Five ways to get a cheap flight

It pays to have a flexible approach when looking for deals on flights. Photo / 123RF

Shop around online and you can save heaps, says Megan Singleton.

Do you ever feel that when you try to snaffle up a cheap flight you end up with Pineapple Lumps instead? Here are ways to give you an advantage over your fellow "contestants" and save money.

1. Try various search engines

I'm a fan of travel agents for their bulk buying power that they can pass on to customers, but if it's just a flight you're after and not hotels too, try search engines. I like skyscanner.co.nz and expedia.co.nz for international fares. These are especially good for domestic sector flights overseas when you just want to hop from LA to Chicago, for example.

2. Be flexible

If you have an event to go to, allow a window of a few days either side to give you as much choice as possible. Air New Zealand's site allows you to see at a glance a range of the cheapest fares three days either side and invariably I grab one of their alternative suggestions.

3. Fly to secondary airports

Some airports add huge departure and arrival taxes (I'm looking at you London, whacking about $400 on a ticket). For travel to Britain consider flying into Manchester and out of Paris or somewhere else in Europe. If you are in the United States the bigger cities offer more choice, so you'll find Los Angeles to New York, for example, will be more competitive than secondary airports.

4. Try different routes

If Paris is your final destination, for example, think about various routes and airlines that might offer better deals. I would look at Singapore Airlines and Emirates for the sheer choice of destinations they fly into. China Southern is also worth a look as they are often more price competitive and are making a bit of a splash in the market right now.

5. Earn air mileage points everywhere

Make sure you are not only an air points member, but hook up your weekly spending too and before you know it you'll be swimming in free flights. Certain credit cards, supermarkets and retailers are hooked up with Air New Zealand Airpoints. Some banks also have deals to tag your mortgage on to so you may never need to pay for a domestic flight with real money.

Click here for Megan's blog on saving money while travelling.