Category: Airfare Deals

Book a ticket, and Fly! That sounds fun and easy, but most of the time frustrating and very costly! A big portion of our travel budget would often go to travel tickets or transportations cost around the places you visit. It is only imperative that this area should be looked at extremely well. If we get to cut airfare tickets cost, that means more budget for food and experiences! We’ll continue to keep you on your A-GAME when booking those best airfare deals. These guides should come handy and helpful before you book that next trip!

  • How to Find Extremely Cheap Last Minute Flights

    How to Find Extremely Cheap Last Minute Flights

    Being on a budget and being in a desperate need of a vacation is a tricky thing indeed. The next thing you know is you feel like there is no point in even trying to find a decent offer because someone has already snatched it.

    Believe it or not, a lot of people have already mastered the art of learning how to find extremely cheap last-minute flights and the sooner you hop on that train, the greater your chances of booking your ultra-cheap flight are. Here is what you need to do.

    How to find cheapest last-minute flights

    How to Get Extremely Cheap Last Minute Flight Deals

    Be the Early Bird

    By the time you read the introduction, there must have been dozens of people who managed to find last-minute flights. This only translates into an extremely competitive situation which requires that you constantly stay vigilant. The only logical thing to do is to stay informed by keeping a close eye on the budget airlines through signing up for their newsletters. In order not to overwhelm your inbox with thousands of newsletters half of which you won’t even read, invest some time in compiling the list of the best websites specializing in last-minute travel. Websites such as Hopper, Expedia, or Orbitz are the ones to turn to as the first line of defense. On top of that, it’s always a good idea to pay attention to their Twitter or Instagram accounts because this is where the magic happens, too. Airline companies tend to test the anticipated performance of their best deals and they usually give them a gentle push by making them available to followers only.

    Prepare for Red-eye Flights

    There are certain times of day when you will stand greater chances to have fewer people competing over one-off deals so this is when it might be the perfect time to book. Often called “red-eye flights”, these gems provide you with an opportunity to book flights that stand greater chances of having unfilled seats because they are carried out during the night hours. If a little drowsiness means getting your hands on the cheapest flight out there, then it’s certainly worth the trouble. What you need to know is that these flights are rather common although they are mostly available for long-haul routes. Apart from being less popular and hence easier to book in the nick of time, red flights also allow you to travel during the night and arrive at your destination during the day. This means you will have an entire day at your disposal.

    Red eye flights

    Avoid Popular Flights

    Some days of the week are busier than the others. The term “dead week” is well-known in the travel world and it refers to the days between January 2 and January 15 when the holidays are over and people get back to work. In the same way, there are months that are less likely to be heavily crowded with passengers flying one way or the other. According to Skyscanner, a travel search engine, the findings derived from their extensive research on travel patterns indicate that May is the month that sees the least air traffic or traffic in general, for that matter. In the same way, the date you make a booking is insignificant as long as you do your travel in May. On top of that, May is a glorious month weather-wise. Europe and North America have mild temperatures this time of year and there is very little rain in Asia, too.

    Read more: How Do Airlines Allocate Seats to Passengers?

    Use Price Alerts

    Another good method that will make offers come to you instead of actively browsing for them is to use price alerts. What these alerts do is that they help you track specific routes and notify you the moment they pop up on the radar. Flight prices fluctuate heavily on a daily basis, sometimes even within a single hour. Not only can these alerts you keep track of one specific flight but they can also do so for multiple flights simultaneously. This is extremely useful for budget travelers who haven’t made up their minds exactly where to go just yet. There are dozens of awesome apps for receiving price drop or flight sales alerts so make sure to do your homework and install a few of them on your phone. Some websites even have forecast tools that predict the likelihood of ticket price drops for a 7-day period. Skyscanner is a notable example so make sure you pay them a visit.

