. I agree with flexibility on travel dates, but I draw the line at turning a trip with 9 hours travel time into a multi-leg ordeal of 20+ hours travel time just to save a few bucks. That's essentially losing a vacation day to travel, and setting yourself up for travel delays or lost luggage.

[@NoraDunn]

100%! There's a line somewhere between accepting a slightly less convenient itinerary to save money, and sacrificing your trip to do so. Frankly, unless I want to build in a layover, I am okay paying more for a direct flight...as long as it's not TOO much more ;-)

[@WayApp]

Thanks for sharing these amazing tips!

[@NoraDunn]

Glad you like them!

[@melodyanderson2982]

Scott’s cheap flights is kmow called Going

[@NoraDunn]

Yes! Thanks for the update.

[@catheriam1945]

Thanks for some myth-exploding, flight-booking wise and for a less intrusive musical background ...so I can pay attention to your useful information! Huzzah!

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you so much Catherine!

[@kovie9162]

A lot of this comes down to how much time one is willing and able to invest in finding the cheapest flights and how no-frills and flexible one is willing and able to go and be to save those last few bucks. Time has a certain value both monetary and otherwise and it can often be a false economy to spend too much of it to save that those last few bucks (or whatever currency one uses). You also have to consider the FULL cost of a flight that includes charges for luggage, seats, meals and so on. Finally, you have to consider the physical and emotional costs of money saved if you end up being tired, sore, irritable or ill after a too-long flight with too many segments with too long layovers at bad times in uncomfortable seats on unreliable airlines with rude staff. I myself usually opt for the cheapest flights I can get that meet the minimal criteria I have for flying based on my practical needs and preferences such as luggage, airlines, location of airports and length and number of layovers. Like, no more than 2 segments, no layover of more than 3-4 hours if I can help it, no departing from an airport too far away and hard to get to unless the savings are massive, etc. E.g. I live 20 minutes from JFK but well over an hour and several buses and trains from Newark, so any savings would have to be well over $100 for me to fly out of the latter. Back before booking flights online was a thing (yeah I'm old haha), I used to book flights through ticket consolidators, who had access to every airline's flight and price schedule and always got me a great deal. It was SO much easier back then, and airlines were much more generous with luggage and seat policies. But those days are long gone and it's mostly DIY now. But even that has its limits.

[@NoraDunn]

You're so right - it's a balancing act between preferences, budget, and patience for exploring every rabbit hole under the sun. I tend to get sucked into too many rabbit holes, and it costs me in other ways.

[@kovie9162]

@@NoraDunn Hah, tell me about it. I spent an ungodly amount of time planning a trip this past late summer and fall to several countries, flights, trains, hotels, attractions, etc., and much of it got canceled because of "circumstances" (i.e. being caught in the middle of a war zone as I wrote about previously, with getting out safely taking priority over everything else, which thankfully we did, but boy was it hairy for a while). Luckily we got to salvage part of it, which was nice, but Normandy will have to wait... And, speaking of rabbit holes, although what initially brought me to your channel was the KZbin algorithm making suggestions since I like to watch a lot of travel-related channels and videos, as I've been getting deeper into it, wow, there's so much more there than I first realized, and damn, you have done a bleepload of traveling and living! (I tend to not use profanity unless I know someone well and then save it for special occasions. 😆). I know I've said it before but still, I am so in awe (and also amazed that you haven't grown weary of it as I did a decent amount of traveling when younger and really enjoyed it but sort of got it out of my system--sort of). Also pretty impressive is how you appear to have found a way to balance your more carefree and wanderlusty (is that a word?) side with your more practical and down to earth side. It's almost like the world kind of wants one to pick one side or the other, which I guess is part of the point of this channel, combining the two in a way that works. Kind of a female Rick Steves meets Boxcar Willie. 🤣

[@NoraDunn]

@@kovie9162 Female Rick Steves meets Boxcar Willie - that's a new one!!! 😂

[@kovie9162]

@@NoraDunn Heh, you don't even want to know the other one I thought of recently, although perhaps it's occurred to you already. Abbreviate "Professional Hobo" and you get "Pro Ho", which, well, yeah, doesn't quite seem...right... 🤣 (I hope I haven't stepped over the line here but you clearly have a good sense of humor.)

