The starting point of any trip to Asia is usually the flight tickets. But this can also be the biggest obstacle for people. Ticket prices to Asia can be costly, but it doesn’t have to be this way if you know where to look.
There are a lot of theories and tips out there for finding the cheapest flights, so we are going to unpack these ideas and discover what is true and what isn’t.
After years of traveling and booking plane tickets, I have a lot of experience in this department. So I am going to share my 7 best travel tips and experiences with you to help you find cheap flights to Asia!
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Flexible Dates
The easiest way to find cheap flights is to have flexible travel dates. Of course, this isn’t always going to work because you might be restricted due to work or other circumstances. But if you are not constrained to a specific time frame, then start your search with flexible travel dates and compare prices over a few days, weeks, or months.
Most travel sites have an option of “flexible dates” so you can easily see the data for other days. Prices can fluctuate and for some reason, a Tuesday might be twice as expensive as a Wednesday. This is a simple tip that can save you a lot of money.
The Cookie Myth
One of the biggest myths surrounding airline tickets is the effect of cookies (search history) on the price of tickets. Some consumers have said that they have seen an increase in airline prices if you keep searching for the same flight.
However, travel experts have said that this may be due to the fact that airline prices are based on supply and demand, so you may see an increase because of inventory updates.
If you are worried about increases in airline prices, one trick you can try is searching on two different browsers and using the incognito mode when searching for tickets. You can see for yourself whether or not this rumor is true.
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Best Time to Book
Of course, knowing the best time to book is not an exact science or else everyone would be doing it at the same time! You can assume, however, that the summer months will always be the most expensive time to fly because that is the busiest tourist season for Asia.
The month of July typically sees the biggest increase in prices. The cheapest month for flights to Asia is January, but of course, it comes with the downside of not-so-great weather.
Throughout the year, the flights are almost always the most expensive on the weekends, so if you can avoid the weekends, then you can easily save. Booking in advance usually helps, too. Most experts agree that 2-3 months is the best time frame for plane tickets.
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Compare, Compare, Compare
It pays off to conduct thorough research and be patient for the right deal to come along. Check different departure and arrival airports and look for cheaper connecting flights.
Maybe you could spend a day or two in a different destination than what you originally intended. But there might be a cheaper connecting flight from there to your intended destination. Be flexible and check out all the options.
Also, once you have booked the flight tickets, you also need to arrange the trip to the airport. Parking around the airport can be really expensive, but check out the off-site parking lots for discounts and deals.
Just like you can compare prices for airline tickets, you can also compare prices for airport parking online using ParkFellows. You can also reserve your parking spot in advance so that you have a guaranteed space for when you arrive, that way you don’t have to go around searching for a parking spot and wasting time before your flight.
Subscribe to Airline Newsletters
Although it can be a pain to receive so many promotional newsletters, it is actually a great way to find out when airlines are running promotions.
The newsletters are a great way to find cheaper fares and you don’t have to check the ticket websites every day. If the airline is sending too many emails, then you can always unsubscribe once you find a great deal.
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Fly with Budget Airlines
The trick with flying budget airlines is to always check their terms and conditions. They will usually add on extra costs and fees for everything, so it’s good to know in advance what these are so you don’t end up paying more than desired.
You might need to bring a smaller suitcase and pack your own food for the trip, but the budget airlines can get you to where you want to go for very cheap. Also, if you don’t mind paying a little more, then you can pay to upgrade on a budget airline.
This way, you can get extra legroom for still a fraction of the cost of what the main airlines are charging. Skyscanner includes a price comparison of the best budget airlines, so it’s a good way to find cheap tickets.
Sign up for Loyalty Programs
If you fly a lot, or you plan to fly a lot, then it will be very useful to register for a loyalty program of the airlines you want to fly with.
Every time you fly, you can earn points that will help you save on your next trip. You can also get free upgrades to the Business Class! If you are already planning to fly with the airline, then you might as well get rewarded for it.
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