VPN for Cheaper Flights: Tips to Save on Your Next Ticket Purchase

They say travel broadens the mind. Do you know what else it does? Thins out your wallet, that's for sure! Well, we're here to change that. In our modern times, there are many steps you can take to score cheaper flights.

If you're looking for a way to find the cheapest flight tickets, you're in luck — in this Mysterium VPN blog post, we'll teach you all about online security when buying flight tickets, about price discrimination, how websites determine your actual location and how to use a VPN for cheaper flights!

Let's pull up your favorite travel websites and get going!

Flight Ticket Pricing Explained

Plane ticket prices have always caused people headaches. Here's how airline websites determine the price of your next vacation.

• Base Fare & Fare Classes: The ticket price starts with a base fare, varying by class (economy, business, etc.), and includes taxes and fees.
• Dynamic Pricing: Airlines adjust prices in real time based on demand. Early bookings are often cheaper, while last-minute tickets have higher prices attached unless there are unsold seats.
• Competition: More airline competition on a route makes the prices drop, while monopolies on routes drive up costs.
• Operating Costs: Fuel, labor, maintenance, and airport fees significantly influence ticket prices.
• Timing: Peak travel times (holidays, weekends) cost more, while off-peak times offer cheaper tickets.
• Taxes & Fees: Government taxes and airport fees add to the cost.
• Revenue Management Systems: Nowadays, some airlines use AI and algorithms to maximize their profits, balancing seat availability and passenger demand.
• Extras: Add-ons like baggage, seat selection, and meals contribute to overall costs.

In short, ticket prices fluctuate constantly, driven by demand, competition, and operational costs. Being flexible with dates and booking early can help you find cheaper flights.

How Do Websites Find Your Location?

You may be asking yourself, how do these booking sites know my IP address, and why do they charge different prices based on my virtual location?

Here's everything you need to know before you accidentally pay higher prices for your next flight!

IP address

Every device you have is assigned its own IP address, which contains data about your geographical location. As a result, websites can easily display regional pricing.

Additionally, the website may adjust prices for you if your IP address is static. Therefore, your IP address is likely to be at fault when you realize that the more you search, the higher the ticket prices will be.

GPS

It should be obvious, but many consumers ignore this easy way to identify their browsing location. Have you ever noticed that Google always knows where you are?

That's because any website, including airline websites, can access your device's GPS system. If your GPS is turned on, you can expect location-based pricing.

HTML5 geolocation 

Although IP addresses offer broad geographic information, HTML5 geolocation provides far more detailed information, including your latitude and longitude.

All current browsers rely on this feature, but using a VPN makes it simple to bypass it.

Cookies

Cookies temporarily store information, such as your IP address, the buttons you clicked (your browsing history), and the dates of your visits.

This allows websites to personalize your experience in a myriad of ways — including showing updated flight prices every time you revisit or refresh a page.

So, while you won't need to re-enter your password every time you visit flight comparison sites, you won't get the lowest flight prices, either...

Wi-Fi

Your location can also be guessed through your Wi-Fi connection. Places like Google cross-reference Wi-Fi hotspots with geographic data, making it even easier to adjust your prices.

What Is a Virtual Private Network?

First and foremost, we need you to gain a working understanding of what a virtual private network, otherwise known as a VPN, is. A VPN is an encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network.

When you use a VPN, the encrypted connection helps ensure that your sensitive data is safely transmitted over the World Wide Web. It prevents unauthorized people from eavesdropping on your online activity and allows the user to conduct work remotely.

However, there are also other benefits of using a VPN service, like changing your virtual location. Say you're connecting to flight booking platforms from London, and the prices are making your vision dizzy.

If you decide to use a VPN, you can change your IP address (Internet Protocol, which reveals your geographic data) by choosing a different country and connecting to different server locations. Now you're screen is full of better prices!

Are Free VPNs Safe?

Due to their limited security features and potential to log or sell user data to recoup costs, free VPNs are usually less safe than paid alternatives.

Some free VPNs have inadequate encryption, which allows hackers to access your online activity.

Along with slower connections, they might have fewer server locations and invasive advertisements.

There are some trustworthy free VPNs out there, but they frequently have limited features or restrictive data limitations. Purchasing a reputable paid VPN like Mysterium VPN is a safer option for increased privacy and stability.

How to Use VPN for Cheaper Flights

You came here for instructions on how to use a VPN for cheaper flights. Here you go!