[@NoraDunn]

@@kovie9162 Ha! While participating in a language exchange in Spain many years ago, my Spanish friends started calling me Pro Ho, at which point I had to explain why it's not the best choice of words 😂

[@listenlittleman1187]

Nora these are great tips

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you!

[@tedrick4713]

Good stuff again.!

[@julesgoulet3961]

I had a bad experience with Hopper. I will not book with them again.

[@urszulab8397]

Interesting 🧐 will listen to it later 😊

[@cltinturkey]

Happy New Year Nora! I love your videos and the information is so helpful. I'd still like to respectfully request you nix the background music and sound effects entirely. I have trouble concentrating on your message with the competing sounds. If I cut the volume low enough to muffle the background music, I can hardly hear you. If I'm the only one who feels this way, I'll wish you the best and head out. Take care, From Virginia

[@NoraDunn]

Hey Virginia, I took your comment on another video to heart and have removed (or substantially reduced) the volume of background music in future videos. But I also work a few weeks ahead with videos so your patience is appreciated. I personally don’t have the same trouble with the sound levels but maybe my devices are different. I don’t doubt that it’s troublesome for you and I thank you for your feedback.

[@cltinturkey]

@@NoraDunn Thank you.

[@stevebalestreri7427]

Very good information. You didn't mention how many days ahead is the best time to purchase an international flight?

[@NoraDunn]

@@stevebalestreri7427 - Ooh - good one! I'll be sure to include that in a future video. The time frame varies since prices are so fluid, but most people say the "sweet spot" is between 2 weeks and 4 months out from your departure date.

[@spencerrobinson5385]

Tip 9...... Date an airline employee 😂

[@NoraDunn]

😂 Good one!

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

@@NoraDunn My son works for Delta. That’s better than dating and airline employee 😊

[@NoraDunn]

@@MarilynMayaMendoza 😂

[@ZandieyM]

Thanks for all your tips! We appreciate you!

[@NoraDunn]

Thank you! :-)

[@fleazapp]

I onced booked with an ota and it was cheaper than on the airline webiste. same flight. crazy😅

[@NoraDunn]

It is odd! I've had it happen a couple of times - and sometimes it worked out just fine, and other times it didn't. Ha! I trust your flight went through okay?

[@chuckduzzie8529]

Hopper used to be good, I have not any success with them this last year.

[@NoraDunn]

I have used them to track prices a couple of times in the past year but I also haven't found their predictions to be as accurate as in the past.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Great content and nicely presented. P.S. I'm a cookie-clearer.

[@NoraDunn]

Nice! Never a bad thing, clearing cookies.

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

Thanks Nora. I have not tried Hopper. Going to check it out. 🤔

[@NoraDunn]

Hopper is a good one. Enjoy!

[@julesgoulet3961]

Bad experience with Hopper. I won’t book with them again. Plus the only thing you get with them if you do book with them is “save a few bucks”, very very little, and they give it to you in carrot cash which you can only apply a little at a time on other reservations with them. Plus you can never talk to a real person in case of a problem, they do not have a phone number. I could go on and on, but i will NEVER book with them again!

[@NoraDunn]

@@julesgoulet3961 Thanks for sharing! Indeed, booking directly with the airline will always be the best best.

[@vishnu439]

Hopper is actually more expensive compared to other apps

[@protochris]

Tried all of these methods for a trip to Athens, Greece. No matter what work arounds you try, you can't beat the on line booking agency. Most of these tips do not apply to 95% of flights.

[@jetbisayaadventures1437]

Safest is directly book with the airline itself , if there’s problem and your ticket was booked from third party then some issues occurs I can guarantee the airline will tell you to call the agency who book your flight period. Stop complaining to them ! But if you booked with the airline they will simply will try or help you right there and then.

[@NoraDunn]

I agree! The safest bet is always to book with the airline.

