Air fares have risen more than 30 percent in the past year – leaving many families wondering how they will afford a summer vacation.
This is despite the fact that service standards are dropping – WhatsNew2Day.com revealed earlier this week that delays have reached a ten-year high.
But there’s some good news: There are a bunch of simple hacks online that can help you cut costs.
Last month, travel blogger Sam Jarman went viral on TikTok after revealing that customers should never buy flights directly from an airline, but instead use the price-tracking service Google Flights.
It’s just one of dozens of websites and apps designed to help travelers discover the best deals — some even offer refunds if your fare drops after you pay.
Here, WhatsNew2Day.com rounds up the internet’s best hacks to help you find the cheapest flights…
The cost of international travel has risen more than 200 percent in the past year, according to data from the American Automobile Association
Google flights
Google Flights claims to find and arrange the best fares.
It also gives customers an insight into what kind of deal they are getting. For example, it will tell the user if the prices for the flight they are looking for are higher than normal.
You can then have Google alert you when your flight prices start to drop.
The Going travel blogger actress revealed on TikTok that she was able to slash $141 off the price of her trip using this tool.
She told blog followers she was initially quoted $350 but eventually got it for $209 after being alerted to a cheaper deal by Google.
Earlier this month, Google Flights also announced a Price Guarantee program that monitors fares from purchase to take-off. You will then refund the difference between the price you paid and the lowest price offered for that period.
Those using Price Guarantee must have a Google Pay account and user refunds are capped at $500 annually.
Hopper
Hopper is a travel booking app that provides a ‘price freeze’ feature which means users can look up travel fees and book later.
Then the price remains frozen for a set period of time – even if prices have increased by the time the customer actually pays.
It offers a similar feature in hotel and car reservations.
However, customers must pay a small freeze fee, which depends on the ticket price and the length of the reservation.
For example, when WhatsNew2Day.com searched for a flight from New York to Chicago in May, Hooper quoted a freeze fee of $41.
It will cover the difference in any overages up to a maximum of $300 per ticket.
Expedia
Expedia offers drop protection on their app.
Like Google Flights, Expedia will monitor the flight price after you book.
If your fare falls before take off, Expedia will refund the difference.
But the travel agency charges a non-refundable fee to avail the service – which varies depending on the cost of the ticket.
There is no maximum amount for refunds.
aviation software
Major companies including American and United Airlines offer services that allow customers to freeze their fares for an agreed upon period of time.
For example, United has a FareLock program that allows users to hold the price of a flight for up to 14 days.
However, the company charges up to $20 for the service, which again varies depending on the ticket price and the length of the reservation.
Meanwhile, American Airlines will hold a free fare for 24 hours. However, freezes after this time period incur a fee.
A three-day hold costs $7.99 and a seven-day hold costs $11.99.
Websites that track price glitches
Travelers can also use websites, such as Secret Flying, that track fare errors and alert users
This week, dozens of customers ripped off $10,000 worth of flights for just $300 after a currency exchange error on Japan Airlines All Nippon Airways.
Such price gaps are all too common with dozens of travel websites, blogs and forums dedicated to highlighting them.
It also helps to follow them on social media so that deals are featured on your newsfeed.
Examples of useful websites are Going.com, secretflying.com, flightarewatchdog.com, and Kiwi.com.
Travelers also share the deals they’ve found in a discussion forum called Miles Run Talk on flyertalk.com.