• Choose a reliable VPN: We may be a bit biased, but we recommend Mysterium VPN for all of your browsing needs!
• Clear cookies and cache: Airlines and traveling sites track your activity using cookies, which may result in higher prices based on your browsing history. Clean that up!
• Choose a target location: Look for countries with cheaper tickers. Common options for the cheapest country include countries with lower average incomes or the airline's base country.
• Search for flights: Head to beloved flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak.
• Compare prices across locations: Now's the time to switch your VPN to server locations and repeat your search to look at price differences.
• Select the best deal: Once you find the lowest price, verify the currency and any hidden taxes; yuck!
• Book your flight: Stay connected to the VPN server until you finalize the booking.
• Post-purchase steps: Now you can safely disconnect from your chosen VPN server, confirm your purchase, sit back and relax!

Pro Tips

• Monitor Exchange Rates: If booking in a foreign currency, use favorable exchange rates to your advantage.
• Flight Alerts: Set up price alerts on platforms like Google Flights and compare these with VPN-assisted searches.
• Regional Pricing Patterns: Countries with cheaper tickets often correspond to where airlines operate more flights or target promotions.

Other Benefits of Using a VPN

One of the many benefits you reap if you decide to use a VPN when you buy tickets is being able to find flights cheaper.

However, a VPN service also acts as a fantastic privacy tool that helps you safeguard your online behavior and past searches.

By hiding your IP address and encrypting your communication when you use a VPN app like Mysterium VPN (just saying!), it protects you from online threats and allows you to get around restrictive internet regulations like mobile tracking and slower speeds.

A VPN wasn't created just to help you get better deals on ticket prices and hotel stays. It's just lucky that you can also get lower prices online by disguising your activities and changing your IP.

Is It Legal to Use a VPN to Buy Cheaper Flights?

Yes, it's typically legal to use a VPN to purchase cheaper flights.

Although the majority of countries allow VPNs, some airlines or booking sites may have terms of service that prohibit using them to get around regional pricing.

Although highly unlikely, inconsistencies in billing information or location may result in issues or cancellations.

Be mindful of possible foreign transaction costs, always verify terms, and make sure payment information matches.

Other Ways to Find Cheapest Flight Tickets

Searching the web and trying to buy cheaper flights can be such a hassle. But Rome wasn't built in a day either, right?

Here's what you can do (couples with using a VPN for cheaper flights, of course) to find the best flight deals and enjoy lower prices for your dream destination country. Let's sav you some money!

• Flexibility is key: Choose your dates wisely because it'll cost you a fortune to fly anywhere during peak travel seasons. The best deals are found on off-season dates.
• Mid-week flights: You're more likely to find cheaper flights during the middle of the week, like Tuesday or Wednesday, when prices tend to drop.
• Plan in advance: You're more likely to find cheaper flights if you plan your vacation at least a few months before your planned travel dates.
• Don't be picky: If you don't have a concrete plan in mind, places like Southeast Asia and any other low-income country will offer you better prices when booking flights.
• Compare prices: If many airlines fly to the same destination, it's a good idea to browse around for cheaper prices and the best deals.
• Wait for the best deals: If you're in no hurry, waiting for Black Friday flight deals or similar discount holidays is a good idea.
• Choose between airports: Compare prices between different airports within the same area. Oftentimes, a country's secondary airport will bless you with much cheaper plane tickets.
• Use flight comparison sites: These can uncover great flight deals that you might normally miss when booking flights directly with airline websites.
• Don't be scared of layovers: Some airlines offer free or heavily discounted stopovers in the airline's home country.
• Find an error fare: Sometimes airlines offer cheaper flights due to an error that the company didn't notice. If you stumble upon an error fare and book the flight, the airline can't revoke the cheaper tickets.
• Mix and match airlines: Combining airlines for different legs of your journey might cost less than sticking to one carrier. Why not buy your connecting flights from a cheaper airline, right?
• Don't overpack: Budget airlines often charge you extra for checked bags. Save on flight prices by sticking to a carry-on.
• Use your benefits: Sign up for frequent flier programs or travel-focused credit cards to earn points that can slash your flight prices.

Use a VPN for Cheaper Flights

Welcome to the finish line! Now you know everything there is to know about using a VPN for cheaper flights and how to find the best deals for your next vacation.

Turn on your VPN service of choice (again, we recommend Mysterium VPN, but who are we to say?), pick your dream spot, connect to a VPN server, and watch the prices drop!

Bon voyage! Be sure to send us a postcard, will you?

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