[@zilam98]

not sure if it was on this video that dealt with how on the main airline website, you can't find the trips that you could see on Google Flights. right now, i'm trying to book for September a round trip USA to the philippines, but both Alaska Air and Korean air (my most fav airline) couldn't show me any trips from dallas to philippines in my selected date, and even dates in october. i'm desperate for help! 🙏🙏🙏

[@NoraDunn]

Oh dear! I'm not sure how to advise you. That's bizarre!

[@shogunsxf]

What's the tip u have for the airline having cheaper flights then any of the names u listed

[@bg6283]

I'm struggling with domestic flights. My oldest child started university this year and airline tickets home are often double what we paid when we visited the school. It's frustrating when we can't be flexible on dates by more than one day. Does changing your location with a VPN affect domestic fares at all?

[@NoraDunn]

I don't know if a VPN helps with domestic fares. However if you're finding the prices are dramatically different, is it possible that changing the origin airport could help? As in, if visits to the school (home - school - home) were cheaper than visits home (school - home - school)....could you structure tickets so they're school-home-school just with longer times between the "outward" and "return" ticket? It requires a 1-way ticket to get them from home to school, then return tickets from there on in. Just an idea. Make sense?

[@riskyron1416]

The thing driving me nuts is I found a Round Trip ticket SJO to BOG. for $278. Went to book it and to make the return flight was anoyjer $512. Whayt about Round Trip don't they understand. Also flying through a country is often cheaper than direct to the one I want.

[@starmaster191]

Thoughts on skiplagged?

[@NoraDunn]

I've never used it. You?

[@stevewagner7507]

How to book cheap flights. Spend hours and hours researching and comparing.

[@NoraDunn]

You're not entirely wrong there, Steve LOL

[@JadeDeCosta]

Nora I live in Hawaii so there’s really only one airport I can use (HNL) to go anywhere. Is it still worth it to pay a flight club like Dollar or Going etc?? Like are they searching for outgoing HNL routes or just incoming deals to Hawaii? I always feel we in Hawaii are at a travel disadvantage so any thoughts on this would be appreciated, thanks!!

[@NoraDunn]

Hi Jade, Most of the subscription services allow you to pick your home airport, so they'll show you deals that pertain to where you are. If in doubt, check with them before you purchase a membership.

[@bluehannah8696]

My sister had to change her flight from yesterday to Sunday due to a family emergency. She was on the phone on hold in the process of booking a flight, when the doctor called. She put her phone on hold to answer the doctor and got disconnected. She called back within a half hour and the flight was $150 more. It’s pretty amazing how much flight prices fluctuate.

[@NoraDunn]

OMG that's awful!

[@nateroy9412]

@@NoraDunn but a bank could stop credit card on this.

[@coziii.1829]

No cheap flights I like leg room First or business class

[@NoraDunn]

Good for you.

[@kovie9162]

If I could afford it and had enough miles I'd do the same. But, since I, like most people, can't, I prefer to save money on flights and spend it on more satisfying and important things at my destination, like hotels, meals, sites, souvenirs, etc.

[@NoraDunn]

@@kovie9162 I agree. It's all about choices (and budgets - ha)

[@kovie9162]

@@NoraDunn Yep, vive le choix (et le budget)!

[@jetbisayaadventures1437]

Okay how to use vpn: simple question , I need simple answer because I’m not tech savvy therefore I only need very direct and simple explanation.

[@danielbuckett5913]

Nora said VPN settings can be changed to show you're at switchable locations. A tech guy said if your computer needs troubleshooting the first thing they'll do is shut off the VPN to isolate that from being the issue. I heard VPN used at public WI FI places thwarts hackers. Write me back to say what you've learned so far.

[@belliott4844]

A VPN hides your location and helps keep you a little more secure in public spaces. I find my Nord VPN causes issues on my phone with apps not working and have to turn if odd a lot. With a VPN you have the option to make your phone/computer look like it's in a different country simply by clicking on a different location. They are very inexpensive and worth it IMO, some are even free. I also use it to watch my local TV programs in other countries so that when you try to connect you don't get "you can't watch out of your country" message as when I sign in to Netflix, I put my VPN to Canada. Hope this helps😊.