Cheap flights to Asia Pacific incl. flight hacks and hidden deals

Long waiting times when calling the helpline?

Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and others).

When it comes to Twitter there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add "@airline_handle", for example: "@EmiratesSupport"). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.

Book your flights in the local currency

Airfares that a flight search engine or airline website quotes you often vary depending on where you book from. Try to spoof your location and currency so that it looks like you're booking the flight from the same country it departs from. For example, if you are in the US and booking a leg of your trip from Tokyo to Bangkok, set the country on the airline website to Japan and the currency to Japanese yen (JPY).

This simple trick doesn't work every time (not all websites set prices the same way), but it can sometimes save you significant money.

Take advantage of loyalty programs

Choose an airline that suits you the best, then stick to it. By becoming a 'regular', you will be able to use its loyalty program and earn "miles" (or points) – not only for flying but also for everyday expenses (if your card is affiliated with an airline).

Points earned this way often add up over time and are extremely helpful in flying at reduced fares. Airlines offer not only ticket discounts for their frequent flyers, but also special travel perks such as cabin class upgrades, increased checked baggage allowance, or access to their airport lounges so you can relax during long layovers.

If you often fly with Emirates, opt for Skywards, with Qantas – for Qantas Frequent Flyer, with Singapore Airlines – for KrisFlyer, etc.

Don’t wait for the last-minute

Booking last-minute flights almost always never work out. You should never wait until the last minute unless you have to. If you want to find a great deal, be quite flexible with your travel dates and book well in advance – the best fares for international routes can be spotted around 2-3 months before the departure date.

Try to plan far in advance and you will pay at least a few hundred dollars less for the trip.

Pre-book the exact luggage allowance

It is always cheaper. Plan your baggage, and don’t just look at the maximum weight – make sure you are within the specified size (length/width/height) and the number of bags allowed. It will be enormously expensive if you go over and have to purchase additional kgs during check-in at the airport. Huge fees await if the airline staff catches you with oversized luggage at the boarding gates!

Booking through a travel agent easies the pain

If you hate dealing with airlines’ customer care, consider using a travel agent to book your flights. They can remove all that drama from your booking experience. When an airline cancels a flight or makes a change to your itinerary, travel agents have the power to handle this on your behalf. Sometimes, they can even “bend” the rules.

The best thing: you’ll typically pay the same price for the flight ticket. Commissions made by agents generally come from the airline side, not from the customer side.

Carry your prescriptions

This one is important and will ensure you get through customs and immigration smoothly. Some countries are very strict about medicines you carry along. Many common OTC medicines available in one country may require a prescription in another. Make sure you take prescriptions along to avoid any hassle while traveling.

Board early

Overhead baggage bins on the plane tend to fill out quickly. Try to board early so you can secure room for your hand luggage and avoid “stowage wars.”