Simply from utilizing my bank card for issues like my groceries, gymnasium membership, cellphone invoice and dinners out, I’ve earned sufficient factors to get wonderful offers on flights (like Ottawa–Iqaluit for $99 and Toronto–Prague for $37). Admittedly, these factors took a very long time to avoid wasting up, however the flights have been definitely worth the wait.

6. Be part of airline loyalty packages

You don’t want a journey bank card to earn airline factors. As an alternative, any time you fly on an airline that provides a loyalty program, join. It’s free to affix.

Air Canada’s Aeroplan, WestJet Rewards and VIPorter all award miles or factors, no co-branded bank card required. Or you possibly can join a basic Air Miles account. That loyalty program companions with these three airways plus Air Transat, Air North and worldwide carriers like Emirates, KLM and Lufthansa. (Do you need one of Porter Airlines’ new BMO credit cards?)

You’ll be able to even register for loyalty packages with non-Canadian airways. From one Toronto–Reykjavik flight with Icelandair, I earned $40 value of Saga factors, which I redeemed on one other flight with that airline just a few years later. Even a small low cost is healthier than nothing.

7. Observe flight offers

Airways often have gross sales, which they announce on social media and of their newsletters.

You may as well join alerts from journey deal websites like Travelzoo and YYZ Deals, which additionally runs YHZ Deals for affordable flights from Halifax, YYC Deals for affordable flights from Calgary, YVR Deals for affordable flights from Vancouver, and others. They’ll ship you emails for closely discounted flights and even “mistake fares,” when airways by accident publish super-low costs. Sure, that basically occurs.

Then there are impartial bloggers and social media influencers to comply with, too. The Canadian Jetsetter and Next Departure publish flight offers and suggestions for reserving on bank card factors.

8. Fly “fundamental” (however solely when it is sensible)

Nearly each airline has began to supply fundamental fares, that are cheaper than financial system seats however cost further for issues like carry-on luggage or selecting your seat. Some, like WestJet’s UltraBasic, don’t permit carry-ons in any respect for home routes (though you possibly can examine a bag, for a payment). These fares could make sense for brief getaways. For instance, finances airline Ryanair is wildly standard in Europe for no-frills nation hops.