    Useful mobile apps to book last-minute flights

    Consider a Stopover

    If you’re a budget traveler in search for flights, then you have to be willing to make a sacrifice and not be too choosy. Long-haul flights tend to be pricey, especially if you’re looking to book on short notice. Picking the routes that are not direct not only provides you with enough alternatives to choose from but is also likely to save you some money. In addition to this, flights that include stopovers also let you visit some destinations along the way. So, if you have a couple of hours to spare, or even better – a few days, then try and book a last-minute flight with stopovers and go out and about during the break between the flights.

    Think about Package Deals

    Going after package deals is also an option provided that you are not visiting your family or else staying in pre-arranged accommodation. Specifically, be on the lookout for those package deals that don’t require advanced purchase. A lot of airlines offer a combination of airfare and hotel which helps you save big. You might think that travel deals are way too costly but as a matter of fact, you may be surprised to discover that the price of air packages is sometimes actually lower than paying for the flight alone. For this reason, you may buy a package, not use the hotel at all, and still get a great bargain.

    Look into Alternative Airports

    Checking airfares from a number of nearby airports can do wonders for those of us who travel on a budget. Airlines often compete over who gets to sell the most tickets and are willing and able to lower the prices in order to reap the benefits. A lot of cities have alternate airports and the chances are you will find an affordable last-minute flight if you check out every single one of them. Although they might be a bit further away from the city, it often adds up on your tight budget to pay extra cash for a cab or fish out discounts for group rides to nearby terminals. Companies like Jayride and Uber let you canvas the available transportation to and from individual terminals, covering over thousands of airports worldwide. Depending on your desired destination, you can check out international sites easily found on the world airport list.

    Alternative airports are less crowded

    Gift Cards

    Flight vouchers have gained a lot in popularity when it comes to the cheapest flights. The most sought-after are those that are given away during big holiday promotions, such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. There are gift card options out there that cater to budget-limited travelers in search for cheap last-minute flights. These vouchers are free of fees and have no daunting booking procedures either. It is these gains that have been driving people toward using the gift cards for their own travels. You still have to be careful about one thing, though. It is necessary that you make preparations in advance because these vouchers are usually time and destination-limited.

    Charter Flights

    Cash-limited vacationers opting for charter flights can make a good deal on their last-minute shuttle. So, what exactly are charter flights? To put it simply, travel operators usually order an entire plane’s capacity to transfer their holidaymakers to and from desired locations. There is also a possibility of their customers canceling the trip at the last moment which is perfect timing to hop in. By the same token, there are often a few spare seats left on an aircraft that are available to flight-only passengers and they come at a very low price. In order to make use of this unique opportunity, you need to do research on finding the cheapest charter flights. Many airline companies have recently developed software which run inference for travelers who need to find vacant seats on charter flights as well as to help passengers with similar intended routes partner up.

    Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Smart Airline Seat Selection

    Air Miles

    An experienced traveler must have come across this term at least a hundred times. Also known as “frequent flyer miles”, these miles refer to the points you make as a part of a loyalty program offered by airlines. Generally speaking, the more you travel, the more points you get. Once you collect the allocated number of points, you get the chance to fly for free on the occasion of your choice. Of course, you can pick one airline and opt for their loyalty program or you could sign up for air alliances and garner the points you can later use on any of their partner airlines.

    Flying Solo

    By now, you must have guessed that it’s much easier to find one last-minute ticket then chasing group airfares. When you come to think about it, it’s quite difficult to coordinate everyone’s schedules and find an ideal flight opportunity that everyone would see fit. After all, you stand a better chance of finding one spare seat on a flight then searching for two or more.

    Flying on your own

    Emergency Flights

    Although this is not an option someone would voluntarily resort to, there are situations which simply call for immediate flights we have to make on short notice. In these situations, we seldom have the time to pick the travel dates and when they catch us off guard, we might happen to be short of money, too. Probably the only positive aspect of this prospect is that airline companies recognize the trouble and are willing to make special offers for those in desperate need for a cheap last-minute flight. Some of the world’s largest global airlines offer additional flexibility in cases of emergency so it’s extremely useful to have that option at hand during those difficult times.

