Been following your channel for a few years now. Hands down, the best video on the topic that I've seen so far. Really blows my mind with the various tactics airlines use and how to get around them. Thanks! Looking forward to more videos like this.
Always love the thrill of searching for flights, even if it can sometimes take days and a lot of stress to fully finalise/track! Haven’t paid for any services to help with research and rely mostly on Google Flights, but will try your suggestions - cheers!
One thing that I have found helpful is to try to avoid certain airports to connect through when possible. For instance, I am an American Airlines frequent flyer and I know if I have to connect with AA partner British Airways through London Heathrow I will pay way more than I would if I can book through AA partner Iberia's Madrid hub or partner Finnair's Helsinki one. By the way, the taxes that one has to pay to transit Heathrow are insane. Alex, I have been a fan for a long time and love your work.
One disadvantage is that if you book a return Google will expect that the inbound flight always consist of the same city pair as the outbound flight. This is not always the case, for instance you may want to depart LHR but return to LGW. The way to get around this though is to use multi-city, specifying the exact city pairs for outbound and inbound.
I hope on part two you talk about what days and what time of the day to purchase your flight. Ive heard certain days like Sat night or Monday night, etc. Not sure if any truth at all or if it matters? Anyways....love your videos and wish they were more often
Excellent tips as usual. Didn't know you were based here in the UK, we're kind of spoiled with how cheap flights can be to mainland Europe. Obviously they still could be cheaper but we do get shafted by taxes and inflation
Thanks Alex! My problem is always having flexibility on *when* I go, in pursuit of the best price. I would often like to not put in a date at all and just have it show me everything for the destination all year. However, this is more of an issue with hotels and ESPECIALLY train travel. If you're able to address this in any way in another video, that'd be much appreciated!
@@attachetravel Sorry, just saw this! Yes that's right. Kayak and Google for example has the grid of prices so you can adjust the duration or dates of the trip, even sliding from month to month, at a glance to pick the cheapest fare. An interface like that would be super useful in these sorts of hacks, or with skiplagging.
Some suggestions for part 2. 1. Using free deal finding websites and apps like Secret Flying. 2. Common point flight sweet spots. (West coast to Japan) (Miami to the Carribean on Avios) 3. How using partner airline points is valuable. (The best usage of Aeroplan points isn't on Air Canada) 4. Buying multiple tickets to save money. Instead of LAX to Canary islands. Purchase a fare to London and then using EasyJet to fly to the Canary islands.
Most of the “legacy” carriers. I.e. the big boys. American, British Airways, United, Delta, Virgin. Airlines like Norse, Icelandair, and a few others don’t punish you for not staying over a Saturday night
Seems that we share a hobby! I fly rather a lot (close to your number) in a mix of business and pleasure. It’s become a sport to try to fly premium or business class by finding the right fares, upgrades through various means, and sometimes simply finding a great deal. Expert flyer is a life saver for monitoring fare buckets availability, especially when talking about upgrade space which may appear at any time and be gone within minutes or hours.
Yeah that "cheap" premium hunt is one that has eaten up a LOT of my time. But I love doing it. And yes, you're right, it IS a hobby! See, mom, it IS a hobby!
@@attachetravel Haha. I'd say that besides it being a fun way to spend time puzzling, it also has tangible benefits like being able to fly in a higher class of service for close to the same price. Getting a bigger mileage return in the process. And by picking the right flights to keep status in multiple alliances, allowing the rest of the year to be semi-free in your flight choices...while keeping all your priority, lounge and upgrade benefits. Which all - at the end of the day - represent financial savings.
I've been meaning to travel a lot more this, so this video is incredibly handy to have - thanks! I've been preaching the gospel of Google Flights for a while now, but I hadn't heard of the other tools. Btw, even though I had phone notifications on, I didn't get this video alert. Really weird.
Never, ever book flights through third parties. There are only 2 ways to book flights - directly with the airline or through a physical travel agent. Anyone who books with third parties and then runs into trouble have no-one to blame but themselves. ITA Matrix is great btw. Real travel agents use it and then book the flights with their systems.
Yeah I'm pretty much with you on this one. Interestingly, a lot of airline partners will buy bulk too. I've managed to get big discounts on a BA flight by booking through Finnair, for example. Same mode as I describe in the video but a lot safer.
@@attachetravel Codeshares are a whole different kettle of fish. The two airlines will never work together. Say you book a Qantas flight on an Emirates aircraft. You can't get help from either airline because they tell you to go to the other!
I haven’t used skyscanner for a long time. For a while it was too slow and cumbersome but admittedly that was quite a long time ago. I should try again.
Texas resident here: for a second, I thought you had personalized your luggage tag with the George Bush Intercontinental Airport code. 😉 I'll take a guess that the "I" is for Ian.
I thought the buy a full fare, only go one way thing was something you didn't want to abuse. Don't the airlines flag you if you make a habit of it? (Guess the moral is - don't make a habit of it ...)
