NAVIGATE: Utilize Your Resources: Flight Edition

Finding the Best Deals

Google Flights

So you are ranting to your closest friend about your boss’ incompetence, coupled with your significant other and/or kids in competition to be the most annoying. Your friend undoubtedly can relate, so the two of you decide to take a quick weekend trip to let loose. But where are you going? Google Flights is the perfect resource for these and similar situations. It allows you to see the prices of any destination with just an input of specific dates or date range and a “from” location. The search generates results from all major airlines, except Southwest. This is my go-to when I need a getaway without breaking the bank and no hard preference on where I end up.

Secret Flying

I booked my flight from Boston to Barcelona for $260. How, might you ask…from an Instagram post from @secretflying. Also in website and mobile app form, Secret Flying does the work for you in regards to finding cheap airfare, both domestically and internationally. The caveat, however: there is no selection of the departure city or destination. Deals are usually good for about 24 hours and dates are relatively fixed for the price displayed. While there are limitations, the deals are unmatched.

Hopper

Wouldn’t it be great to have a personal flight guru that tracks prices for you and advises the best time to book a reservation…? Well, now you do with Hopper. I utilize this app when I have a set date and destination well into the future. Let’s be realistic, none of us has the time nor desire to daily check on a flight price in hopes of finding the best deal. So that family vacation you want to take at the end of the year…just input the dates and destination into Hopper for predictions on the best time to book and when prices will potentially increase. I find this app most effective when my travel dates are months into the future.

Skip-lagged

Pop quiz. Direct flights from Detroit to Charlotte NC are $327, however flights to Atlanta with a layover in Charlotte are $129. What do you do? Book the one-way Atlanta flight and stay in Charlotte. This only works if you book your flights as 2 separate one-ways instead of round trip. Your luggage should only be a carry-on. Checked bags will end up at the final destination while you stay in the layover city. Now, I don’t make this a habit unless there is a significant price difference for both outgoing and returning flights. Nonetheless, Skip-lagged finds the flights with a layover in your destination, no additional steps necessary.

Two Apps That You Need

FLIO

This, by far, is one of the best flight apps available: non-debatable. Access to the flight schedules of virtually any airport, airport guides including terminal breakdowns and TSA wait time predictions are just a few of the features this app offers. So for that airport that is a headache to navigate, especially when you are in a full sprint to make your connection, use this app to help relieve some of the stress.

Mobile Passport

This is the app I did not know that I needed. My recent flight returning from Panama to Detroit had a scheduled 2-hour layover in Fort Lauderdale. Two hours to get through customs and to the gate for my connecting flight seems reasonable, right? Well, not when your outgoing flight is delayed by 30 minutes. Now, if you have ever gone through customs you know that there is no way to gage the time needed to get through. I am not yet a Global Entry member so Mobile Passport is the next best thing. I submitted the declaration electronically between wheels down and deplaning, entered into the customs’ express line and made it to my gate in less than 30 minutes. Currently, there are roughly 28 airports that utilize mobile passport within the USA. This app saved me.

In Case You Didn’t Know:

Utilize the Airline’s Mobile Apps.

- This is great for mobile boarding passes, check-ins and real time flight updates.

Register for Airline Rewards Programs:

- The major airlines offer a free program of sorts where you can accumulate mileage without having to apply for a credit card. You can also achieve certain status levels (i.e. Gold, Platinum, etc.) for additional perks. Mileage equals free flights and discounts. Who doesn’t like freebies?

Sign Up for TSA Pre-Check.

- This was easily the best decision I’ve made. The 5-year benefit completely outweighs the small fee. I have yet to wait longer than 10 minutes in a TSA line within the USA. And not having to remove anything from my carry-on is a gift…and I travel at least once a month.

24-hour Cancellation without Penalty Policy.

- While this policy is restricted to bookings made one week or more prior to a flight’s departure, flights to and from the US can be cancelled without penalty for up to 24 hours after the reservation was made. So if you see an unbeatable deal, book it. You have 24 hours to change your mind.

Happy Travels!