Thread by @hey_ciara

Y’all tryna travel in 2019? After almost two years of traveling the world

Here’s a thread on how I always find the cheapest flights.

I found a RT trip flight from Houston to Paris for under $450 TWICE. Flew to Mexico for $100. Arizona $30. I’ve found flights as low as $8. I gotchu!

My biggest tip? Be flexible with destinations, airlines, dates, etc., if possible.

Ditch the bucket list You might find yourself discovering an amazing place you knew nothing about for the low.

Search for flights first and then request days off based on what’s cheapest(if you don’t have obligations).

Search far & wide. Different sites have different prices/deals & features! I like google.com/flights , @skyscanner, @momondo, @kiwicom247 , and direct airline sites.

Search diff sites, browsers, airlines, & surrounding cities.

Compare prices. Don’t get played out here!

Follow sites like @scottsflights @TheFlightDeal @airfarewatchdog @EscapeHouston .They tweet out crazy flight deals all day everyday.

How I’ve never paid more than $500 for a flight to Europe!

tkqlhce.com/click-8506495-…

Go Incognito

Searching in Incognito mode(via Google Chrome) prevents airline sites from tracking your search history.

Clear your cookies if you don't use Chrome.

Major key : search often. If you search often, you’ll know if you’re getting a really good deal OR if you’re actually getting played.

Prices can change in a matter of hours so its best to search frequently if you’re looking for a deal.

Book First, Think Later

All US booking & airline sites have a 24 HOUR CANCELLATION policy,

You can buy a flight if you see a deal & you got 24hr to cancel.

Don’t forget to cancel if you need to. I book on @expedia if I know I may need to cancel.

jdoqocy.com/click-8506495-…

Set Alerts

Most sites will allow you to save your itinerary and sign up for email alerts on your route of choice. You'll receive an email when the price drops.

Apps like @hopper will predict when the best time to buy your flight is for you.

Know When To Go

Just like most industries, travel has a low season and high season.  Prices can nearly triple around holidays and big events.

Before booking travel during low season, do some research to determine why it is low season.

Know When To Purchase

6-8 weeks in advance is the general rule of thumb.

It’s said that Tuesday is the best day as well, but I’m not to sure about that.

Sometimes you can find the best deals at the last minute, but it's best to start looking early.

With the @Skyscanner app you can use the ‘everywhere’ function to search

Choose your departing city
Enter ‘Everywhere’ as your destination
It’ll choose the cheapest place, month, and even city to fly into.

PURE GOLD
anrdoezrs.net/click-8506495-…

Google.com/flights  let’s you see flight prices by the day so you can easily see what dates are cheapest! ICONIC

You can pull up a map & view all destination prices at once

Sites like @kiwicom247 you can basically play flight roulette.

You want the cheapest flight to ANYWHERE?

Choose your departure airport and/or dates
Enter a budget

They’ll find a destination that fits into your budget. Once again, be flexible.
dpbolvw.net/click-8506495-…

Get a travel credit card

only if you already have the cash bc going into debt over travel isn’t cool. the @Chase sapphire reserve card got me like 4 free flights in 2017. Also free global entry, lounge access, TSA precheck & $300 yearly travel credit.

saves time & $$

Get an airline specific credit card if you're loyal to one airline.

@SouthwestAir current sign-on bonus is a companion pass, so any friend/spouse can fly with you for free all year...which is a crazy offer. oh & you'll get points to use towards flights too.

Join #teamcarryononly

You’ll pay less in luggage fees & for airline tickets if you buy economy tickets

If you travel light, check out budget airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, Ryanair(in Europe), Etc.

Here’s $20 off my favorite carryon luggage: fbuy.me/kWrR1

If you’re a student, take advantage of sites like @studentuniverse and @statravel to find cheap deals!

If you’re under 26, these website have special deals and offers - oh and coupon codes.

Heres $20 off an international flight departing from the US: refer.studentuniverse.com/s/ciara18

Search alternative airports, especially if you live in or plan on traveling to a smaller town/city.

Larger hubs have cheaper prices. It may be better to fly into/out of the larger airport, then take a bus or train to save.

This could save you hundreds.

Use sites like @ebates to get cash back on purchases that you make on any travel booking websites.

Use browser add-ons like @honey to apply any available coupon Codes to your purchases.

ebates.com/r/HEYCIA2?eeid…

Search for flight legs separately to see if you can find a deal this way

@skiplagged searches hidden fares to see find one-way flight deals that most booking sites don’t usually show.

more tips to help save you $$$$

check the expiration date on your passport if you’re flying out of the country.

check the luggage weight allowance to avoid fees

check to see if you need a visa or other documents

& many many more on heyciara.com

if you’re just looking for more photos, tips, stories & info about travel, budget travel, solo travel, etc. Follow on instagram.com/hey_ciara