Not sure how you don't lose your mind. I love flying but loath everything surrounding the actual flight. Airport security [it seems to be everyone's first flight ever], airline gouging, the queue at the terminal, individual's inflight behavior...ugh.
@@attachetravel Hey, Alex. I absolutely agree. We travel as much as we are able. I meant that flying as much as you do would render myself clinically insane.
Be very careful when you book the round trip and not use the return part of the ticket. A lot of airlines are banning people from their airline when they do this. Not a good things to recommend people to do. I am really surprised that you would do this.
Been following your channel for a few years now. Hands down, the best video on the topic that I've seen so far. Really blows my mind with the various tactics airlines use and how to get around them. Thanks! Looking forward to more videos like this.
Thanks so much, Adhvaryu! I'm really glad it's useful.
Always love the thrill of searching for flights, even if it can sometimes take days and a lot of stress to fully finalise/track! Haven’t paid for any services to help with research and rely mostly on Google Flights, but will try your suggestions - cheers!
I’m heartened to hear that I’m not the only person who spends days on their flight searches 😂
@@attachetravel Oh for sure! I've probably spent more time on Google Flights than in some countries...
My mind shifted with the booking the round trip and not worrying about the return flight. Seriously simple. Thank you.
Yeah it's an infuriating problem but now you have a workaround!
I've been waiting to book a one way international flight and this video just saved me $400 by making it round trip, thanks!
Well there you go! Result!
This was useful Alex, thanks! Excited for part 2! I've been a viewer of your channel since 2015.
Thanks so much, Garishanth! Glad you found it useful.
Cant wait for part 2
This is super helpful thank you !!
Thanks, glad it helped!
One thing that I have found helpful is to try to avoid certain airports to connect through when possible. For instance, I am an American Airlines frequent flyer and I know if I have to connect with AA partner British Airways through London Heathrow I will pay way more than I would if I can book through AA partner Iberia's Madrid hub or partner Finnair's Helsinki one. By the way, the taxes that one has to pay to transit Heathrow are insane.
Alex, I have been a fan for a long time and love your work.
Yeah that last point is the key, transiting through LHR incurs those brutal UK taxes and fees.
4:56 "It is slow. It is clunky. It is UGLY. But it is VERY powerful." is what I'm having written on my tombstone.
hahaha well played, sir, well played.
Thank you for sharing! Multi city searches in google flights are a total lightbulb moment
Glad you found it useful! Yeah Google flights has quietly evolved into the best flight search tool on the internet.
One disadvantage is that if you book a return Google will expect that the inbound flight always consist of the same city pair as the outbound flight. This is not always the case, for instance you may want to depart LHR but return to LGW. The way to get around this though is to use multi-city, specifying the exact city pairs for outbound and inbound.
@@xandrios Even if you start a search with an airport city (e.g. London vs LGW/LHR)?
Great video, I was trying to explain to my fiancée why one way flights from Europe are so much pricier with cash than with miles. This nails it.
Thanks, Alex, glad it was helpful!
I had no idea you could search multiple origins and multiple desinations, what a slick tip! Thank you so much! I love Google Flights even more now :)
And THIS is why we do what we do!
I hope on part two you talk about what days and what time of the day to purchase your flight.
Ive heard certain days like Sat night or Monday night, etc. Not sure if any truth at all or if it matters?
Anyways....love your videos and wish they were more often
Ahh yeah, I had a feeling that would come up. I'll definitely address that in part 2.
Awesome video! Tip: SkyScanner is also worth checking out, I went on trips to the other side of Europe with it for €30. 😄
Yeah I've been a fan of Skyscanner in the past, especially for flights on U/LCCs.
Excellent tips as usual. Didn't know you were based here in the UK, we're kind of spoiled with how cheap flights can be to mainland Europe. Obviously they still could be cheaper but we do get shafted by taxes and inflation
Yeah the duty and taxes are really high out of the UK. UNLESS...you're redeeming miles. Then it can often be
Amazing video Alex!
Thanks!
Thanks for this video. Most helpful and will save me ££££s I am sure. It has made me think laterally!
Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks Alex! My problem is always having flexibility on *when* I go, in pursuit of the best price. I would often like to not put in a date at all and just have it show me everything for the destination all year. However, this is more of an issue with hotels and ESPECIALLY train travel. If you're able to address this in any way in another video, that'd be much appreciated!
So being able to find open-ended dates?
@@attachetravel Sorry, just saw this! Yes that's right. Kayak and Google for example has the grid of prices so you can adjust the duration or dates of the trip, even sliding from month to month, at a glance to pick the cheapest fare. An interface like that would be super useful in these sorts of hacks, or with skiplagging.
Tip #3: Would a multi-city route work too?
Example. LON-SCO-LAX
Are you ultimately trying to get to SCO or LAX?
The 747 seatbelt sign!
And the window!
Some suggestions for part 2.
1. Using free deal finding websites and apps like Secret Flying.
2. Common point flight sweet spots. (West coast to Japan) (Miami to the Carribean on Avios)
3. How using partner airline points is valuable. (The best usage of Aeroplan points isn't on Air Canada)
4. Buying multiple tickets to save money. Instead of LAX to Canary islands. Purchase a fare to London and then using EasyJet to fly to the Canary islands.
