How To Use A VPN to Get Cheaper Flights
You’re probably wondering if it’s true that VPNs can help you find cheaper flights – or just a marketing gimmick.
Well, yes, it’s true. VPNs help you leverage regional pricing disparities, currency exchange rates, and local promotions. But only certain VPNs work for this, and you must use them correctly.
In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to use a VPN to find cheaper flights. But first, here’s a summary of our top VPN providers.
The five best VPNs to get more affordable flights:
[[post-object type=”steroid-list” limit=”10″/]]
[[post-object type=”loophole” id=”150″ /]]
Here’s a quick outline of the criteria we employed in choosing these VPNs (keep reading for more elaborate details):
- Plenty of servers around the globe
- Fast, reliable connections
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Access geo-restricted websites
- Work on numerous devices (Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, and more)
- Strong focus on privacy, including strict “no-logs” policies
Why use a VPN to get cheaper flights?
Using a VPN to find cheaper flights is a smart move for travelers. It hides your location and makes it look like you’re browsing elsewhere. This is useful because airlines often change their prices depending on your location.
With a VPN, you can see prices from different countries, which might be lower than in your own country. Also, websites won’t be able to change prices based on your past searches if they can’t track you. This means you might find better deals.
VPNs also keep your online activity private and secure, especially when using public Wi-Fi. So, a VPN doesn’t just have the potential to save you money on flights; it also keeps your online data safe.
How to use a VPN to get cheaper flights
1. Select a VPN with a global server network: We recommend ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
2. Install and launch the VPN on your device.
3. Connect to a server in a different country and search for your flight.
4. Take note of the flight’s price, then clear your browser cookies.
5. Repeat the search process by connecting to servers in various countries to find price differences.
6. Finalize your booking using the server location that offers the cheapest flight price.
[[post-object type=”versus-table” group-properties=”235,59,60,233,61,62,46,47,45,44,7,8,32″ single-properties=”452,453,434,13″ website=”true” ranking=”cheaper flights” /]]
Deep dive: The best VPNs to get cheaper flights
Now, let’s dive into an in-depth review of the best VPNs for securing cheaper flights. We’ll explore each option, emphasizing their features and explaining why they are outstanding choices for travelers looking to save on airfares.
If you’re still not sure after reading this, check out our complete VPN reviews.
[[post-object type=”summary-section” pros-cons=”true” /]]
Methodology: how we tested the best VPNs to get cheaper flights
Our evaluation process for identifying the best VPNs for finding more affordable flights emphasized essential features that enhance online experiences and optimize flight search access:
- Extensive server network: We prioritized VPNs with a large global network of secure servers. This is crucial for travelers looking to compare flight prices from different regions.
- Content access: Our selected VPNs excel in providing access to various sites worldwide. This capability to bypass geo-restrictions is vital for accessing diverse flight booking and travel sites.
- Fast connections: High-speed connections are essential. We focused on VPNs that maintain internet speed, which is crucial for quick and efficient flight price comparisons.
- Lightweight: The VPNs we recommend operate efficiently without significantly impacting mobile devices’ battery life, CPU performance, or speed. This ensures a seamless experience when searching for flights on various devices.
- Top-notch security: We selected VPNs with leading security features like robust 256-bit AES encryption and IP leak protection. These features are rigorously tested to ensure online anonymity and safety, especially for secure flight bookings.
- User-friendliness: Ease of use is key. We chose VPNs with straightforward applications and setup processes, making them accessible even to those new to VPNs.
- Value: Each VPN’s pricing, refund policies, and customer support were thoroughly reviewed. We have recommended VPNs that offer a good balance of features and cost-effectiveness, ensuring value for money.
Our in-depth testing process included server hopping, interacting with customer support, speed tests, and thorough checks for location and data leaks to ensure comprehensive and reliable recommendations.
For a more detailed breakdown, read our comprehensive review process.
Can I use a free VPN to get cheaper flights?
We do not recommend using a free VPN to get cheaper flights.
VPNs are sophisticated software that requires constant updates to counter new online threats and hacking techniques. That’s why premium services like ExpressVPN and Surfshark charge a monthly fee to support the investment required.
