Okay, so last week my boss drops this surprise business trip on me. Needed to fly from Chicago to Miami next month. Company budget’s tight, so I had to hunt cheap flights myself. Started scratching my head about how to even begin searching properly.
First Move: Drowning in Options
Jumped straight to that big flight search site everyone uses. Just typed in the cities and dates like a dummy. Prices popped up around $350 – ouch. Tried another travel site, same deal. Felt stuck paying way too much.
The Game Changer: Flexible Dates Trick
Remembered a buddy saying airlines hate empty seats. Went back to the search site and clicked that “flexible dates” button. Whole calendar lights up with prices! Saw how Tuesday/Wednesday flights were $100 cheaper than Mondays. Also spotted red-eyes for dirt cheap but nah, ain’t sacrificing sleep for work trips.
Pro move: Compared three sites at once like this:
- Always clicked “include nearby airports” – saved $40 flying into Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami
- Unchecked “direct flights only” – one layover chopped $75 off
- Played with return dates – leaving Sunday cost $280 extra vs Saturday morning
Stalking Prices & Booking
Bookmarked my top three options. Checked next morning – one dropped $50! Waited till Wednesday afternoon, refreshed like crazy, and BAM. Snagged a flight for $189 total. Felt like winning the lottery.
Whole process took maybe 2 hours spread over three days. Boss got his trip, I saved company cash, everybody wins. Next time your work trip pops up, seriously – flex those dates and stalk those prices. Pays off big time.
