How to Find Cheap Flights and Discount Airfares

Within Australia, the top five travel destinations in 2022-23 were New Zealand, Indonesia, the USA, the UK and India.¹ABS – Overseas Arrivals and Departures Australia

While financial operating losses for Australian domestic airports are still being felt across the board, passenger numbers for both domestic and international flights are clearly rebounding. In June 2023 alone, 4.9 million people flew on domestic commercial aviation in Australia.^{2Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts – Domestic Aviation Activity Statistical Report June 2023, p1} That’s a lot of trips and a lot of money.

Have a look at our tips for keeping your budget low when jetting off.

Mix and match your flights

You could look at combining airlines with one-way tickets for each journey. For example, your ticket to a destination could be cheaper with Airline A, but your ticket home might be cheaper with Airline B.

Make frequent flyer points your new hobby

Buying food at Woolies, filling up your car at BP or picking up dog food at Petstock? Do all these things in a week and you’ve already racked up a bunch of frequent flyer points^{3Qantas – Frequent Flyer Points} to help the cost of your next trip. Consider changing your mindset a little bit and you might find yourself thinking about how your next purchase could help your next holiday.

Subscribe to all the things

Qantas Red-E deals, Club Jetstar, Webjet Newsletters: there’s plenty of services to jump onto to get cheap deals and quick opportunities sent right to your inbox or to alert you to international sales. If you’re after an easy way to save time where other people do all the work, consider signing up.

Stopovers are your friend

When the holiday vibe hits us, we look for non-stop flights to kick things off immediately. But that’s where it can get costly. If you plan carefully and don’t mind taking your time, booking flights that have a stopover or two in a different destination can reduce the overall price of your airfares.

Digital wallets, not cards

The days of carrying a hidden money belt full of foreign currency are gone. You may want to keep a small handful of cash for daily use but these days, digital wallets are where it’s at. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Virgin Money and countless others can be a quick and easy way to pay.

Time for Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance can help safeguard your money, belongings and health while travelling. Depending on your insurer, you can be covered for stolen goods, emergency medical treatment and sometimes, even flight cancellations.

Another factor to consider when it comes to Travel Insurance is your destination. Different countries have a variety of environmental risks, dangerous wildlife and tourist hotspots that can be a target for robberies.

With Travel Insurance in mind, let’s check out a few of the major holiday spots and their unique features.

New Zealand – A quick trip over the Tasman Sea remains a popular holiday destination for Australians. The North and South Islands of New Zealand boast extraordinary landscapes, Hobbit towns and a deep history of Māori culture. With legendary snowboarding spots and plenty of rolling vistas to hike, insuring yourself for accidental mishaps can be helpful to your wallet.

Japan – Seeing the cherry blossoms of Japan is a common entry on many bucket lists. There are over 100 mountains to explore between the popular cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka but there’s also the very real risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. Medical care in Japan can be expensive so it pays to be careful.

Canada – The vast arctic tundra of the Inuit people and the French culture of Montreal are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this expansive nation. But with extreme weather conditions and perhaps the occasional polar bear, safety is still something to keep in mind.

Singapore – Situated near the equator and packed with luxury hotels and theme parks, Singapore is a popular spot for Australian holidaymakers. Diving in the waters off Sentosa Island, breakfast with orangutans at Singapore Zoo or being driven around the Formula One track in a Ferrari are some of the reasons to visit. However, the near-constant humidity and monsoon seasons are reason enough to be careful when planning your trip.

United States – Dreaming of visiting Hollywood, having a bagel in Central Park or driving a pickup truck across Route 66? The United States of America is extremely varied in its attractions, landscapes and people but while the appeal of enjoying movie-like experiences is strong, it’s a good reminder that their medical care system is very different to Australia. Insurance can be very worthwhile for a North American holiday.

Compare Travel Insurance prices

If you’re on a budget or not sure what you need, compare Travel Insurance* policies with iSelect from our range of providers and plans today. Simply compare online, and you can select a level of cover from our range.

Ensure you review the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for any policy you consider for details on policy inclusions, limitations and exclusions.