You're on the money. Good advice
This is great stuff, will definitely include in part 2. Thanks!
Attaché, which airlines have the higher prices if you fly home on Saturday ? I love your show! Thanks.
Most of the “legacy” carriers. I.e. the big boys. American, British Airways, United, Delta, Virgin. Airlines like Norse, Icelandair, and a few others don’t punish you for not staying over a Saturday night
@@attachetravel thank you for your response!!
Seems that we share a hobby! I fly rather a lot (close to your number) in a mix of business and pleasure. It’s become a sport to try to fly premium or business class by finding the right fares, upgrades through various means, and sometimes simply finding a great deal. Expert flyer is a life saver for monitoring fare buckets availability, especially when talking about upgrade space which may appear at any time and be gone within minutes or hours.
Yeah that "cheap" premium hunt is one that has eaten up a LOT of my time. But I love doing it. And yes, you're right, it IS a hobby! See, mom, it IS a hobby!
@@attachetravel Haha. I'd say that besides it being a fun way to spend time puzzling, it also has tangible benefits like being able to fly in a higher class of service for close to the same price. Getting a bigger mileage return in the process. And by picking the right flights to keep status in multiple alliances, allowing the rest of the year to be semi-free in your flight choices...while keeping all your priority, lounge and upgrade benefits. Which all - at the end of the day - represent financial savings.
@@xandrios I'm going to lose my Oneworld AND Skyteam Gold status in a couple of weeks. Ah well.
I've been meaning to travel a lot more this, so this video is incredibly handy to have - thanks! I've been preaching the gospel of Google Flights for a while now, but I hadn't heard of the other tools.
Btw, even though I had phone notifications on, I didn't get this video alert. Really weird.
That’s frustrating about the notifications. I need to look into that.
Need to check out ITA Matrix!
Complicated but worth it.
@@attachetravel You have to say it was Laurence Fisburne type gravitas though.
Never, ever book flights through third parties. There are only 2 ways to book flights - directly with the airline or through a physical travel agent. Anyone who books with third parties and then runs into trouble have no-one to blame but themselves.
ITA Matrix is great btw. Real travel agents use it and then book the flights with their systems.
Yeah I'm pretty much with you on this one. Interestingly, a lot of airline partners will buy bulk too. I've managed to get big discounts on a BA flight by booking through Finnair, for example. Same mode as I describe in the video but a lot safer.
@@attachetravel Codeshares are a whole different kettle of fish. The two airlines will never work together. Say you book a Qantas flight on an Emirates aircraft. You can't get help from either airline because they tell you to go to the other!
Here's a better answer for someone whos a normal person and isn't nerdy about flight prices. Use Google flights.
@@AlonsoRules and your connections are often unprotected. It's a gamble.
@@jacintofernandes2907 It's definitely the place to start.
Any examples of people being fined/charged for not showing for the return flights? That has to be a thing.
Ah so I think you're referring to skiplagging which is different. Feels like we should do a video on that.
Hey alex, what about Sky Scanner btw great video!
I haven’t used skyscanner for a long time. For a while it was too slow and cumbersome but admittedly that was quite a long time ago. I should try again.
Texas resident here: for a second, I thought you had personalized your luggage tag with the George Bush Intercontinental Airport code. 😉
I'll take a guess that the "I" is for Ian.
Haha you're not the first person to think that
I thought the buy a full fare, only go one way thing was something you didn't want to abuse. Don't the airlines flag you if you make a habit of it? (Guess the moral is - don't make a habit of it ...)
Ah you’re thinking of skiplagging. We should talk about that in a video!
Not sure how you don't lose your mind. I love flying but loath everything surrounding the actual flight. Airport security [it seems to be everyone's first flight ever], airline gouging, the queue at the terminal, individual's inflight behavior...ugh.
You're definitely not alone in thinking that. Flying can be tough. But it unlocks experiences that will live with you for the rest of your life.
@@attachetravel Hey, Alex. I absolutely agree. We travel as much as we are able. I meant that flying as much as you do would render myself clinically insane.
@@banana_junior_9000 He usually flies business class and has elite status with the airlines, which greatly mitigates the annoyances with travel.
Ian
Get tips
I think this annoying, boring and hard… are there any good services / consultants that can do this for me in a good unbiased way…?
It's a good question. There are definitely services that will find good fares for you but they might avoid the more grey-area tactics.
Be very careful when you book the round trip and not use the return part of the ticket. A lot of airlines are banning people from their airline when they do this. Not a good things to recommend people to do. I am really surprised that you would do this.
That’s not true. You’re referring to skiplagging which is different. We’ll talk about that in a different video.
What a legend, thanks for everything. I wish you knew how easy traveling this planet has been for me and my family because of you.
Wow, that’s awesome to hear, thanks Juan.
When you finally (arrogantly) think you have the whole airplane ticket game under your belt.. you get this.
Thank you, buddy!
Yeah it's a truly complicated subject.