    Summary

    Having read all of the insider tips and tricks, it’s obvious that the rule of thumb is to be flexible because good things come to those who wait. Although it’s often easier said than done, you will have to be prepared to renounce the comfort and ease which characterize regularly planned flights.

  • Best and Most Luxurious Airlines in the World

    Best and Most Luxurious Airlines in the World

    Though most people are finding it tough financially, which means having to curtail extravagant living, there are plenty who have no problems getting their mitts on the money.

    They’ll most certainly want to indulge in some classy getaways and fly with as little hassle as possible. Besides that, everyone’s schedule has a well-earned break on it. But who to fly with? Here we present you with some of the most luxurious and best airlines in the world and what they have to offer a discerning well-heeled traveler.

    1. Virgin Atlantic

    Airplane Belonging to Virgin Atlantic Taking Off

    Always wanting to be seen as the hip and happening airline, Virgin Atlantic’s Upper-Class Suite offers a colorful cabin where passengers can meet each other in a relaxed atmosphere. With free massages on offer, no set meal times and an attractive bar area, Virgin is a popular choice with those who like all the trimmings but not necessarily all the stuffiness of a luxury airline.

    Other perks on offer: Complimentary chauffeur driven car service to and from the airport, drive-thru check-in at Heathrow, Gatwick and Johannesburg, and fully reclinable flat-bed seats.

    2. Emirates

    AN Emirates Airplane as seen During Sunset

    Emirates have been a consistent contender in the luxury market over the last few years, with attentive service and excellent reputation. Private cabins in first-class come with seats that convert into a 2m long flatbed. During your flight, a 3-inch LCD flat screen, and a persona` mini bar will enable you to fly like a king or a queen. Business class seats are very roomy, with deep reclining sleeper seats, and frequent flyers are able to customize their entertainment systems with their personal choices for use on future flights.

    Read more: What Happened to Detroit?

    Other perks on offer: Each seat has access to laptop charging and phones with SMS and email capacities. First class passengers enjoy a seven-course meal prepared by top chefs and accompanied with a wide selection of fine wines.

    3. Thai Airways

    If you’re planning on flying to or through Bangkok any time soon be sure to leave a few hours in your travels to visit Thai Airways’ first class lounge at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi Airport, which this year was awarded the World’s Best First Class Lounge by Skytrax. Offering a luxury spa, massage rooms, a fine dining area, deluxe seating areas, and state-of-the-art visual entertainment rooms, a visit to the lounge is worth booking a luxury seat alone. On board, Thai’s first class and business class sections offer wide seats that convert to flat beds, an excellent in-flight entertainment system and an exquisite menu selection that is fast making Thai Airways known as ‘Restaurant in the Sky’.

    Other perks on offer: First class passengers are able to pre-book their six-course meal prior to the flight. You’ll also be able to get your hands on some Don Perignon.

    4. British Airways

    One of the granddaddies of luxury flying, British Airways has been around since just after World War I in one guise or another but their luxury offerings are far from an old hat. Their cabins hold an understated luxury that’s synonymous with the British way of life and varies from plane to plane. Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 aircraft have seats that extend to an impressive foot and six inches in length. Passengers can enjoy dining at a time that suits them, and if you’re flying from London you can order a ‘Catch of the Day’ freshly caught that morning in Loch Fyne, Scotland.

    Read more: Does Antarctica Have Countries?

    Other perks on offer: Dine on the ground in one of BA’s elegant land lounges prior to boarding a night flight to maximize your sleep time in the air.

    5. Singapore Airlines

    Singapore Airlines Plane Just Taking Off

    There was much fanfare a few years ago when Singapore Airlines revealed their new first class suites on the A380. Replete with recliner seat and separate bed area, the cabins are, without doubt, the ultimate luxury in air travel. Suffice it to say that their first class and business class seating areas are as comfy and enjoyable as they get.

