Okay, so I recently had to book flights for a big group – think family reunion kind of big. And let me tell you, it was a PAIN. But, I figured out some tricks along the way, and I thought I’d share what I learned about using flight search tools to snag cheap group flights.
First things first, I started early. Like, REALLY early. We’re talking six months in advance. I know, it sounds crazy, but the earlier you start looking, the better your chances of finding deals, especially for a large group where you need multiple seats on the same flights.
Then, I hit up all the major flight search engines. You know, the usual suspects: Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner, Momondo. I didn’t stick to just one because each one pulls data from different sources, and sometimes you can find slightly different prices or flight options.
I played around with the dates. Even shifting your travel dates by a day or two can make a HUGE difference in price. I used the “flexible dates” option on Google Flights and Skyscanner to see the cheapest days to fly within a specific month. This helped me identify the sweet spots where prices were significantly lower.
I considered different airports. Sometimes flying into or out of a smaller, less popular airport near your destination can save you a bundle. I checked nearby airports to see if there were any cheaper options. Just make sure to factor in the cost and hassle of getting from the smaller airport to your final destination.
I looked at budget airlines. Airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest can offer super cheap fares, especially if you’re willing to forgo some of the frills. Just be sure to factor in extra costs for things like baggage fees and seat selection. For a group, those fees can add up quickly, so do the math to see if it’s really a better deal.
I used incognito mode. I’ve heard that airlines track your searches and might raise prices if they see you’re repeatedly looking at the same flights. I’m not sure if it’s actually true, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to use incognito mode just in case. It’s easy enough to do – just open a new private browsing window in your browser.
I contacted the airlines directly. For large groups, sometimes the best way to get a deal is to call the airline directly and ask about group rates. Many airlines offer discounts for groups of 10 or more, but you usually have to book through their group sales department. I called a few airlines and got some quotes, and some of them were surprisingly good.
I set up price alerts. Once I found some flights I was interested in, I set up price alerts on Google Flights and Kayak. This way, I’d get notified if the price went up or down, and I could jump on a deal when it popped up. This is crucial, especially when booking in advance, because prices can fluctuate a lot.
I booked in stages. Because it was a large group and I wanted to lock in the best prices as soon as possible, I didn’t wait to book everyone’s tickets at once. I booked tickets for the people who were sure about their dates and travel plans first. Then, as more people confirmed, I booked their tickets as well, hoping the prices wouldn’t go up too much.
I double-checked everything. This is SUPER important, especially when booking for a group. Make sure you enter everyone’s names correctly (as they appear on their passports), and double-check the dates, times, and airports. A small mistake can be a huge headache later on.
In the end, it took a lot of time and effort, but I managed to find some pretty decent deals for our group. It wasn’t easy, but by using these strategies, I was able to save us a good chunk of money. So, if you’re planning a trip for a large group, I hope these tips help you find some cheap flights too!
