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Want cheap flights without the chase? Learn how to set fare alerts using Google Flights and Skyscanner in just a few clicks. Get deals delivered, skip the stress, and don’t forget Oona Travel Insurance to keep your trip worry-free.
Ever booked a flight only to see the price drop days later? Ouch. Alam mo na the pain. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to keep stalking airline websites just to score cheap flights. With fare alerts, you can let the best deals come to you.
Fare tracking tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to monitor airfare and get notified the moment prices drop—so you can book smart, not desperate. According to The Sun UK, travelers who use fare alerts save an average of ₱6,000 to ₱10,000 per international flight. That’s real money you can spend on experiences, not just airfare.
In this travel-savvy guide, we’ll show you how to set up fare alerts step by step, maximize your travel budget, and travel with confidence. Because yes, booking early and scoring sulit deals is great—but pairing that bargain ticket with Oona Travel Insurance means your savings stay protected, no matter what happens along the way.
So paano nga ba gumagana ang fare alerts? Let’s dive in and find out why they’re every budget-conscious traveler’s secret weapon for stress-free, affordable adventures.
Fare alerts are your secret weapon for scoring cheap airfare—without the stress of checking flight prices every hour. These are automated notifications (via email or app) that tell you when the price of a flight route drops or spikes, so you can jump in at just the right time.
Airfare can change daily—even hourly—because of multiple factors, including:
Seat inventory (how many discounted seats are left)
Demand from other travelers
Booking activity on related routes
External factors like oil prices, holidays, or major events
Instead of manually refreshing flight sites (and risking missing out), fare alerts keep watch for you. The moment a price drops within your preferred route and date range, you get notified—giving you the chance to book before the best seats disappear.
Manual checking is hit or miss. Flash promos can disappear in hours, and prices can rise just as fast. Fare alerts give you a head start—before prices spike or seats sell out.
Example Timeline:
Day 1: You spot a flight for ₱12,000
Day 7: It drops to ₱9,200 → you get an alert
Day 10: It jumps to ₱13,000 and cheap seats are gone
With fare alerts, you skip the guessing game and stay ahead of sudden price changes.
So now that you know what fare alerts are and why they work, let’s move to the how. Here’s your step-by-step guide to setting them up, para hindi ka maiwan sa seat sale ever again.
Ready to let the best flight deals come to you? Setting up a fare alert is quick, easy, and totally free. Here's your step-by-step guide using top travel platforms trusted by savvy flyers:
One of the fastest and most user-friendly tools to track airfare.
Go to Google Flights.
Enter your departure and destination cities (e.g., MNL → ICN) and travel dates—or select “Flexible Dates” for more options.
Toggle “Track Prices.”
Google will send you email alerts when fares drop or rise.
Use the Date Grid or Price Graph to spot the cheapest travel days at a glance.
Why it works: Google Flights is fast, accurate, and easy to manage. You can pause or delete tracking anytime.
A solid tool for spotting budget airline promos.
Visit Skyscanner Philippines.
Search your flight, then click “Get Price Alerts” (requires account).
Choose weekly or immediate alerts.
Manage alerts under your profile anytime.
Bonus: Skyscanner often includes fares from low-cost carriers not listed on other sites.
Looking to go beyond the basics? These tools offer added features and unique tracking styles:
KAYAK: Set alerts and get guidance like “wait” or “buy now” based on fare predictions.
Hopper: App-based and smart—uses data to forecast when to book or wait.
Airfare Watchdog: Known for catching rare but amazing mistake fares (a.k.a. jackpot deals).
Example Scenario:
Maria, a budget-savvy traveler, set an alert for MNL → BKK two months ahead. One morning, she got a ping—fares had dropped to ₱4,500. She booked right away and saved ₱3,000+ compared to the usual rates.
Pro Tip: Setting fare alerts is just the start. To unlock the best deals, keep reading for next-level hacks that can stretch your travel budget even further—no stress, no guesswork.
Setting a fare alert is a great first step—but to unlock maximum savings on flights, you’ll want to take things a bit further. These expert-backed travel hacks will help you make the most out of every alert.
Tip |
Why It Works |
|---|---|
Use flexible dates |
A wider travel window means more chances to catch cheaper fare combinations—especially mid-week or off-peak. |
Include nearby airports |
Consider flying from or into Clark, Cebu, or Kalibo—they can be significantly cheaper than Manila (MNL), especially for international routes. |
Set alerts early |
For international flights, 2–3 months ahead |
Combine multiple platforms |
Use Google Flights for trends, Skyscanner for deals, and Hopper for mobile alerts and predictive fare insights. |
Browse in incognito mode |
While debated, incognito browsing may help avoid price inflation based on your search history or cookies. |
Stack your savings |
Combine fare alerts with airline promos, credit card discounts, and loyalty programs for layered savings. |
Include budget carriers |
Airlines like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and Scoot offer low fares that may not show up on all platforms—check their sites directly or use platforms that include them. |
Still asking “Sulit ba talaga ang fare alerts?”
Let’s move on to actual sample fares and real-world scenarios so you can see the kind of savings you can score just by tracking smart.
Fare alerts aren’t just about convenience—they lead to real, tangible savings. The money you save can easily cover your travel insurance, in-flight meals, or even a full day of tours or local shopping.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison showing how smart tracking stacks up against last-minute bookings:
A. Booking Method Comparison
Booking Style |
Fare (Return) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
Walk-in/Manual Booking |
₱19,000 |
Booked 2 weeks before departure, no alerts used |
Alert-Based Booking |
₱12,500 |
Tracked via fare alerts 2 months ahead |
Savings |
₱6,500 |
Enough to pay for Oona Travel Insurance, airport meals, and a local tour |
Disclaimer: Fares shown are simulated for illustrative purposes only, based on typical trends across major booking platforms.
