How I got my ticket from Boston to Bali for $5.60

When I talk about traveling the first phrase uttered in response is often, “sounds expensive. How do you afford that!?” I just got my one-way ticket to Denpasar (aka Bali) for a measly $5.60. Sound to good to be true?

It’s not. Anyone can find these flights and book them for a cheap and thrilling vacation.

Which, is why I’m about to lay out the process I use to find the cheapest most inexpensive flight tickets around the world. The first summer I traveled, I visited over 14 countries in the course of two months for under $5000 dollars in Europe. This time, I have more time to visit, and a more flexible schedule.

I use Google Flights.

Google flights is an incredible way to find cheap tickets. It is easy to play around with the dates, and you can look at the differences in price from time to time. Additionally, google automatically recommends cheaper fairs within three days. If the trip dates are flexible you can compare the costs of flights on different days by clicking on the one-way feature and then looking at the Calendar option, which shows a bar graph of prices, listed by date.

Additionally, you can click the explore button on the map, and then see which locations and cities are cheapest to fly in and out of. This enables you to see which destinations are within your price range. If you can have flexible dates, this is the bargain hunter’s dream!

Skyscanner

In addition to google flights, I use an app called Skyscanner. This app is popular in Europe, and was actually recommended to me by a friend in Scotland. Between Skyscanner and google flights, I am normally able to find the cheapest tickets.

Credit Cards

I have in my possession three separate credit cards that rack up frequent flier miles.  I have used these card for the past three years to pay off bills that I need to pay off anyway: such as my car payment, student loans, and my cell phone bill.

I applied to each of these while the company was offering a special. One card I have is the Delta Skymiles Card- when I got this card, there was an offer to earn 50000 miles for spending $3000 in the first three months. I live in Massachusetts- my bills alone exceed that amount! Right now, if you apply, and are approved, you can earn 60000 miles simply by using the card to pay your bills. How far will these miles bring you?

My one-way ticket to Denpasar was 45000 miles and $5.60. Out of pocket, the cheapest ticket I could find was $470.00. That’s money I can now use to travel and see the world!

I also have a Barclaycard and an American Airlines card. The key is to use them on your monthly expenses and pay off the balance in full at the end of the month. This way, you will build credit, and you will earn the miles necessary to travel as frugally as possible.

This post is a great guide, showing how to use all the different types of credit cards to earn free miles.

In Conclusion

The money I spent on bills and rent paid for the trip to Bali. I would have spent the money anyway, and now, I am able to reap the benefits of the Frequent Flier Cards. Additionally, my credit score has improved, overall, because I have been paying off the balance at the end of each month.

And, if I can do it, so can you. 🙂 ❤