5. The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights || Google Flights || Cheap Tickets ||

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights || Google Flights || Cheap Tickets || Expedia Flights || 

Don’t Always Fly Direct

Being adaptable with your travel plans will help you find cheap flights, in addition to being flexible with your travel dates and destinations. For instance, there are times when it is less expensive to fly to London and then take a low-cost airline to Amsterdam than to fly directly from your departure city to Amsterdam.

When I traveled to Paris, I did just this. The airfare from the US cost $900 USD, but I could obtain a $60 flight to Paris if I flew to Dublin for $600. Even though it required longer flight times, I felt the $240 USD I saved was worthwhile.

Find out how much it would cost to travel directly to your destination before using this option. Then, open Google Flights and enter the continent of that location to view the costs to nearby airports. I check the cost of transportation from the secondary airport to my major destination (either by low-cost airline or train, if it is not too far), if the difference is greater than $150 USD. Rome2Rio can assist in your quest for the most efficient routes to take from a nearby airport to your main destination.

You can use this method to leave as well. It may be less expensive to depart from a neighboring airport. I frequently check other airports to see if it would be more affordable to fly, drive, or take a train there before continuing on to my final destination. It might be worth the extra time for lengthy international flights!

Ensure that there are at least three hours between connections if you do reserve different parts. As your second flight won't wait for you (you booked with a different airline, so they won't care if you're late or not), this will give you extra time in case there is a delay.

You can also file an insurance claim if you leave a three-hour cushion because most insurance companies want at least a three-hour delay. 

This strategy requires more work because you have to research numerous routes and various airlines. However, it may result in a cheaper flight, making the extra work worthwhile if you manage to save a few hundred dollars.

Note: You may be entitled to further compensation (up to 600 EUR) if your flight to or from Europe is ever delayed. Here's how to determine whether you qualify for compensation!

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