How to Save on Soaring Airfares in Brazil

Purchasing strategies, flexibility, and loyalty programs driving the search for cheaper flights

With the increase in demand for domestic and international travel, consumers have been seeking ways to reduce spending on airfares. Interest grew upon realizing that strategies such as price monitoring, date flexibility, and the use of miles can generate significant savings.

Price Monitoring and Ideal Purchase Window

Experts suggest that searching during weekends can be advantageous. For domestic flights, the recommended period to search and finalize the purchase is 30 to 60 days before the trip; more than four months out, the price tends to be higher. For international travel, the ideal window extends to 60 to 120 days, and during peak season, it may be necessary to search more than 150 days in advance.

Date Flexibility and Price Alerts

Shifting your travel date by one or two days can considerably reduce the ticket price. Airlines typically charge less on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, while Fridays and Sundays are more expensive. Free tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Vai de Promo send alerts when the price for a route drops.

Strategic Use of Stopovers

A stopover allows passengers to stay a few days in a connecting city at no additional cost to the main fare. Examples include connections in Lisbon with TAP or in Panama with Copa Airlines, where the traveler pays the same fare as a direct flight and still gets to visit another city.

Miles Programs and Credit Cards

Accumulating points has ceased to be just a bonus and is now considered a form of saving. Users of programs like LATAM Pass, TudoAzul, Smiles, ConnectMiles, LifeMiles, Flying Blue Extra, AAdvantage, TAP Miles&Go, Livelo, Esfera, and Dotz utilize bonus transfers and combinations of miles with cash to reduce ticket prices. Many also monitor their credit card statements to maximize benefits.

Late-Night Promotions and Airfare Sales Events

Brazilian airlines often launch flash promotions between Friday night and Monday morning, or on specific holidays. In these offers, the ticket price can be very low, but it's essential to observe rules such as baggage not included, impossibility of refunds, or free rebooking.

With information from iG Turismo, Valor Investe.