How Cheap Flight Alerts Work (and Why Your Next Vacation Depends On It) – Episode 151
Following the flight deals is one of the core strategies I’ve used to afford travel. Cheap flight alerts have helped me save between 40-90% on airfare, and it was often the inspiration I needed to keep my finances organized to seize time-sensitive travel opportunities. Flight deal subscriptions might be the game-changer you’ve been missing, but I get it—you might be skeptical, so I’m breaking down how flight deal subscriptions work, how they can benefit you, and why they are the golden ticket to travel experiences you’ve been overlooking.
Keep reading or listen to the podcast episode here.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeart | Any player
Listen to learn:
- How flight deal subscriptions work
- Why cheap flight alerts are important for saving money on travel
We also discuss:
- [6:08] Types of flight deals, such as flash sales and mistake fares
- [11:27] Differences between reliable and less reliable flight deal subscriptions
- [14:07] Benefits of cheap flight alerts
- [16:43] Flight deal subscription disadvantages and things to keep in mind
About Our Sponsor – Thrifty Traveler
We’ve partnered with Thrifty Traveler in the past, and I’m so excited to have them on board again, which means go check them out; I’m a big fan and even had founder Jared Kamrowski join me on the podcast in Episode 70 on how to find cheap flights with Thrifty Traveler Premium.
Listen to that episode here or on your favorite podcast player.
As financially savvy travelers, we value smart money decisions. That’s why I’ve been a loyal Thrifty Traveler Premium subscriber for nearly six years. It’s my go-to resource for finding cheap flights since 2018 because who likes to pay full price for flights?
With Thrifty Traveler Premium, you’ll get instant email alerts for cheap flights departing from the US and Canada. Plus, your subscription includes cheap flight notifications about points and miles sales, secret mistake fares, and discounted business and first-class tickets.
Sign up for Thrifty Traveler Premium today!
What You Need To Know About Flight Deal Subscriptions
Listen to this episode on YouTube!
What is a flight deal?
Flight deals are notifications you receive when airline ticket prices drop significantly. They can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, including flash sales, special promotions, or error fares (a.k.a. mistake fares). Click here to learn all about mistake fares and how to find them.
For travelers looking to save money on their flights, these subscriptions provide regular updates, equipping you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions as well as cost savings and time savings.
Instead of constantly searching for deals, rely on subscription services to notify you of relevant offers. Use that precious time to live your life or focus on other aspects of travel planning.
Find these deals through specialty flight deal alert subscriptions like Thrifty Traveler or through the airlines. Here are some other important things to know about flight deals.
1. Flight deals are time-sensitive.
When it comes to flight deals, time is of the essence. When a deal is shared, thousands have access to it, so everyone is trying to book it at the same time. Seats in these aircrafts are limited, therefore, it is crucial to act fast.
2. Most deals are shared via email.
Subscribers of flight deal alert services typically receive email notifications about these deals. Deals may also be shared on social media. The most exclusive memberships share text message airfare alerts, providing immediate notification for those who may not check their emails regularly.
How long do flight deals last?
Depending on how many people are booking, they can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Always assume that the deal won’t last. Act fast!
Flight Deal Advantages
1. Cost savings: One of the benefits of receiving alerts for flight deals is the cost savings. By taking advantage of these deals, travelers can pay a fraction of the regular ticket price, saving anywhere from 40% to 90%.
“All it takes is one deal. All I need to do is book one flight and get those savings and that flight subscription paid for itself.”
Danielle Desir Corbett
2. Time savings: Receiving flight deal alerts saves time on research. Finding these deals manually would be challenging and time-consuming. These subscriptions provide notifications, allowing you to know when a good deal is available without having to spend hours searching for it.
Remember, flight deals are unpredictable and can happen anytime, so it’s helpful to stay in the know.
3. No-Last Minute Deals: Reliable flight deal subscription services will share flight alerts far in advance (no last-minute deals). For example, Thrifty Traveler never shares last-minute fares, only things you can comfortably book up to 11 months in advance. Planning trips in advance and taking advantage of lower prices means you can coordinate vacations with work or family commitments.
4. Convenience: Another benefit of flight deal subscriptions is the convenience of offering instructions on how to book deals, including which airlines to book with, and pre-filled out Google Flight links, making it easier to search for and book the deals without wasting time inputting a lot of information.
Not to mention, reliable flight deal subscription services typically share deals from reputable airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and United, not budget airlines.
Some services go one step further by providing valuable information and insights about travel destinations, such as tips on the best times to visit and recommendations for activities. Other additional perks include picking preferred departure airports. Customization means more opportunities to take advantage of time-sensitive deals, too.
The Disadvantages
Despite the many advantages, there are drawbacks to consider when using flight deal subscriptions. One of the main drawbacks is the influx of emails you’ll receive.
With regular updates and alerts for cheap flights, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the volume, which can be anywhere from one to three or more emails daily.
To mitigate this, I recommend organizing and automating emails into specific folders, as well as deleting unnecessary ones. By creating a system for managing these notifications, stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Develop a workflow for organizing your emails and prioritize the deals that are of most interest to you.
Another point to consider is that you’ll see many deals cross your desk, and you’ll likely pursue a handful of them. This is not Pokémon; you don’t have to catch them all. :)
Another consideration is the cost of these subscriptions. While some flight deal services are free, others require a paid subscription, usually less than $100 a year. Carefully evaluate the costs of subscriptions and weigh it against the potential sayings you may receive.
Click here for a list of my go-to websites for finding the best flight deals.
In closing, flight deal subscriptions offer lots of benefits, including time and cost savings, as well as convenience. By subscribing to these services, stay informed about discounted flights and take advantage of opportunities to make your travel dreams even more affordable.
Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.
Overall, flight deal subscriptions are a trusted companion looking out for you. When a price drops, you’ll know about it. I’m a big fan because of the ease and convenience of it all. And I’m more than happy to pay for that service.
I hope you found this article (and podcast episode) on cheap flight alerts helpful.
I encourage you to listen to The Thought Card Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and join my email list, where I share ways you can become a deal-snatching, financially savvy traveler.
Other Content You’ll Enjoy
Backpacking For Beginners with Will Hatton – Episode 138
What People Get Wrong About Financially Savvy Travel – Episode 148
How To Start a Travel Fund – Episode 2
Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.
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