When Preston and I were searching for dreamy, but budget-conscious, honeymoon plans, several people recommended Scott’s Cheap Flights. I quickly made an account, but I honestly didn’t understand what the magic was for a little bit. I wanted to write a post about it in case you are a travel fan but have to stay on a budget like I do! I know plane travel (and travel in general) isn’t feasible right now, but like I mentioned in my how to evoke travel in the midst of a global pandemic post, sometimes you just need to plan a trip. Most airports are being flexible about COVID related cancellations, so if things still aren’t safe for the trip you plan months out, no big deal. Just make sure to check cancellation policies before you book!
What is Scott’s Cheap Flights?
Scott’s Cheap Flights (SCF) is a member-based travel alert program allowing you to input your home airport, preferred travel dates/months, preferred destinations and more specifications to tailor the best international travel deals for you– sent directly to your email inbox.
You can either become a regular member (for free!) or pay a premium membership rate of $49/year. We are currently on the free program because it’s not likely we will get to go on an international trip every year. SCF did just launch a limited domestic flight deal service for premium members, but again, we are on a budget and just not sure the $49 would be worth it every year. If you’re positive you are going to travel pretty often and your dates are flexible- go for it!
For example, I chose my home airport as McGhee Tyson here in Knoxville and my preferred travel time between October-May. I didn’t specify too much on the location- we seriously want to go everywhere! I think I didn’t select many beach locations because we just aren’t big beach people.
After you get your account set up, SCF will email you with relevant deals. These aren’t measly deals, either. I am talking $200 flights to Alaska (gasp!!), $500 to Asia, $400 to Europe- all from my tiny non-international airport. SCF only prioritizes actual deals. It excludes anything with a ton of layovers, overnight layovers (staying in a hotel/sleeping at the airport will usually outweigh the cost reduction!) and any other non-doable flight.
Once you receive an email with your dream trip destination, the email contains a link to the deal on Google Flights! From there, it’s just a normal booking process.
I will warn you, this service seriously gives me the travel bug every. single. day. Honestly I don’t mind because I am always dreaming and scheming of travel. If you’re trying to save money and don’t have too much will power when it comes to booking travel- you might want to hold off. But if you know you definitely want to go to Canada or Amsterdam next summer, why not go ahead and turn on the notifications just for Canada so you can’t get too distracted? Giving yourself plenty of time will increase your chances of finding a deal for a specific place you want to go.
The only con of this is it’s kind of up to chance. There’s no guarantee that a location you have in mind will have a deal. It could happen, but it might be better to go in open minded and have a few places on your list just in case.
Let me know if you have ever used SCF or if you think you definitely need to try it out now!
