There may be more value to the dollar around Asia because of the lower cost of living, but with a 16-hour flight, traveling to Southeast Asia can be expensive. Prices range from the high hundreds and into the thousands. But being in contact with other travelers and knowing where to look for the best deals can help lower the cost of the flight. Here are ways on how to get cheaper flights to the Philippines.
Ask around Filipinos where they book their tickets and any suggestions on how to find the cheapest flights. Filipinos tend to visit their homeland at least annually, with some going as often as four times a year. They can refer you to websites or people who have access to cheaper flights that you can buy. Most Filipinos refer other people to those who they have established a relationship with, such as travel or sales agents.
Book early on. To get the cheapest flights, there's almost no shortcut to booking at least four months to a year prior to departure. The earlier you book, the better deals you may have unless you get a last-minute flight that can either be really expensive or cheap. With a last-minute flight, you risk not being able to go either because of the price or the lack of seat availability. To secure a spot, booking early may allow you a better seat on the plane as opposed to settling in a corner that the airline has chosen for you because its the last seat on the house.
Talk to a Filipino travel agent from a local or smaller travel company. A smaller company may have hidden deals available than brand name companies. They may be able to pair various legs of the flight to a combination that will give you the cheapest price. Build a relationship with the agent that she can call you when prices are good.
Book a flight with a tour company. If you're thinking of using the services of a tour company during your trip to the Philippines, it may be cheaper to have the tour company book a flight for you. Usually, they have a number of people going on the same tour that they may be able to strike wholesale deals with an airline or booking company. This way, each flier can get a lower cost because groups are usually given discounts.
