How to Get a Round Trip Flight for $30

This trick will get you flights so cheap that your friends may think it’s illegal. Spoiler alert…it’s completely legit!

Over the years, there have been several “tricks” to getting the best deal on airfares: purchase tickets on Tuesdays, search in a private browser window, or clear your browser cache. The validity of these theories has been up for debates, but this trick is proven and so simple to implement that anyone can do it.

Airlines designated as Ultra Low Cost Carriers (ULCC’s) remove some of their fees when you purchase a ticket at the airport counter. The amount will vary by flight and carrier, but keep reading to see how I scored a round trip flight to Orlando, Florida, for $30.

We will use a flight I purchased with Spirit Airlines in this example. Spirit tickets include a Passenger Usage Charge (PUC) when purchased online. That fee can cost up to $23 per flight segment or $46 round trip. In this example, two round trip flights to Orlando were priced at $152 or $76 each.

When purchasing at the Spirit counter at the airport that PUC of $46 is removed, making the final price for two round trip tickets $60.04 or $30.02 per person. At this rate, it would cost more in gas to drive to Orlando. This will work in varying amounts for Frontier and Allegiant airlines as well.

Bonus: You don’t have to fly the same day you purchase the tickets. Feel free to purchase as far in advance at the counter as you’d like!

To know if the trek to the airport is worth it, you can check the savings prior to making a trip. Below is an example of PUC on a different flight. This is the charge removed when purchasing at the airport ticket counter. Additionally, be sure to look up the flight schedule for the day and time you plan to go purchase the tickets to ensure that agents will be there to assist you with your purchase. Now, it’s time to score some deals — old-school style!