Free VPNs don’t make money from subscriptions, which leads to two huge issues:
1. They provide a low-quality product.
Free VPNs typically offer slower speeds and unreliable connections and may struggle to bypass geo-restrictions. They often have data limits, which can leave many online activities unprotected, like searching for flights.
2. They practice shady, dishonest business practices.
Many free VPNs resort to practices such as tracking and selling your private data, inserting ads into your browsing experience, or potentially exposing your device to malware to compensate for their lack of direct revenue.
For these reasons, investing in a reputable, cheap VPN is safer and more reliable for finding cheaper flights and protecting your online activities.
How to use a VPN to get cheaper flights FAQs
[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”How does a VPN help find cheaper flights?” answer=”
A VPN can help you find cheaper flights in a few ways:
- IP address: Airlines and travel websites may use your IP address to track online behavior and adjust flight prices. A VPN hides your IP address, reducing the likelihood of these sites tracking you and potentially raising prices based on your search history.
- Accessing region-specific deals: Flight prices can vary based on the user’s location. For instance, a flight from London to New York might be offered at a different price in India compared to the United States. Connecting to servers in various countries through a VPN allows you to explore these regional price differences and find lower prices.
- Bypassing ISP throttling: Some ISPs may slow down your internet speed if you consume a lot of data, particularly from streaming or downloading. This can hinder your ability to compare flight prices efficiently. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, helping you avoid such throttling, and enables smoother browsing of travel sites for the best deals.
” /]]
[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Is it legal to use a VPN to book flights?” answer=”
Yes, using a VPN to book flights is legal and can be an effective way to save money on travel. A VPN masks your IP address, reducing the ability of airlines and travel websites to track your browsing behavior and adjust prices based on your location or search history.
The benefits of using a VPN for flight bookings include:
- Cost savings: By concealing your IP address and accessing geo-restricted content, you can find more affordable flight options that may not be available in your region.
- Enhanced privacy and security: Encrypting your internet traffic with a VPN protects your personal information and browsing habits from being monitored or collected.
- Better online performance: A VPN can route your internet traffic through servers that offer more efficient connectivity, potentially improving your browsing experience, especially when comparing flight prices on different websites.
” /]]
[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Can a VPN affect my booking?” answer=”
It is unlikely that VPN usage will adversely affect how you book or the prices you find.
Airlines and travel websites use a variety of data points, like your browser fingerprint, cookies, and location data, to track your online activity and potentially modify prices. While a VPN masks your IP address, other data points like your browser fingerprint and cookies are still linked to your account, meaning these websites may still track your browsing habits.
Using a VPN might even help you find lower prices. For instance, connecting to a VPN server in the country where an airline is based could reveal more favorable pricing.
” /]]
[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Will my flight prices change if I disconnect from the VPN?” answer=”
Yes, flight prices may revert to higher rates once you disconnect from the VPN, as airlines and travel websites often use your actual IP address to track your location and browsing behavior. Once your location is exposed, these sites might adjust the prices based on your region.
To minimize the risk of price changes after disconnecting from the VPN, consider these tips:
- Use Incognito Mode: Browsing in a private window can prevent websites from storing cookies and tracking data on your device, which can influence flight prices.
- Clear browsing data regularly: This reduces the likelihood of websites accessing your past browsing activities, which they might use to adjust prices.
- Switch browsers or devices for booking: Booking flights using a different browser or device than the one you used for searching can make it harder for websites to correlate your activities and adjust prices.
- Explore different VPNs: Some VPNs have additional features that enhance privacy and help maintain consistent pricing, even when switching servers or disconnecting. Consider trying a VPN with such capabilities.
” /]]
Conclusion
Using a VPN to find cheaper flights is an effective strategy for traveling worldwide at very affordable prices.
By concealing your IP address, a VPN allows you to explore flight prices from various global locations, potentially uncovering lower fares due to regional pricing differences. Additionally, it helps maintain your privacy and avoids targeted price increases based on your browsing history.
While not a guaranteed method for savings, it’s a valuable tool for savvy travelers looking to optimize their travel expenses. Remember to compare prices with and without a VPN to ensure the best deal.