#TravelHacks: A Filipino Guide to Booking Cheap Flights, Seat Sale

It feels like yesterday since we were plunged into the lockdown due to the pandemic, yet almost four years have passed since. From summer vacations to international concerts, people from around the world may find themselves hankering to travel more after the health crisis happened.

Filipinos are known for their affinity for affordable flights and snagging seat sales, so here’s a guide to learn about the science and economics behind budget-saving hacks and make smart choices when booking your next budget-friendly trip.

Cheapest Dates to Fly

It is a general rule of thumb to book flights in advance or at least three or four months before your desired date to yield savings. Sometimes, others prefer to book their plane tickets really late, as there are instances when airlines give huge discounts on unsold seats with travel dates between 21 days and 72 hours before the departure date. Flight deal expert Scott Keyes, however, dispelled this misconception in an interview with Travel + Leisure in April 2019, where he said that airlines would likely have higher fares when you book a flight near the departure date.

Moreover, one may use mobile apps like Cheapflights and Skyscanner or browse Google Flights to find the cheapest time or dates to fly. (Disclaimer: Prices shown in the app are basic fares only). For peace of mind and assurance, it is still advisable to book through official airline websites.

According to a recent study by Cheapair, the best day to book flights around Asia is approximately 2.5 months before your travel date, with the most affordable flights on Mondays and Wednesdays. The study shows that travelers can potentially save up to US$221 (P12,225) per airline ticket compared to flying on Fridays.

If you are a frequent flyer, air miles or points might not be a new concept to you. For instance, the three leading airlines in the country each have their own loyalty reward programs: Philippine Airlines (PAL) has Mabuhay Miles, Cebu Pacific has Go Rewards, and AirAsia has AirAsia BIG. It is recommended to register as a member of these commercial air carriers to enjoy perks or unlock rewards such as exclusive access to seat sale promotions, free flights, and other freebies.

Incognito Mode vs. Goldilocks Window

One of the most common myths about booking cheap flights is using an incognito browser or clearing cookies, but according to Keyes, there is no evidence that this practice is true or effective. Travelers should keep in mind that airfare is volatile, which means it is mainly influenced by external factors such as weather conditions and economic situations and does not follow fixed patterns.

Sure, you can try using the incognito browser, but Keyes suggested trying the “Goldilocks Window” instead. This concept is about timing your booking just right; not too early nor too late. Book two to eight months ahead for international flights and one to three months for domestic flights for optimal fares.

Number of Seats Offered

Booking a flight during a seat sale is like a game of cat and mouse; it requires strategic moves and cunning tactics. If you’ve experienced this, one possible reason may be getting fixated on a popular destination with fewer allocated seats.

In case you don’t know, Cebu Pacific, known for its Piso Seat Sale, publishes the available seats per route on its website. You can access it via this link, then click the Number of Seats Offered section. Here, you can find domestic and international flights including the sale and travel period.

Most importantly, there is no hidden formula when booking a seat sale. You just need to be more alert to the announcements from your preferred airlines and proactively follow their social media pages for updates.