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Finding promotional airfare can seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategies, you can travel more and spend less.
In this article, I bring you a complete guide with proven tactics to secure the best prices on LATAM, GOL and Azul flights.
Find out the best time to buy promotional flights
One of the secrets to finding promotional airfare is knowing when to buy.
Airline company
LATAM
Flight prices vary throughout the year, and airlines launch deals at specific times to attract more passengers.
When to Buy?
- Low season: Months like March, April, August and September usually have lower rates.
- In advance: Buying between 3 and 6 months in advance usually results in good savings.
- Last minute (in some cases): If available, airlines may offer last-minute discounts to fill empty seats.
Price Monitoring
Use tools like Google Flights and Kayak to monitor prices over several months.
These apps allow you to set up price alerts, helping you know the exact time to buy.
Sign up for Loyalty Programs: LATAM Pass, Smiles and TudoAzul
The loyalty programs of the main Latin American airlines —LATAM, GOL and Azul— are one of the most reliable ways to obtain promotional flights.
These programs allow you to accumulate points that can be redeemed for discounted flights.
Benefits of Loyalty Programs
- LATAM Pass: Allows you to accumulate miles on flights and purchases at associated establishments, such as pharmacies and supermarkets.
- Smiles (GOL): Smiles offers miles on flights, the use of affiliated credit cards and purchases made with partner companies.
- AllBlue (Blue): In addition to accumulating points on flights, it is possible to earn points in partnerships with hotels, car rentals and various businesses in Brazil.
Pro Tip: Check out seasonal loyalty program promotions, which often double the number of miles on credit card point transfers, increasing your chances of getting discounted flights.
Take advantage of Lightning Deals and Last Minute Promotions
Lightning deals can be a great opportunity to save on travel.
LATAM, GOL and Azul frequently launch short-term promotional campaigns, and keeping an eye out for these offers can help you get promotional flights at very low prices.
How to Stay Informed
- Follow the social networks: Stay tuned to the airlines' official websites for the latest deals.
- Subscribe to the newsletter: Sign up for airline emails, as the most exclusive promotions are often released via email first.
- Download the applications: Many flash deals appear first in airline apps.
Advice: These deals usually last only a few hours, so it's important to have your dates and destinations in mind to book right away.
Use Credit Cards to Earn Points and Redeem Flights
Credit cards are a great way to accumulate points that you can then redeem for promotional flights.
Many banks have agreements with loyalty programs that allow transferring card points.
Airline company
Blue
How to Maximize Points
- Choose cards with high points accumulation: Some cards offer more points per dollar spent.
- Take advantage of transfer bonuses: Pay attention to bonus campaigns on point transfers for LATAM Pass, Smiles and TudoAzul.
- Use your card for strategic spending: Pharmacies, supermarkets and fuel are recurring expenses that can generate significant points over time.
Pro Tip: Transfer points only during a bonus campaign, which can increase your miles by up to 100%, doubling the redemption potential.
Find Flights with Stopovers and Save Considerably
Direct flights are usually more expensive.
If you have the flexibility of time and are willing to take a longer trip, flights with stopovers can be a great way to score promotional airfare.
How to Find Flights with Stopovers
- Explore alternative routes: Consider options at nearby airports that may have cheaper fares.
- Consider different airlines: Sometimes it is cheaper to fly with more than one airline on a trip with stops.
- Use flight search engines: Tools like Skyscanner allow you to configure multiple cities to find cheap routes.
Compare Prices Using Flight Aggregators
Comparing prices is essential for those looking for promotional flights.
Using flight aggregator sites can help you find fares that don't appear in conventional searches.
Recommended Tools
- Skyscanner: Allows you to compare prices for LATAM, GOL, Azul and other airlines in one place.
- KayakIn addition to monitoring prices, Kayak offers fare forecasts, indicating whether it is the best time to buy.
- Google Flights: Another powerful tool that shows prices throughout the month, helping to identify the cheapest days to fly.
Advice: In addition to comparing prices, check directly on the airline's website, as in some cases promotional fares may only be available there.
Use Subscription Clubs for Exclusive Discounts and Promotions
For those who travel frequently, joining a mileage club can be an excellent investment.
LATAM and GOL offer subscription clubs that guarantee monthly miles and exclusive access to promotional flights.
Airline company
GOAL
Advantages of Subscription Clubs
- Club Smiles (GOL): Guarantees monthly miles, plus exclusive discounts on flights.
- LATAM Pass Club: Offers similar benefits, including exclusive promotions for subscribers.
These clubs are ideal for those who wish to travel at least twice a year, as the miles accumulated can be redeemed for flights at reduced rates.
Follow Tourism Fairs and Promotion Dates
Events such as Black Friday and travel fairs are excellent opportunities to get promotional airfare.
LATAM, GOL and Azul usually participate in these occasions by offering exclusive packages and discounts.
Dates and Events to Keep in Mind
- ABAV Fair: One of the largest tourism fairs in Brazil, where airlines offer discounted packages and flights.
- Black Friday:In November, airlines usually launch major promotional campaigns.
- Cyber Monday: Right after Black Friday, they usually offer additional promotions.
Extra Tips to Guarantee Promotional Airfares
Here are some final tips to help you save even more:
- Be flexible with dates: Weekday flights are usually cheaper than weekend flights.
- Activate incognito mode in the browser: Some sites may increase prices after multiple searches. Using incognito mode avoids this problem.
- Purchase in local currency: For international flights, check whether purchasing in the currency of the destination country is cheaper.
Consider Alternative Destinations to Maximize Promotions
If your goal is to travel while saving, choosing destinations on sale can be a great idea.
Often, by exploring less common routes, it is possible to find promotional airfares at much more affordable prices, especially on international flights.
- Alternative routes: Instead of choosing very popular destinations, consider nearby places with lower demand and therefore lower prices.
- Flights from alternative airports: In larger cities, comparing flights from alternative airports, or even from neighboring states, can result in significant savings.
Final Considerations
Find promotional air flights It requires some strategy and patience, but the result is worth it.
With these tips, you'll have a complete overview of best practices for getting low rates and optimizing your travel budget.
From taking advantage of last-minute deals to signing up for loyalty programs and using flight search engines, each of these strategies can make a difference in your travel experience.
Remember that combining several of these tactics increases your chances of success.
For example, using credit cards to rack up points while monitoring your favorite airlines' lightning deals and signing up for their loyalty programs can help you save significantly.
Plus, by being flexible with your dates and exploring alternative options, you'll be better prepared to make the most of every promotion that comes along.
So, start planning!
Every flight you take is an opportunity to apply these strategies, and over time, you'll see how traveling becomes more and more accessible.
Adjust your preferences, stay informed and enjoy the adventure of discovering new destinations without worrying about breaking your budget.
Have a good trip and enjoy every moment the world has to offer!