    Other perks on offer: Medium-haul business class seats offer all-in-one business panels. All seats have a widescreen TV with extensive in-flight entertainment system. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to get some snacks for the movie!

    Read more: Is Air Asia Safe?

    6. Qantas

    Nicknamed ‘The Flying Kangaroo’, Australia’s main airline is also the world’s second oldest, founded in 1920. Their services have only been improving since then, adding business and then premium economy seats. Boeing 747–400, and Airbus A380 have nice flat beds in first class, which are extremely popular so if you’re going to book then you’d better be quick. Each pod has a 17-inch widescreen HD TV with a whopping 1,000 programs to choose from, so there’s no chance of being bored during the flight, either. And in business class on demand controls allow you to watch what you want when you want. First class passengers are also treated to a unique dining experience, where all meals are freshly prepared on board and canapés are served before an appetizing eight-course tasting menu. How indulgent!

    Other perks on offer: As Qantas is part of the oneworld ® alliance, passengers are invited into any other participating oneworld airline lounge worldwide where a Qantas lounge is not available.

    7. Cathay Pacific

    Plane of Cathay Pacific Flying Over the Ocean

    Operating out of Hong Kong Airport, one of the busiest hubs in South East Asia, Cathy has been servicing the luxury flier for many years. It’s not only their attentiveness to passengers that makes people fly with them time and time again, but the level of comfort offered on board, on both their first and business class cabins. With just six to nine seats in first class, you’re sure to be pampered throughout the trip. Each seat has a massage function, personal closet and ottoman. The business class seats are laid out in a herringbone configuration, which offers the ultimate in privacy, but a lonely flight if you’re traveling with a friend or partner.

    Read more: Air Travel Tips for Seniors

    Other perks on offer: Get your very own sleepsuit or pajamas in first class, and Agnes b, Murad and Dermalogica products in the business for the ultimate in in-flight pampering.

  • Getting the Most From AirAsia in 9 Steps

    Getting the Most From AirAsia in 9 Steps

    air asia logo white backgroundThe world’s top rated budget airline, year after year now, is AirAsia. This Malaysia-based budget carrier has brought dirt-cheap fares to nearly every corner of Southeast Asia. Simply put flying from one country to another in this region is cheaper than anywhere else on earth. (Except the best fares from Europe’s Ryanair, which occasionally beat AirAsia when it comes to cost per mile flown).

    Here are nine ways to get the cheapest airfares in Southeast Asia:

    1. Watch for a Good Sale

    AirAsia has web-based promotions very regularly and frequently. The best fares are found by watching the sales over the course of several weeks (or even months) and buy your tickets when you see a great bargain.

    2. Book Well Ahead of Time

    AirAsia’s most ridiculous cheap-airfares require you to book 8+ months in advance. If you know that you’ll need to get from Bangkok to Phuket sometime next winter, then watch for those AirAsia sales right now!

    3. Regular Fares Can Be Good Too!

    Even if you don’t score a great sale price, some regular fares are still very good. Particularly popular routes with lots of competition. (Think Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok or Singapore to Kuala Lumpur – each ticket can be had for $30 at times, even without a sale or advance purchase.)

    Read more: How to Easily Save 20% on Flights

    four air asia stewardesses in red uniform4. Travel Light & Don’t Check Luggage In

    Just think 90-degree (30+ Celsius) temps. You won’t need heavy clothes and certainly won’t want to drag around a lot of dead weight through that heat. Plus you’ll save on AirAsia’s considerable checked baggage fees. Note that the airline has good customer service and is pretty lenient about the size/weight of your carry-on bag. If you’re concerned about bringing an oversize bag onboard, try to hide it from the AirAsia check-in and gate agents.

