| Best Travel Hacks & Booking Tips Revealed
Finding Cheap First Class Flights to Europe
Flying first class to Europe doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While first class tickets can be incredibly expensive, there are smart strategies to book luxury flights at a fraction of the price. Whether you want to fly in style on Emirates, Lufthansa, or British Airways, this guide will show you how to find cheap first class flights to Europe.
Be Flexible with Travel Dates
One of the biggest factors in flight pricing is demand. Flying on less popular days often results in much lower prices. To save money, avoid peak travel times like weekends, holidays, and school vacation periods. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are frequently the cheapest days to fly. Utilize tools like Google Flights’ price calendar to identify the cheapest days in a month. As a pro tip, flying a day earlier or later can sometimes save you hundreds of dollars.
Use The Best Flight Search Engines
Not all flight search engines show the same prices. Some don’t include budget airlines, while others might add hidden fees. Here are some of the best tools to consider:
- Google Flights: Excellent for comparing prices across multiple airlines.
- Skyscanner: Great for finding the cheapest months to fly.
- Momondo: Reveals hidden deals that some sites don’t display.
- Hopper: Uses AI to predict price fluctuations.
- Kiwi.com: Helps find alternative routes with cheaper tickets.
Always compare prices across multiple search engines before making a booking.
Book at the Right Time
Timing is essential when booking cheap flights. For domestic flights, the best time to book is usually 1 to 3 months in advance, while for international flights, aim for 2 to 6 months in advance. Avoid last-minute bookings, as airlines tend to raise prices as departure dates approach. Prices often drop midweek between Tuesdays and Wednesdays, making these ideal days for booking your flights.
Take Advantage of Budget Airlines
Low-cost airlines offer significant savings, but it’s crucial to be aware of extra fees. Popular budget airlines for U.S. to Europe routes include:
- Ryanair
- EasyJet
- Wizz Air
Watch out for additional charges like baggage fees, seat selection, and carry-on allowances.
Set Flight Alerts
Flight prices fluctuate daily, making it essential to track them. Set price alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak. When prices drop, book immediately to avoid losing a good deal. Using Hopper can also help predict when fares might be at their lowest.
Consider Nearby Airports
Flying into a nearby airport can sometimes be much cheaper than your primary destination. For example, check flights into Newark (EWR) instead of New York City’s JFK, or compare Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton when traveling to London. Use Google Flights’ nearby airports feature to find alternative options that may save you money.
Use Airline Travel Miles and Points
If you travel often, consider signing up for a frequent flyer program or a travel rewards credit card. You can earn airline miles through credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture, or American Express Platinum. These miles can be redeemed for free flights or upgrades. Even if you don’t fly often, many credit cards offer substantial signup bonuses worth multiple free flights.
Avoid Extra Airline Fees
Hidden fees can significantly increase your ticket price. Always check the baggage policies, including carry-on and checked luggage fees, as well as seat selection costs. Additionally, be aware of the change and cancellation fees. Some credit cards offer benefits like free checked bags when booking with their airline partners.
Consider One-Way Tickets
Sometimes, booking two separate one-way flights is cheaper than a round trip. Search for one-way flights on different airlines and consider open-jaw tickets (flying into one city and out of another) to mix and match airlines for better deals.
Use a VPN for Potential Savings
Airlines may charge different prices based on your location. Using a VPN to change your location can help you compare prices from different countries. In some cases, booking flights in a local currency can be cheaper than USD. For international flights, try setting your location to countries like India or Mexico to potentially receive better rates.
Check for Mistake Fares and Flash Sales
Airlines sometimes make pricing mistakes, offering incredibly cheap deals. Websites like Secret Flying, Scott’s Cheap Flights, and Airfare Watchdog track mistake fares. Additionally, keep an eye out for flash sales that can lower ticket prices by 50% or more. If you find a mistake fare, book it immediately, as airlines may correct prices within hours.
Conclusion
Now that you have a toolkit of strategies for booking cheap flights to Europe, remember to be flexible with your travel dates, utilize the right flight search engines, set price alerts, avoid hidden fees, and consider alternative airports. By following these steps, you can save hundreds of dollars on flights and travel more often for less. If you found this guide helpful, feel free to like and subscribe for more travel tips!
