How to use a VPN for cheaper flights

Searching for flights can be a doozy — the more you look, the higher the prices seem to get. Crazy, right? But it’s true: airlines are known to adjust ticket prices based on your IP (Internet Protocol) address, browsing history, zip code, and even your Wi-Fi connection. Here’s the good news: there’s a way to outsmart the system. With a VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can dodge price discrimination and score the best flight deals. Stick around, and we’ll show you how!

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How to get better flight deals online with a VPN

Want to save big on flights? Clearing your cookies and browsing cache and changing your IP with a VPN can make a huge difference. Wiping cookies and cache erases your activity history, while switching your IP changes your location — together, they reduce the risk of having to pay more than you actually should.
Pro tip: check out our special VPN deals for even more savings!

1. Download and install a VPN service if you haven’t already.

2. Open your VPN app and select any server — we chose Dallas, TX to get a US IP address.

3. Look up flights using Surfshark Search — our user-friendly search engine that delivers pure, organic results without any ads or tracking getting in your way.

4. Write down the prices.

We checked Skyscanner for flights from New York to London, departing on March 1 and returning on March 4, 2024. Here’s what we discovered:

• VPN server: Dallas, TX;
• Dates: March 1-4, 2024;
• Price: $417.

5. Clear your cookies.

6.  Repeat steps 2-5 for different server locations.

We randomly chose a server in London, UK. The results speak for themselves:

• VPN server: London, UK.
• Dates: March 1-4, 2024;
• Price: £292 (~$370)

By simply switching to a VPN server in London, we managed to save $47 — and it only took a few seconds! There’s also a good chance that if you took a little more time and tried a few more server locations, you could get these tickets for even less.

And it doesn’t stop at flights. You can also use a VPN to save money on hotels, accommodations, and even online shopping. 

Incognito flights — a life hack or a cheap joke?

There’s a rumor floating around the web that turning on incognito mode in your browser can supposedly lower airfares, even on Google Flights. It sounds great, but here’s the thing: we tried the incognito flight hack and the prices didn’t budge.

Why is that? Because airfares are usually set by the market and your location, tied to your IP address, plays a big role in that. Because incognito mode doesn’t hide your IP, websites can still identify your general location and adjust prices accordingly.

What incognito mode does do is limit access to your browser’s cookies and cache, while preventing the session from being saved. While some sites may use cookies to tweak their offers, it’s not a guaranteed practice across the board. The bottom line is this: Incognito mode alone isn’t the game-changer you’re looking for when it comes to saving money on flights.

More ways to get ultimate flight deals

A little extra effort can go a long way toward securing cheaper flights. Here’s a breakdown of other ways to save money on airline tickets besides using a VPN:

1. Be flexible with dates: traveling during peak times (hello, Christmas!) means sky-high prices. Off-peak dates are where the bargains are.
2. Fly midweek: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper for departures. Avoid weekends when possible!
3. Book in advance: the sweet spot is about 2–3 months before departure. For peak seasons, plan ahead by 5–6 months.
4. Keep your destination options open: if you’re set on one city, you might miss out on incredible deals elsewhere. Cast a wider net!
5. Check for alternative airports: flying into or out of a secondary airport can be significantly cheaper than using major hubs.
6. Consider connecting flights: direct flights are convenient but can come with a premium. Connecting flights may save you big bucks.
7. Mix and match airlines: combining airlines for different legs of your journey might cost less than sticking to one carrier.
8. Opt for budget airlines: while they might lack the perks of full-service carriers, they can also offer unbeatable prices — just watch out for extra fees.
9. Use flight comparison sites: these can uncover deals that you might normally miss when checking directly with airlines.
10. Set up fare alerts: many platforms let you track flights and notify you when prices drop. With alerts properly set up, you can pretty much sit back and let the deals come to you.
11. Leverage layovers for extra adventure: some airlines offer free or discounted stopovers in their home cities. It’s like getting a bonus mini-vacation. Yay!
12. Use miles and points: sign up for frequent flier programs or travel credit cards to earn points that can slash your costs.
13. Travel light: budget airlines often charge for checked bags. Save money by sticking to a carry-on.

How do websites determine your location?

We’ve now established that your location can significantly impact the prices you see, but how exactly does this happen? Here’s a breakdown of the tools websites use to figure out where you are:

IP address 

Every device has a unique IP address that carries information about your general location. This makes it easy for websites to serve up location-specific pricing. Also, if your IP address is static, the website can tailor the price to you specifically. So, if you notice that ticket prices increase the more you search, your IP address is most likely to blame.

GPS

This should be a no-brainer, but many users still overlook this simple method of identifying where they’re browsing from. Ever notice that Google always knows your exact location? That’s because your device’s GPS system can be tapped by any website or app. So, if your GPS is on, you can expect location-based pricing.

HTML5 geolocation 

While IP addresses provide general location data, HTML5 geolocation goes much deeper — down to your latitude and longitude. All modern browsers rely on this feature, but you can easily work around it with a VPN.

Cookies

Cookies temporarily store information ranging from your IP address to the buttons you clicked and the dates of your visits. This allows websites to personalize your experience in a myriad of ways — including showing updated flight prices every time you revisit or refresh a page.

Wi-Fi

Your location can also be estimated via the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. Platforms like Google cross-reference Wi-Fi hotspots with geographic data, making it even easier to adjust your prices.

Other benefits of using a VPN

Getting cheap flights is only one of the many benefits of using a VPN. First and foremost, a VPN is a privacy tool that helps you protect your online activity. It encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address, keeping you safe from all kinds of bad actors on the internet and helping you bypass oppressive internet censorship.

Getting better prices on flights and accommodations isn’t what a VPN was designed for. It just so happens that changing your IP and hiding your activity leads to better deals online. 

When you choose Surfshark as your VPN provider, you can enjoy a laundry list of benefits, including an ad blocker, Alternative ID, antivirus software, and more.

Find deals faster with RatePunk

RatePunk is a great tool for anyone searching for accommodation deals. It’s a free browser extension that scours multiple booking platforms and points you to the best offer. On top of that, RatePunk lets you know if booking from a different country will get you a better price.

At this point, all you have to do is connect to a Surfshark server in that country. So why not try using Surfshark and RatePunk together? Just don’t forget to keep your VPN on when you’re using hotel Wi-Fi!

Is it legal to use a VPN to buy cheaper flights?

Yes, it is legal to use a VPN for any type of online shopping, including purchasing flights or other travel bookings. To save you the trouble, we’ve contacted support at Kayak.com and AA.com and asked them straight out:

Both Kayak.com and AA.com confirmed that as long as the connection allows you to purchase the ticket, you are free to use a VPN service. 

While you’re looking for cheaper tickets, why not save on roaming fees, too? If you haven’t considered getting an eSIM for your travels yet, you can read our quick Saily and Holafly overview to find a cost-effective data plan for your destination.

In conclusion: book your next flight with a VPN 

You shouldn’t have to overpay for airfare just because of your location or past searches. The first step to saving money is simple: delete your cookies and get a VPN connection. This will allow you to change your virtual location and prevent websites from tracking your activity.

Once you’ve secured those cheap flights, the travel benefits don’t stop there — a VPN can also help you bypass censorship in highly restrictive countries and stay safe on any public Wi-Fi network. Travel smarter, save more, and enjoy peace of mind every step of the way!

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