    Read more: Best carry on luggage with wheels

    5. Know Your Abbreviations!

    Malaysians love abbreviating everything whenever possible, but make sure you get this one right: LCCT is not exactly the same thing as KLIA. LCCT is AirAsia’s airport terminal at their Kuala Lumpur hub called the “Low Cost Carrier Terminal”. The terminal is a part of Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport (KUL or KLIA to locals) but be warned: if you need to transfer from the budget airline terminal to the regular terminal, you should allow 40 minutes to make this trip between the two terminals. Making the transfer requires either a 20-minute bus ride or a taxi ride. (Buses leave every 20 minutes and cost RM 1.50 or about US $0.50.) And while the main terminal at KL’s international airport is world-renown, the LCCT is nothing special to say the least.

    6. Avoid Flying During Holidays

    Watch out for local holidays that will make prices skyrocket. AirAsia is known for their cheap fares, but if you want to fly during Chinese New Year, for example, you won’t find any cheap fares at all. In fact, the price of a one-way ticket for the one-hour flight from Singapore to Penang during this holiday could easily be hundreds of dollars (compared with $10-$20 fares during non-peak times).

    7. Bring Food & Water on the Flight

    Bring your own food and water onboard to avoid eating airplane food and paying ridiculously inflated prices. While the prices for water onboard AirAsia are not as outrageous as Spirit Airlines, I still prefer to buy my own in the departure terminal before my flight.

    8. Dodge the Upsells

    AirAsia makes lots of their money selling services and amenities to their passengers. If you politely refuse every one of AirAsia’s attempted upsells you’ll still be able to have a comfortable flight.

    9. Check Out Another Service

    If you don’t have luck finding a cheap Southeast Asia flight, consider using an expert airfare search service, such as Airfare.ninja, that guarantees they’ll find you a better fare or your money back.

    Have you heard of any other tricks for finding the cheapest flights in South East Asia?

  • The Cheapest Flights to Laos

    The Cheapest Flights to Laos

    A ‘visa run’ is common terminology among the backpacker crowd in Thailand. Us backpackers aren’t known for planning ahead, so like millions of others each year arriving at the Bangkok airport, I got a stamp in my passport that allowed me to stay in Thailand for 30 days. The problem is: 30 days just isn’t enough for a country as special as Thailand.

    So what are the options for extending a Thai tourist visa? Well, if you’re like me and made the decision to stay in Thailand after arriving “in country”, you have three options:

    Option 1: Slog on over to the local Thai immigration office (only possible if you’re in a large enough city), wait in line, fill out paperwork, return a few hours later, wait in line again, pay a handsome sum of cash to the rude immigration staff (in the neighborhood of $50) and hope they’ll allow you to extend your visit to ‘The Kingdom’. (Not how I like to spend my time in Thailand.)

    Option 2: Ignore the rules and hope that you won’t get arrested for staying in Thailand longer than you’re allowed to. (Not a good option at all – chances are you’ll need to pay a hefty fine as you leave the country, although staying just 1 or 2 days longer than allowed isn’t generally considered a big deal.)

    Option 3: Go on a visa run (the most fun option). It used to be the case that you could do an easy visa run by taking a cheapo bus across the border to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia and get 30 more days to spend in Thailand (legally) upon re-entry. It might involve a long and uncomfortable bus ride, but you could make a fun little side trip out of it, and meet some fellow backpackers along the way. But Thailand has changed their immigration rules again recently, and if you enter ‘The Kingdom’ by bus, train or boat you’re only allowed to stay for 15 days. Those of us wanting 30 more days now must leave the country and return by air – landing at an International airport in Thailand means an automatic 30-day stamp. Something I really needed this time.

    So while I could technically take a bus to a neighboring country and then fly back to Thailand to get 30 more days, the thought of spending 12 hours on a bus from Bangkok was unappealing to say the least. I recruited my French friend, Eric, who recently moved to Thailand to join me on the visa run and keep things interesting. The only question remaining was which country to visit.

