Thread by @hey_ciara

Y’all tryna travel in 2020? Here’s a thread on how I always find the cheapest flights:

#30daysofthreads #heyciaratravels

I found a RT trip flight from Houston to Paris for under $450 Three times.

Flew to Mexico for $100.

Arizona $30.

I’ve found flights as low as $8.

I've flown for free using credit card points.

I gotchu!

My biggest tip?

BE FLEXIBLE with locations, airlines, dates, etc.

Ditch the bucket list.

You might discover an amazing place you knew nothing about for the low.

Ex: Skyscanner has a 'flexible fare calendar' to search cheapest destinations & dates: bit.ly/36nCqUW

Specific dates will lock you into prices.

If you aren’t obligated to be somewhere on certain dates search for flights first, THEN choose dates based on what’s the most affordable.

Then request time off based on that.

Search far & wide.

Use multiple sites! I also like google.com/flights, @KAYAK, @momondo & direct airline(@united, @AmericanAir) sites.

Different sites will show different prices & also have diff features. Don’t get played out here!

Like Skyscanner, Google.com/flights lets you see flight prices by the day. So you can see what dates are cheapest!

Simply ICONIC!

You can also search without a location.

Might find yourself on a flight unexpectedly!

Google.com/flights also has this feature where you can pull up a map & view all destination prices at once. Once again giving you insane visibility.

@kiwicom247 is also good for this dpbolvw.net/click-8506495-…

SET PRICE 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.

@hopper is amazing for this!

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.

Follow

@TheFlightDeal

@airfarewatchdog

@EscapeHouston

@TravelPiratesUS

@scottsflights

@SecretFlying

They tweet crazy deals all day every day. They also have sites/apps/newsletters subscriptions. kqzyfj.com/click-8506495-…

How I got cheap flights to Europe EVERYTIME

Get a travel credit card - only if you already have the cash bc going into debt over travel isn’t cool.

I've gotten like 6 free flights w/ @Chase Sapphire reserve.

Also free global entry, lounge access, TSA precheck & $300 yearly travel credit.

Travel Credit cards will help you get free baggage, airline points, etc. All things that will help you save money on your flight, at the airport, and your overall travels.

Compare travel credit cards on sites like
@thepointsguy
@NerdWallet
@creditkarma

If you travel light,

Check out economy flight fares and budget airlines like Frontier, Spirit, Ryanair(in Europe), Etc.

Yea you won’t be gettin free peanuts, but you could be saving hundreds on airfare.

Just make sure you pack light.

Join Team Carry-On Only

You could save up to $100 (and time waiting at the gate) with certain airlines by choosing not to check a bag.

The current carryon I use: fbuy.me/kWrR1

Use StopOver Flights

Use sites like @skiplagged to take advantage of stop-over flights.

Just don't check a bag & you can get off at layover stops that won't be revealed to you during a regular flight search.

USE YOUR STUDENT STATUS

Anyone up to the age of 26(you don't actually have to be a student) can use sites like @StudentUniverse and @statravelUS for unique flight promotions & deals.

refer.studentuniverse.com/s/ciara18

Book Now, Think Later

Waiting days and hours can make the difference in hundreds or thousands of dollars.

@Expedia & most US airlines will give you 24hrs to receive a refund for cancellation, so be sure to review their cancellation policy

bit.ly/39GVgsn

Get Cashback

Sites like @Rakuten(previously ebates) will give you cashback when you shop on travel booking sites like @Expedia

ebates.com/r/HEYCIA2?eeid…

Check Nearby Airports

If you live in a small town, it may be best to search for flights departing from the biggest city near you.

Flights are likely to be cheaper from larger hubs.

As you can see, it takes a lot of time & research to find cheap flights.

Save/pin my blog post for more: heyciara.com/blog/howtofind…

Follow along on instagram.com/hey_ciara for travel photos, tips, stories, etc.