15 ways to fly cheap or even free

There are so many ways that you can make your vacation cost effective. With internet sites the possibilities are endless. But don't be fooled, you can still make it expensive with improper planning and last minute details. To pay less you have a lot of work do.  Planning a vacation this way is a lot of fun compared to the traditional ways. My experience has taught me that a nice vacation doesn't have to be expensive. Talk about your trip with everybody and gather as much information as possible. Here are some tips that may help you make those smart decisions.  I normally decide and plan a long time in advance.  This gives you an upper hand. When booking way in advance watch for price hikes close to travel time and the airline may have changed your flight time. The hotels can do the same as they may have over booked. So you have to pay attention to emails and notifications.

A lot has changed with COVID-19 . One of my Lima, Peru fight showed only part of my destination at the last minute as Peru has cancelled all  international flights. I had a transit in Miami and  American Airlines was going to take me to Miami and back. They never mentioned any where about the cancellation on the Miami-Lima flight. This happens more than you would imagine. 

15 ways I travel cheap or free

1. Get a credit card with rewards or miles. Use that credit card for everything you buy big or small to accumulate rewards.  
2. Create an account where ever possible. With Airlines, Travel agents and where ever you can get rewards on top of your credit card rewards. 
3. At the time of purchase find out if they have any offers or discounts for members. 
4. Select your destination and check the price with the airlines and also check with travel agents.  I always have good luck with Cheapoair. Check with various sites. 
5. Certain countries are cheaper to fly at a certain time of the year. Plan to go to those places during that time. 
6. Airlines have a Low Fare Calendar. Check the calendar and places that are cheaper to fly at the time you want to fly. 
7. Book your hotel and the flight together. Before you confirm check hotels on booking.com and hotels.com. Pick the cheaper alternative. 
8. Your rewards credit card may also have vacations on their sites. It’s work on your part but you never know how little these prices could be. The fun of vacation begins with planning.
9. Don’t fall for things like fly to Vegas for $29. Once you are there the hotel will add a resort tax on top of the hotel room price that could be jeopardize the intent. 
10. Airlines will take you to their home country and allow you to take a break if you happen to be in transit. You would stop over and reschedule your second flight for another day without any extra payment. This way you could have two vacations in one provided you have time to spare. 
11. When you are searching for flights you are going to get rates and it is going to suggest lower fares for alternate days. If you have that flexibility with time, those flights could me even lower.
12. Sometimes the one way price could be way cheaper. Then go for that option. But make sure that you get your return flight at the same time but separate.
13. Try looking for flights everyday as the prices fluctuate from one day to the next.
14. If you have accumulated enough rewards that may get you a free ticket or you pay partial payment with points. 
15. With cheap flight tickets you may end up paying for luggage. Make sure that is included and get that in print while booking.

Example of a Low Fare Calendar

With a cheap flight tickets you may have a longer transit period between flights and arrive a day later. But with careful planning you can get the best of both worlds. If you do your home work right you may pay less and travel more. Many times I have had free hotel stays or upgrades. Sometimes I also get free flights. 

COVID-19 CDC travel advisory.