    Read more: Best Budget-Friendly Places to Go to in July

    Cheapest Flight to Laos

    Word of mouth has it that fine French food and wine can be found in Laos, which made this a top choice for Eric. But scouring the Internet for airfares left me less than convinced. The cheapest tickets available on Orbitz.com were over $300 round trip – quite a bit more than I wanted to spend on a simple visa extension. Thank god for AirFareNinja.com – The unconventional cheap flight discovery service unearthed tickets for less than half of the Orbitz.com price on the obscure airline Lao Central. We booked the tickets via LaoCentral.com and five days later we were on our way to Survanabhumi airport (BKK) for a 10:00am flight to Vientiane. Lao Central is not well advertised or well known – despite the cheap fares, the flight to Vientiane was about 75% empty, which left plenty of elbowroom. And also in spite of the cheap fares, this is not a ‘budget’ airline – the service was really good! They allow you one free checked bag with your ticket, plus the lovely flight attendants managed to serve a full meal and drinks during the short 1-hour flight. The cheapest AirAsia or Ryanair flights during off-peak seasons might be cheaper per mile-flown, but when you consider the great service, free checked bag and the fact that fares are 60% lower than the competition, Lao Central is THE way to get from Bangkok to Vientiane.

    Visa on arrival at Vientiane Airport

    Vientiane is the capital of Laos, but arriving at the tiny, informal airport gives the feeling of a remote frontier town. Eric and I strolled around on the tarmac for a few minutes before heading inside to get our Lao visas. This requires filling out a couple short application forms and waiting in line for about 45 minutes. The process is simple, but leaves something to be desired from an efficiency standpoint. The Lao visa fee ranges from about $30 to $40 US Dollars depending on your citizenship. Only cash is accepted, but they are happy to accept US Dollars and Thai Bhat. (Note that paying in US Dollars gives you a significantly better exchange rate versus paying with Bhat.) If you don’t have exact change in US Dollars, not to worry: you’ll get correct change back in US Dollars. Getting a taxi into town should be arranged and paid for within the arrivals terminal of the Vientiane airport. It is a flat fee of about $7 USD to go anywhere within central ‘downtown’ Vientiane. 15 minutes later Eric and I arrived at the Vientiane Plaza Hotel - a strange, but somehow classy and at the same time very communist institution. We booked ahead because the shortage of good hotels in Vientiane means things fill up fast. [caption id="attachment_8758" align="aligncenter" width="640"]people enjoying the vientiane sunset Sunset in Vientiane -
    copyright @Nhím ướt[/caption]

    What to do in Vientiane?

    Vientiane is a tiny city by Asian standards (200,000 residents) and without loads of tourists. This makes it easy to get a feel for the local culture and infiltrate the Lao hangout spots. The French influence, however, is hard to miss. Street signs are posted in Lao and French (no English). And very decent French restaurants are dotted along nearly every side street. Eric and I headed directly to a local creperie for crepes and Normandy-style cider. The quiet, breezy town reminded us of Southern France, but with a happier and even more laid-back vibe. We stayed 4 days in Laos, but the comatose pace of life there made if feel like much longer (a good thing). It was easy to take it all in on our short trip. Some notable highlights include: 1. The rooftop restaurant/bar of the Sengtawan Riverside Hotel for sunset drinks (book ahead to sit outside, and dress to impress). 2. Lao restaurants where the locals go to eat great food, and get drunk before 6pm daily. The restaurants across the street from Settha Palace Hotel are particularly tasty. locals enjoying happy hour in a lao restaurant 3. Sala Sunset Khounta restaurant made from scrap wood where live bands play and locals enjoy the Lao version of pub food (mainly seafood). The place looks like an abandoned ship with a great outdoor terrace and a nice view of the Mekong River. 4. BorPenYang: a rooftop pub with a lot of working “girls” (actually transsexual men – common in this region). Closes around midnight. Read more: Can You Take a Pen on a Plane? A few things that we would not recommend: 1. Massage in the basement of the Sengtawan Riverside Hotel (not bad, but you can find better atmosphere elsewhere) 2. Staying anywhere near the mercure hotel in the area outside of the tourist zone. Instead of looking like a colonial French village, this part of Vientiane looks like an abandoned Russian industrial town. 100% lacking in charm. Be sure to find a hotel in the nice part of town (as shown on the map below) We were surprised to find prices generally a bit higher than Thailand. But it’s also true that many of the best things in Vientiane don’t cost much. A stroll along the Mekong River for instance, provides instant relaxation and a dose of fresh air. Also, good wine is certainly cheaper in Laos than in Thailand. (Alcohol taxes in Thailand continue to soar.) Overall Vientiane proved to be a calm oasis that kept us feeling relaxed and more prepared to face the bustle of big Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok. On the way back to the Vientiane airport we vowed to return to Laos in the future. Next time we’ll be sure to get out of the capital and explore the natural side of this beautiful country.

  • 5 Cheapest Flights in Asia for Winter 2013

    5 Cheapest Flights in Asia for Winter 2013

    While airfares in Asia seem to have crept up a little from 2012, there are still some exceptionally cheap tickets to be discovered for your adventures this winter. The prices for domestic flights within Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia are some of the cheapest in the world. Some longer flights to China and Taiwan are also surprisingly well-priced this winter. (Just watch out for Chinese New Year when prices are unanimously sky-high.)

    red air asia logoAirAsia really comes out ahead of other budget airlines in our survey, but when shopping for tickets always remember to do your research: discover any alternative airports nearby that you may be able to fly into for cheaper (think Bangkok’s Don Meung airport instead of the main BKK airport), find out which airlines serve the main (and the secondary) airports, then visit each airline website to search for fares.

    As I made plans to jet around Asia this winter, here are 5 flights that could only be described as dirt-cheap.

    Read more: Is AirAsia Safe?

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (1,000 miles / $25 one-way on AirAsia)

    At 2.5 cents per mile flown, this may just be the cheapest airline ticket in Asia. Domestic flights in oil-producing countries are often a bargain, but this takes it to a new level. Plus Malaysian Borneo is a hot spot for adventure, with plenty of mountains and uncharted jungle to kindle your spirit for exploration.

    Manila, the Philippines to Shanghai, China (1,150 miles / $52 one way on AirAsia)

    building lights in shanghai chinaFlights to/from mainland China are often crowded and pricey (think $250 for the short hop from Guangzhou to Taipei – yikes!). But thanks again to AirAsia, we have a better option. While Shanghai is a destination that’s more than worthy of a spot on your next itinerary, it is a bit far from the common cheap-flight hubs such as Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.  However this winter you’re in luck, with AirAsia’s Philippine affiliate “Zest” (which is now accessible through the AirAsia website) taking you from Manila all the way to Shanghai for a mere $52.

    Makassar, Sulawesi, Indonesia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1,350 miles / $40 one-way on AirAsia)

    If you’re looking to genuinely disconnect from modern life, consider grabbing an exceptionally cheap ticket to Sulawesi Island, one of Indonesia largest, yet least developed. Scuba enthusiasts take note: this exotic island boasts a vast coastline with an impressive variety of beautiful marine life just offshore. And thanks to AirAsia, your ticket back to the region’s transit hub (Kuala Lumpur) will set you back a mere $40.

    Manila, the Philippines to Davao, the Philippines (600 miles / $15 one-way on AirAsia)

    The Philippines sees fewer tourists than the other large nations in the region, and only a fraction of visitors to the Philippines even consider visiting Davao. This southern city is located on the island of Mindanao, long considered by some to be unsafe for western tourists given the separatist groups operating here. But Davao shouldn’t be written off so quickly. Mindanao has become significantly more stable recently, and tourists are starting to discover the beautiful beaches, lush rainforest and of course Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, which is just 40km from Davao. This obscure destination might be just what the doctor ordered and if tickets stay at a mere $15, why not drop in and check it out?

