21 Travel Hacks Only Frequent Flyers Know (and You Should Too)

5. Choose New-Route Incentives

Airlines regularly unveil new routes or destinations, and to lure travelers, they often introduce promotional fares or bonus miles. Keep tabs on airline press releases and route-expansion announcements—social media and aviation news sites are good sources. When a carrier debuts a flight path, there’s typically a short window offering greatly reduced ticket prices or perks like double miles or free baggage. Early adopters benefit from these enticements, snagging seats at a fraction of the usual cost. Travel forums also erupt with excitement whenever new routes launch, so reading them can alert you to time-sensitive deals. Additionally, smaller airports or lesser-known airline operators may employ “new-route specials” to encourage travelers to try out their services. Jumping on these fresh routes can feel like playing airfare roulette—only the odds are in your favor. The result? A novel travel experience at a surprisingly low fare, plus potential loyalty rewards for booking early.