How to Fly for Free with a Cardboard Box and Other Travel Hacks

When planning your next trip, you may encounter various travel hacks promising substantial savings on airfare. While some of these tactics are effective and rooted in practical strategies, others lack credibility or veer into the realm of absurdity. This article will examine a selection of popular and unconventional travel hacks, evaluating their legitimacy and potential to genuinely reduce your travel expenses. By differentiating between sound advice and amusing myths, we aim to equip you with the knowledge necessary to make informed choices and maximize your budget while traveling.

Travel hacks are more realistic and effective.

One of the most viral travel hacks of all time is the simple travel hack (save hundreds on flights) that was posted on Reddit in 2013. The post shows a picture of a man wearing a cardboard box with a picture of an airplane window on it, implying that he is pretending to be on a flight. The post is titled “Simple travel hack (save hundreds on flights)” and has over 1,000 comments. The post is obviously a joke, but some people took it seriously and wondered if it would actually work. The answer is no, it wouldn’t work, because you would need a lot more than a cardboard box to fool airport security and board a plane. You would also need a boarding pass, a passport, a luggage tag, and a lot of luck. Not to mention, you would probably get arrested for trying to sneak into a flight. So, unless you want to end up in jail, don’t try this travel hack at home.

But don’t worry, there are other travel hacks that are more realistic and effective than the cardboard box trick. Here are some of them:

– Use the calendar grid and price trackers to find the best deals on flights. This is a travel hack that actually works, and it’s recommended by Johnny Jet, a travel expert and blogger. He explains how to use the calendar grid feature on Google Flights, Kayak, and other travel websites to compare the prices of different dates and destinations. He also suggests using price trackers like Hopper, Skyscanner, and Airfarewatchdog to monitor the price changes and get alerts when the fares drop. He gives an example of how he saved $400 on a flight from Los Angeles to New York by using this method.

– Use the ‘Anywhere’ search, Ryanair’s ‘Fare Finder’, and Google Flights’ new feature to find cheap flights. This is another travel hack that works, and it’s suggested by Independent.ie, a news website from Ireland. They list six tips to find cheap flights, and one of them is to use the ‘Anywhere’ search option on Skyscanner, Kayak, and other travel websites to see the cheapest destinations from your departure airport. Another tip is to use Ryanair’s ‘Fare Finder’ tool to find the lowest fares for a specific month or season. A third tip is to use Google Flights’ new feature that shows you the cheapest and best flights for your trip, based on factors like price, duration, and number of stops.

– Book direct, price match, and sign up for reward programs to cut expenses without cutting the quality or duration of the trip. This is a travel hack that works, and it’s shared by Our Family Passport, a family travel blog. They share 12 ways to save money on flights and hotels, and one of them is to book direct with the airline or hotel, instead of using third-party websites. This way, you can avoid hidden fees, get better customer service, and have more flexibility in case of changes or cancellations. Another tip is to price match with the airline or hotel, if you find a lower price elsewhere. A third tip is to sign up for reward programs, such as frequent flyer miles, hotel loyalty points, and credit card bonuses, to earn free flights and stays.

These travel hacks can help you save money.

Traveling can be expensive, but employing effective hacks can significantly reduce flight costs, far surpassing the dubious cardboard box trick. While numerous strategies exist, their effectiveness often varies based on individual circumstances and preferences. Conducting thorough research and comparing available options is essential, as is maintaining flexibility and creativity throughout your planning process. Ultimately, the most valuable travel hack is to savor your journey, regardless of the budget constraints.

Related posts:
This Travel Hack Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars When Booking Flights
12 Travel Hacks to Save Money on Flights & Hotels