    Read more: How Many Bags are Allowed on a Plane?

    Taipei, Taiwan, to Singapore (2,000 miles / $75 one-way on Tigerair)

    Flights in/out of Taiwan are notoriously expensive. Options are limited and even budget airlines have a hard time keeping prices low. Singapore-based Tigerair, however, seems to have done the impossible. The budget-carrier is offering a $75 flight out of Taiwan to Singapore Changi airport – and considering the alternatives, that is a steal. If Singapore isn’t your destination of choice (who could blame you – we don’t like $40 hamburgers either) Changi airport has a wide variety of cheap airlines to choose from to whisk you away to more budget-friendly destinations. Use Singapore as a transit point and continue on to Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Banda Aceh (about $25 one-way on AirAsia).

    If I find anymore cheap flights in Asia, I will update this post with the new info.

  • 7 Ways to Unlock the Best Deal on Spirit Airlines

    7 Ways to Unlock the Best Deal on Spirit Airlines

    Anyone can use Spirit airlines to fly to a range of destinations in Central and South America and in the USA.  But the fares advertised on their website often sound too good to be true, and unfortunately much of the time they are – full of hidden fees and extra charges. But if you know how to beat the system in your favor, you’ll be able to score a great deal with Spirit Airlines just like I have!

    The Keys to Getting a Cheap Flight Spirit Airlines

    1. Book at least 2 weeks in advance.  If you book too close to the departure date you will likely get slapped with a higher airfare.
    2. Book only online at spirit.com and not on the phone, through Orbitz.com, or any other website.  You’ll typically see extra fees when you navigate away from their website.
    3. Try applying a coupon to your flight purchase.  Sometimes they can be difficult to use given all the restrictions, but it’s definitely worth a shot.  Spirit Airlines’ coupons can be seen through their email newsletter (which is frequent and obnoxious) or on their homepage.
    4. Calculate if the “$9 Fare Club” (Spirit Airlines discount club) will save you more than the membership fee.  Perhaps it’s obvious, but if the cost of the membership will not save you more cash on airfare than the cost of membership itself, then stay away from this option. If you end up buying it and don’t cancel this subscription, they will charge you again in a year, whether you need the subscription again or not so make sure you set a reminder to cancel it!
    5. See if you can save some cash money by connecting to Fort Lauderdale via other carriers.  Even if Spirit Airlines does not fly anywhere near you, you can always buy a ticket on another airline to get from your home airport to the Fort Lauderdale, FL Spirit Airlines hub (airport code FLL).  From there you’ll get good fares to Central and South America on Spirit Airlines.
    6. Buy 2 Spirit Airlines tickets to complete a one-way journey. Spirit Airlines generally doesn’t allow for super-long (12 hour+) layovers in Fort Lauderdale on itineraries they sell.  So if you live in Minneapolis and want to travel to Managua, Nicaragua, Spirit Airlines may not even show you that such a trip is even possible.  However if you search Spirit.com for flights from Minneapolis (MSP) > FLL and then from FLL > Managua (MGA), you will find that this journey is possible.  Keep in mind that your layover in Fort Lauderdale will be about 18 hours – which presents an opportunity to explore the city if you’re interested.

    get cheap flights with spirit airlines

    Pack light with just a few pieces of luggage.  Spirit’s baggage fees can add up fast making your once cheap flight into an expensive journey (learn more about Spirit’s baggage fees).  If you absolutely must have extra baggage it’s best to purchase it before check-in or sometimes even fly on a different airlines that has more liberal baggage rules.

    We also got a hack for you to enjoy the long haul bus experience if you decided to get around South America!