How to Find Cheap Airfare for a Missionary Trip

Missionary trips are journeys taken to meet various needs of people in the travel destination, but often change the life of those who experience them. While missionary trips may be partially or wholly funded by the missionary's church or other supporters, airfare to a far off land can be quite costly and expend a great deal of these resources. Rather than letting the potential cost dissuade you from the benefits of a life altering mission trip, consider a variety of ways to find cheaper airfare.

Shop Early

While you may hear about people getting great deals by waiting until the last minute, this is especially risky when you have a specific destination and time frame. To find the cheapest airfare, you should begin looking at rates and airlines at least six weeks to two months prior to your missionary trip. This will allow you sufficient time to shop all the different airlines and will let you garner the best rates.

Be Flexible

Be as flexible as possible. While you obviously cannot bend when it comes to your missionary trip destination, be as adjustable as you can when it comes to the times and dates of your flights. You are more likely to find cheap airfare for midweek flights than those leaving on weekends. Likewise, if you are willing to fly out very early in the morning, you might find the cheapest airfare.

Find a Consolidator

Contact an air travel consolidator. These professionals deal with airlines in order to purchase unsold seats in large volumes at a lower rate. Flight consolidators then resell these seats at a rate that is much cheaper than standard airfare. You may be able to find an air travel consolidator online with flights heading to your missionary trip destination. Otherwise, contact a local travel agency to see if they can put you in touch with a consolidator.

Charge It

Use credit cards that give you frequent flyer miles for every dollar you spend. Don't go into debt with such a card, though. Simply use the card for the monthly purchases you typically make using cash or checks, such as your housing, car payments and groceries. Keep the money you would spend on these items in the bank and then pay the balance in full every month. You might also want to ask those who support your missionary trip if they have frequent flyer miles they would be willing to donate to you.

Shop Around

Shop around with popular discount travel websites. Travel sites and agencies may charge you booking fees and other extra expenses, so be sure to factor these costs in as well. Then, visit the websites of each airline that flies to your missionary trip destination, or contact them by phone. You may save money by contacting the airline directly.