Ever feel like booking flights is a military operation? No? Just me? Fair enough. But I stick to a process – not because I have to, but because I want to squeeze every last drop of value from my ticket. I’ve already covered what not to do when booking a flight, so consider this the do this instead guide.
These are my go-to websites and steps when booking with cash or miles.
In This Post
Google Flights: The Ultimate Price Scout
Step one: Google Flights. Every time. Why? Because it lays out my dates clearly and helps me find the sweet spot for price drops. I’m flexible 99% of the time–if a Thursday flight is £200 cheaper than Wednesday, guess what? Thursday it is. The same applies to return flights. A tiny shift in timing can mean big savings.
Ex-EU Trick
London is my base, but that doesn’t mean I must fly from London. If I can shave hundreds off my fare by taking a quick hop to Dublin, Helsinki, or another European city, I’m doing it. Google Flights lets me search up to seven departure airports at once, making it dead easy to spot the best deals. Thanks to lower taxes in some European countries, Ex-EU fares can be significantly cheaper than starting in the UK.
Points vs. Cash: The Hunt Begins
Next up: points availability. I check SeatSpy for BA, AA, and Virgin Atlantic redemptions because it’s fast. That said, SeatSpy isn’t always accurate, so I always double-check on the airline’s website. No one wants to get their hopes up for a reward seat that doesn’t actually exist.
aeroLOPA: Picking the Right Seat Like a Pro
aeroLOPA is a game-changer. It gives you incredibly detailed seating maps with 3D-like visuals, making it easy to pick the best seat. If it’s a plane I haven’t flown before, I’m not about to risk a dodgy seat choice – aeroLOPA makes sure I know exactly what I’m in for.
The Fun Bit: Experimenting with Every Trip
For me, every trip has to be different. New aircraft, new business or premium economy products, maybe even a new first-class suite – or, yes, even economy if I must. But it’s not just about the flight. I even switch up my route to the airport – sometimes I’ll drive and try a new airport car park, other times I’ll test the trains, splash out on a chauffeur, or if I’m feeling particularly New York, why not a helicopter transfer? Flying should be fun, and I make sure it stays that way.
What’s your ticket-buying / booking flights ritual? Drop your secrets in the comments – unless you’re gatekeeping, in which case, rude.
