Finding flight deals to Samoa can be easier than you think. You don’t need to spend hours searching dozens of websites or guessing when prices will drop. If you have the right tools and know a few tricks, you can save a lot of money on flights to this South Pacific paradise.
Book at the Right Time
The timing of your booking has a big impact on the price you pay. In general, it’s best to book your flight 2-3 months in advance for international flights. For flights to Samoa, this is about the sweet spot. Prices tend to rise as the departure date gets closer. If you’re planning to travel during Samoa’s high season (June to September or December to mid-January), it’s even more important to book early. This is when the islands see the most tourists, especially from New Zealand and Australia.
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If you’re flexible with travel dates, keep your eyes on flights during the week. Tuesday and Wednesday flights tend to be cheaper than weekend flights. Avoid booking just before or after holidays when prices spike.
Use Flight Comparison Tools
You should never rely on just one website when searching for flights. Price comparison tools can save you hours of searching. Use these to compare prices across different airlines and booking platforms:
- Google Flights: This is one of the best flight search tools. You can input your destination and check prices for the whole month, so it’s easy to see when the cheapest days are to fly. Once you find a flight, book directly with the airline for better customer service.
- Skyscanner: Skyscanner scours the web and can find special deals you might not spot elsewhere. It also offers the “Everywhere” option, which is useful if your plans are flexible and you’re just looking for the cheapest country to fly into.
- Momondo: A user-friendly, clean interface that gives you several filters to find the best flight. It’s great for finding multi-stop flights too.
Always check multiple tools. Some websites partner with specific airlines or booking agents, meaning they might show better prices than others.
Set Price Alerts
Don’t have time to check prices every day? Set a price alert. Many flight comparison websites let you track specific routes and dates.
Setting up an alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner means you’ll get notified when the price drops (or increases). This is helpful when you’re flexible but prefer to lock in a deal during a price drop.
Check Airline Websites Directly
Once you’ve used comparison tools to find the best deal, it’s still worth visiting the airline’s website to double-check the price. Sometimes, airlines run exclusive online sales that don’t appear on search engines. Booking directly with an airline can also help ensure better customer service in case there’s a problem with your booking like a cancellation or schedule change.
Popular Airlines Flying to Samoa
There are a few main airlines that fly to Samoa on a regular basis:
- Air New Zealand: One of the biggest carriers to Samoa. They offer direct flights from Auckland and connecting flights from several other cities including Sydney and Melbourne.
- Fiji Airways: If you’re flying from the Pacific islands or Australia, Fiji Airways is a popular option. They offer connections through Nadi, Fiji.
- Samoa Airways: This is the national airline of Samoa. It operates routes through New Zealand and Australia, primarily connecting through Auckland.
- Qantas: While Qantas doesn’t fly direct, they do offer codeshare flights with Samoa Airways and Air New Zealand on some routes.
Keep an eye on all of these airlines when searching for flights. Sometimes one airline will run a special promotion while the others charge regular rates.
Don’t Be Afraid of Layovers
Direct flights are definitely convenient, but they’re often more expensive. If you’re happy to add a few hours to your travel time, you can save money by choosing a flight with a layover. Common layovers for flights to Samoa include Nadi (Fiji), Auckland (New Zealand), and Sydney (Australia).
For example, flying through Nadi with Fiji Airways might mean a longer trip, but the savings can be worth it. And, as a bonus, you can even extend your layover for a day or two in Fiji to add another destination to your trip.
Consider Regional Flight Options
If you’re flying from somewhere like the US or Europe, consider getting an open-jaw ticket into a nearby country like New Zealand or Fiji and then taking a shorter regional flight to Samoa. Regional flights are often much cheaper. You’ll also get a chance to explore another nearby country as part of your trip.
Several small carriers operate budget-friendly routes out of New Zealand and Australia into the Pacific islands, including Samoa. Flights from Auckland to Apia are especially frequent and competitively priced.
Be Flexible with Airport Choices
Samoa has two main airports: Faleolo International Airport (APW) and Maota Airport (MXS). Most international flights arrive at Faleolo, especially from destinations like New Zealand and Australia. If you’re flying domestically or regionally, Maota Airport on the island of Savai’i can sometimes be a better option, with smaller planes offering cheaper last-minute fares.
When booking, see if flying into a neighboring island or even to another South Pacific hub could save you money. You can then take a local carrier or ferry to Samoa. While this requires a bit more planning, it can potentially save you quite a bit, especially with flexible travel dates.
Join Airline Loyalty Programs
You don’t have to be a frequent flier to take advantage of airline loyalty programs. Even for just one trip, it’s worth joining the program so you can collect points. Many airlines flying to Samoa, like Air New Zealand or Fiji Airways, belong to major airline alliances like Star Alliance. This means that points you earn from one trip can be used across airlines in the same alliance for future discounts or upgrades.
Also, many airlines have frequent sales or deals available to loyalty program members. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up, and these programs are often the first to send out special discounts or promo codes to their members.
Look Out for Mistake Fares
Mistake fares are when airlines publish extremely low ticket prices by accident. These fares get snapped up quickly, but if you catch one, it can be a steal. Websites like Secret Flying and Airfarewatchdog specifically track and post mistake fares.
If you see a mistake fare to Samoa, don’t hesitate. Book it immediately. You’ll often need to act fast before the airline corrects the price error.
Use Frequent Flier Miles or Points
If you have any frequent flyer miles saved up, flying to Samoa is an excellent time to use them. Flights to the South Pacific, especially during peak season, can be pricey, so redeeming points can save you hundreds of dollars.
If you don’t have enough miles for a free flight, consider using your points to at least upgrade your ticket or reduce baggage fees, which can be high for long-haul flights.
Clear Your Cookies and Search in Incognito Mode
It’s a common trick, but it works: when searching for flights, always clear your browser cookies or search in incognito mode. Some flight search websites track what routes you’re looking at and bump up prices as soon as they know you’re interested. Avoid this by switching to incognito mode or clearing cookies, then look for flights again.
Be Ready to Book Quickly
Good flight deals don’t last long. Once you find a price you’re happy with, jump on it before it disappears. Fare prices fluctuate quickly. If you wait even a day, you may miss the deal and have to pay hundreds more.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let expensive flights stop you from visiting Samoa. Use these tips to find cheap flights, and you’ll be relaxing on Samoan beaches before you know it! Remember, being flexible with dates, using the right flight comparison tools, and booking at the right time are key to getting the best deals.
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