Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hipmunk:
hipmunk.com
Kayak:
kayak.com
ITA Matrix:
matrix.itasoftware.com
Vayama:
vayama.com
Although it's not 100 percent proven that booking sites and airlines track your cookies and change prices,
there's enough circumstantial evidence for me to say that if you're going to be checking prices over multiple
days, clear your cookies each time. It's better to be safe than sorry.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS
If you are a student, there are many, many discounts available to you. Check out STA Travel (statravel.com)
and their search engine. You can find flexible student tickets on their website and at agency stores. I used
them for a $400 ticket from Athens to Bangkok. That wasn't even the cheapest flight, either, just the
cheapest direct flight. There are many student codes out there, and many of the tourist agencies in backpack-
er areas can help find you a cheap ticket.
USE FREQUENT FLIER MILES
Airline rewards programs are a great way to get free flights, free upgrades, and free companion tickets. No
matter how often you fly, you should be signed up for the airline's reward program. I stick to US-based air-
lines because they are involved in all the major alliances and you can earn miles on their partner flights. For
example, if I fly Singapore Airlines, I can earn United Airlines miles because they are partners. I get Delta
miles on Air France flights and vice versa. Or American Airlines and Cathay Pacific. You should always be
earning miles when you fly. If you aren't from the States, simply use the airline you fly most and bank miles
to them.
Moreover, there are a lot of other ways to earn miles if you aren't jet-setting around the world all the
time:
Shop the Airline Portals:
All airlines have special point offers for large retailers. Shopping
at those stores will earn you two to four miles per dollar spent (sometimes more). All you
have to do is shop online via the links on an airline's website, and you'll get the extra points
added to your account. It's a lot better than earning one point per dollar spent by going to
the store directly. The products don't cost any extra. I do all my shopping through these
portals simply for the extra miles.
Watch for Special Offers:
I sign up for newsletters because they often feature offers not
found on an airline's website. This could be triple miles on a selected route, taking a survey,
participating in a Facebook contest, or simply installing an airline shopping toolbar in your
web browser. These bonuses aren't high but they take minimal effort and add up over time.
Be a Crazy Flyer:
On forums like FlyerTalk, where people hunt out the latest chances for
miles, you often find people doing mileage runs. This means that an airline will offer triple
