As we wake up to one of the biggest shopping days of the year, many people, including me, will be looking to score some mega deals for our Christmas shopping list. Black Friday is a colloquial term for the Friday after the American Thanksgiving holiday.
It marks the day when, historically, business books go into the black, having secured enough money to cover their running costs. Many stores, not just in the United States but around the world, then promote themselves by offering highly discounted goods or services. Traditionally limited to the latest electronic devices, Black Friday now encompasses a plethora of goods which for the travel savvy now happens to include airfares.
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Tips to get a great deal
With that in mind, we have come up with several tips to help get you the best prices on flights to both domestic and international destinations.
To score the best deals, you must be incredibly flexible with your travel plans and open yourself up to traveling at what differs from the ideal time of day. To find the best deals, you need to check various travel websites. Some will limit themselves to a particular airline, whereas others look for the best possible deals for flights and destinations. Some websites we recommend are Travelzoo, Skyscanner, Momondo, Kayak, and Expedia.
Photo: Air Tahiti Nui.
Another big tip if you are looking to get the very best airfares is to sign up for flight alerts. This way, when a flight goes on sale, you are notified straight away, and as the saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm.”
Don’t be afraid to ask for a deal
Many airlines like to keep some offers under wrap for their frequent flyers, which is why it can pay off if you are proactive and ask if any Black Friday deals are available. Even if it is just an upgraded seat, it is better than nothing. Social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are other places where you should look for deals, as airlines love to promote themselves to the masses.
If you can forgo traveling at peak times and take a red-eye flight, there are lots of deals to be had. Afternoon flights always carry a premium as that is when most people like to travel. Booking your flight early in the morning is also a good tip, as many airlines offer a limited number of economy seats on sale to make sure that the plane is not flying half empty.
Black Friday deals for 2022
Here is a list of current Black Friday deals that are available today:
Aer Lingus
Photo: Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is offering $100 off economy and $200 off business class flights for travel between November 2022 and May 2023.
Air Canada
If you book before November 27, Air Canada offers discounts and miles bonuses to all destinations. The savings are available for flights between now and June 30, 2023.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong’s favorite airline Cathay Pacific offers discounted fares in all classes if you book by November 28, 2022. Economy class seats on flights to Asia start at $679. All travel needs to be completed by October 28, 2023.
Air Tahiti Nui
Have you ever dreamed of jetting off to the South Pacific? If so, Air Tahiti Nui offers flights from Los Angeles and Seattle starting from $698. The special fare is for flights between January 7, 2023, and March 31, 2023.
Iberia
Photo: Iberia
If you book before November 28, 2022, Spanish national flag carrier Iberia is offering mouthwatering deals to several cities in Spain and Portugal. Some fares are as low as $494 from American gateways to Madrid. Travel is from January 1, 2023, and June 1, 2023.
Qatar Airways
If you want to get from Europe to Asia with a stopover in the Gulf, Qatar Airways offers $200 off economy fares and $350 off business class fares to all destinations. Travel must occur between December 26, 2022, and October 31, 2023.