Bottom Line: That ₱6,500 difference could go toward protecting your trip, upgrading your stay, or simply enjoying more during your getaway. This is why budget-conscious travelers swear by fare alerts as one of the best travel booking hacks out there.
B. Route-Based Fare Comparison
Route |
Walk-in Fare |
Alert Fare |
Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
MNL–SIN |
₱11,000 |
₱7,500 |
₱3,500 |
MNL–HND |
₱19,000 |
₱13,300 |
₱5,700 |
CEB–KUL |
₱8,000 |
₱5,500 |
₱2,500 |
Disclaimer: Fares are simulated for illustration. Actual prices vary based on travel date, demand, season, and airline.
What these savings mean for you:
With the money you save by booking early via fare alerts, you could easily:
Pay for Oona Travel Insurance to protect your trip
Grab meals and essentials at the airport
Add a night to your hotel stay
Book an extra city tour or attraction pass
These aren’t small wins—they’re proof that fare alerts = smart, strategic travel.
Now that you’ve seen what’s possible with the right tools and timing, let’s talk about the flipside. Here are common mistakes that can stop your fare alerts from working—and how to avoid them.
Fare alerts can help you snag cheap flights—but only if you use them wisely. Here are some common slip-ups that travelers make, plus quick fixes to make sure you’re getting the most out of your alerts:
Mistake |
Why It’s a Problem |
What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
Using overly narrow filters |
You might miss cheaper fares on 1-stop flights or “no frills” tickets without baggage. |
Loosen filters from time to time to uncover hidden deals.ngs |
Ignoring budget carriers |
Fare tools don’t always include airlines like Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, or Scoot. |
Check these low-cost carriers directly on their websites. |
Tracking only one route |
You might miss better deals via nearby airports like Clark or Cebu. |
Add alerts for alternate routes to expand your options. |
Not managing your alerts |
Alerts continue even after booking—cluttering your inbox and creating confusion. |
Pause, update, or cancel alerts once you’ve secured a fare. |
Disclaimer: This advice is based on typical user behavior and platform features. Actual fares and alert performance may vary depending on airline participation, route availability, and device/browser settings.
Even if you’ve scored a killer seat sale, remember—mura doesn’t always mean stress-free. Delays, cancellations, and lost baggage still happen. That’s why it’s always a smart move to back up your booking with Oona Travel Insurance—so your hard-earned savings stay protected, whatever comes your way.
Scored an awesome flight deal? That’s a win!
But what if...
Your flight gets delayed?
Your baggage goes missing?
You get sick while abroad?
These things happen more often than you think. In fact, 1 in 6 travelers deal with baggage issues alone. And flight delays, trip cancellations, or medical emergencies can end up costing more than your plane ticket—and turn a dream trip into a financial nightmare.
That’s where Oona Travel Insurance comes in. For as little as ₱100 per day, you get coverage that protects both your plans and your pocket.
Flight delays, missed connections, and cancellations
Lost, delayed, or stolen baggage
Overseas medical emergencies, including hospital care
Trip interruptions due to weather, illness, or other unexpected events
Let’s say you booked a promo fare for ₱6,500.
Add Oona Travel Insurance for just ₱330, and your total comes to ₱6,830.
That extra ₱330?
It gives you peace of mind, protection, and a smoother travel experience—because sulit travel isn’t just about saving money; it’s about avoiding expensive surprises.
Affordable is great. Stress-free is better.
Now that your flight is locked in and your trip is covered, let’s make sure you’re truly ready to go.
Up next: Your final pre-trip checklist for a smooth and confident takeoff.
Before you head to the airport, here’s a final rundown to make sure you’ve covered all your smart travel essentials—from booking to boarding:
Fare alerts set on Google Flights and Skyscanner
You’re no longer guessing—you’re tracking prices like a pro.
Flexible dates and alternate routes considered
You gave yourself options—and that flexibility led to real savings.
Fare drop spotted—ticket booked at the best rate
You locked it in before prices jumped. Good move!
Oona Travel Insurance added for protection
Peace of mind for just a few pesos a day? Always worth it.
Final prep complete:
• Itinerary organized
• Travel documents ready
• Visa confirmed (if required)
With all the right steps in place—from smart fare tracking to solid travel protection—you’re not just ready to travel. You’re ready to travel better.
No panic. No overpaying. No what-ifs.
Travel smart. Travel safe. Travel with Oona.
Because sulit travel isn't just about spending less—it's about preparing well and enjoying more.
Scoring a cheap flight? That’s a win.
But real peace of mind comes when you’ve covered the full journey—not just the fare, but the “what-ifs” too. With fare alerts, you save money upfront by booking at the right time.
With Oona Travel Insurance, you protect your trip when things don’t go according to plan—whether that’s a delayed flight, lost luggage, or an unexpected medical emergency abroad.
Because no matter how well you plan, travel can be unpredictable. That’s why smart travelers don’t just chase cheap flights—they plan for peace of mind, too.
Save wisely. Protect smartly. Travel confidently. Make sure Oona Travel Insurance is part of your checklist before you take off.
Get covered with Oona Travel Insurance today and enjoy the journey, worry-free.
