500,000 Free Flights and International Flight Hacks

Let’s go to Asia or Europe or anywhere that’s international for you. But we need to save some money so let’s get into it.

1. Start a new browser and be ready to open a lot of new tabs:

   1. Use Google Flights

      1. Southwest.com (Google Flights doesn’t have Southwest data)

      2. Search multiple airports at once during departure and landing to get the best prices.

         1. Use the Data Grid and Price Graph

         2. Ask Google or ChatGPT “what airports are near [enter city]?”

      3. Visit the Explore tab on Google Flights for flexible dates and locations.

      4. Domestic flights: 1-3 months

      5. International flights: 2-8 months

   2. Use Skiplagged

   3. For students and adults under 30: StudentUniverse

      1. Prime Student members save up to 10% more on flights and hotels (connect StudentUniverse to prime account)

      2. Use promo codes

2. If you are flying to Asia, one nice hack is to fly out from LAX

   1. So you could book 2 separate tickets: one to get to LAX, then another to fly out to your Asian country.

   2. LAX to HNL to HKG: book 2 separate tickets if your final destination is to Hong Kong.

   3. I’ve noticed that among these 3 airports around Guangdong, China (SZX, HKG, and CAN), HKG is usually the cheapest.

   4. One way flights to Seoul, South Korea are about $100 from Hong Kong (HKG) and the return flight from Seoul to LAX is generally cheaper than HKG to LAX, so if you want to visit Seoul while you are around Hong Kong, go for it.

   5. Remember to take into account luggage fees

   6. Trick: Use major airport hubs that you can easily fly too as the starting point. LAX is great for most people who are traveling to Asia or the Pacific. Other routes:

      1. LAX to HNL to International Destination in Asia or the Pacific.

      2. Other starting airports include: PHL, ATL, MIA, SFO, BOS, LAX, EWR, ORD, IAD, JFK. Honestly, FLL seems to usually be cheaper than MIA.

3. Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free flights: raffle opens in May for those outside of Asia: https://wow.hongkongairport.com/lang/en/tickets/

4. In the US, you can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of ticket purchase if you booked it directly with airline and at least 7 days before departure.

5. Check if you need a visa or specific COVID testing to travel:

   1. https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

   2. Quick Visa Check Only for US citizens: https://cibtvisas.com/visa-quick-check

   3. You might even need a visa for a layover.

6. Use a travel reward credit card or points for free flights. Just google it: there are so many options.

   1. Download Auto Coupon Extensions like

      https://capitaloneshopping.com

   2. Blog here:

      Free Travel, Points, and Auto Coupons

7. Make sure to check out other flight hacks here: