A financial adviser and popular podcast host has unveiled a clever online booking strategy that could lead to substantial savings on airfare, a tip that feels slightly 'dodgy' but is reportedly completely legal.
The Secret to Cheaper Flights
Victoria Devine, host of the 'She's On The Money' podcast and a finance author, explained to her co-host Bec Syed that airlines don't price tickets based solely on distance. Instead, they adjust fares depending on where the purchase is made.
'Airlines don't just price flights because of the distance, they actually price them by where you buy,' Victoria elaborated during the podcast episode. She revealed that the secret to unlocking these savings is altering the 'point of sale country' during the online booking process.
'So sometimes the exact seat costs literally hundreds of dollars less if you book it on the airline's destination country website in their local currency,' she said.
How the Booking Trick Works
The key to executing this money-saving manoeuvre is using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. This secure, private internet connection can bypass geographic restrictions and mask your actual location, making it appear as if you are booking from another country.
The video segment explaining the hack, which was shared on TikTok, earned over 5,000 likes and 2,500 shares, indicating significant interest from the travelling public.
Many viewers were stunned and grateful for the advice. 'This is great,' replied one mortgage broker, while a frequent traveller commented, 'This is so interesting.'
Some commenters provided further detail, explaining that you should 'use a VPN and choose the destination country as your country of origin.' One person gave a specific example: 'For example, if you're flying to Vietnam, use a VPN for Vietnam, then go to the Vietnamese website and book in dong. It's cheaper, as it's expected that locals with a lower average net worth will book this.'
Reactions and Important Caveats
While many were excited by the potential savings, the discussion also revealed some important warnings and alternative methods.
Some travellers confirmed the hack's effectiveness, with one noting that having someone in the destination country book for you is an even better workaround. 'My dad lives in Vietnam and I get him to book my flights over there because it's cheaper on his end!' one traveller explained.
Others pointed out that this savings strategy isn't limited to flights. One commenter claimed that cruise lines similarly hike prices based on booking location, asserting that 'Australians often pay over 10 per cent more than the UK.' Another added, 'It's the same for car hire!'
However, not everyone was convinced. Several comments expressed concern about potential pitfalls. 'You have to be so careful reading the fare rules when doing this,' one person cautioned. 'The rules for each fare are different and are based on the point of origin. You'd get caught out if you ever need to cancel or reschedule, and it's more hassle than it's worth.'
Another warned that airlines might catch on and charge you the fare difference when you check in for your flight. Some reported that their attempts to use a VPN were unsuccessful, either resulting in rejected bookings or no visible price reduction.
Adding a dose of scepticism, a man claiming to work for a major airline insisted the entire concept was a fallacy, stating that airlines 'don't change prices by location.'
Despite the debate, the tip from Victoria Devine has sparked a major conversation among cost-conscious travellers looking for legitimate ways to reduce their travel expenses.
