Finding cheap flights to Palau can feel challenging, but it’s not impossible. With the right strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare. Here are my top tips for finding the best flight deals to Palau.
1. Book at the Right Time
Timing your booking can make all the difference when it comes to price. Flight prices fluctuate based on demand, and tickets are usually more expensive closer to the departure date. Try to book your tickets 2-3 months in advance for international flights like those heading to Palau.
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If you can be flexible with your dates, try to avoid booking tickets for peak holiday seasons like Christmas or New Year’s. Flight prices tend to spike during these times. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheaper days to fly, and flights at less convenient times (like early mornings or late evenings) are often more affordable.
2. Use Flight Comparison Tools
There are a ton of flight comparison websites out there, and it’s a good idea to use more than one. Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak are some of the best ones for comparing airfare across multiple airlines and booking platforms.
When you search, make sure to compare flights over a range of dates so you can see if there’s a big price difference based on the day. These tools let you see a full month’s worth of prices at once. If your travel dates are flexible, you can shift your trip by a day or two to get a much better deal.
3. Set Price Alerts
If you’re not ready to book right away, set price alerts. Both Skyscanner and Google Flights allow you to track your preferred flights. You’ll get an email whenever there is a price drop, letting you know when it’s the best time to book.
This way, you don’t need to constantly check flight prices. The site will notify you if there’s a significant drop in fare. This is an easy way to score deals without constantly searching.
4. Consider Alternative Airports
When flying to Palau, most travelers land at Palau International Airport (Roman Tmetuchl International Airport – ROR). However, if you can’t find any good deals flying directly to Palau, consider flying into a nearby country like the Philippines, Taiwan, or Guam, and then booking a regional flight from there to Palau.
Flights from regional hubs like Manila, Taipei, or Guam are often cheaper than direct flights from the U.S., Europe, or other long-haul destinations. You’ll find options to book these regional flights directly through Air Niugini or United Airlines, both of which offer regular flights to Palau.
5. Be Flexible with Layovers
Direct flights are always more convenient, but they’re usually more expensive too. If you don’t mind a longer trip, choosing a flight with one or two layovers can save you some serious cash. Furthermore, flights with layovers in countries with lower airport taxes are often cheaper.
If you can, choose layovers that give you enough time to get some rest or explore the city you’re stopping in. Look into “stopover programs” which allow you to stay for a day or two in the layover city, often at no extra cost. This can turn a long journey into an opportunity for a mini trip.
6. Know the Airlines to Palau
Not every airline flies to Palau, so knowing which airlines you should be searching for will help. United Airlines is one of the main carriers flying into Palau, offering routes from various connecting U.S. cities and destinations in Asia. There are also flights via Asiana Airlines (through Seoul), Philippine Airlines (through Manila), and China Airlines, which offers connections through Taipei.
These carrier routes mean that you can look into Manila, Seoul, and Taipei as potential layover cities to score cheaper fares to Palau or to shorten flight time.
7. Check Local and Regional Airlines
Besides the big international airlines, it’s worth checking smaller or lesser-known regional airlines. For example, Palau Asia Pacific Air is the national airline of Palau and may offer seasonal or direct flights that aren’t heavily indexed on bigger search engines.
Regional airlines often have good last-minute deals, so if it happens that larger airlines are too expensive, try checking airlines based in nearby countries like Cebu Pacific (Philippines) or Jeju Air (South Korea).
8. Use Points and Miles
If you have any frequent flyer miles or points from credit card rewards, this could be a great time to use them. Flights to and from Palau are known to be expensive, but many airlines allow you to book reward flights using miles or points.
Make sure to check your frequent flyer accounts or credit card rewards programs to see if you have enough to cover your trip, or at least offset the cost of a ticket. In some cases, even partially paying with points can make a big difference.
9. Search in Incognito Mode
When searching for flights, airlines and travel websites may use cookies to track your activity and bump up prices if they see that you’ve repeatedly searched for the same route. To avoid this, always search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies every so often.
This might sound like an old trick, but many travelers swear by it. It’s worth giving it a try if you’re noticing that a flight price keeps creeping up each time you refresh a page.
10. Play Around with Booking Platforms
Sometimes, booking your flight through the airline’s own website can be cheaper, but third-party travel websites like Expedia or Booking.com often offer their own discounted rates. Always compare prices across multiple platforms so you can get the best deal.
In some cases, booking one leg of your trip on one website and the return on another can save you money. It takes more time but could lead to significant savings.
11. Don’t Wait Too Long to Book
Although it’s tempting to hold out for the “perfect” deal, waiting too long to book your flight can lead to missing out on lower prices. If you find a price within your budget after checking multiple sources, it’s usually better to book rather than gamble on the price going lower later.
Flight prices are unpredictable. If you think you’ve found a good fare, it might be best to book sooner rather than later.
12. Consider Flight Deals and Discounts
Occasionally, airlines will offer promotions or sales for specific routes. United Airlines, for example, sometimes offers promotional fares heading to the Pacific islands. Keep an eye on their newsletters or social media channels for special deals.
Some travel deal websites, like Secret Flying or The Flight Deal, also post “error fares” and last-minute flight promotions. These deals don’t last long, so if you see one for Palau, jump on it!
13. Don’t Neglect Budget Airlines
Budget airlines often have hidden fees, but they can offer great deals if you don’t mind no-frills travel. While it won’t be luxurious, flying budget might leave you with more spending money for diving or exploring Palau’s incredible Jellyfish Lake!
Be mindful of what’s included with your airfare when flying with budget airlines. Factor in the cost of baggage and meals when weighing it against full-service airline ticket prices.
Final Thoughts
Getting a great deal on a flight to Palau takes a bit of research, but by using flight comparison tools, setting up alerts, and being flexible with airports and dates, it’s possible to save a lot of money. And when you finally arrive, the pristine waters, lush forests, and rich ecosystems will make all your efforts worth it!
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