Guide to Finding Flight Deals!

Hey loves!

Fresh off a recent trip to Bali, Indonesia (location post coming soon), I wanted to share some of the online hiding places I use to find flight deals when traveling. Despite the obvious growth and popularity of travel, there is still the perception that booking flights has to be be expensive. It really doesn't. Travel can and should be accessible to everyone!

What many won't tell you? Is that there are entire online communities and "travel hackers" scouring travel sites looking for deals on airfare .. Or even better? Looking for those magical moments when airline companies experience a website error on the booking portion of their site (called "glitches") and tickets that would usually cost thousands of dollars end up costing just a few hundred ... Like the time, I bagged a Middle East flight glitch. I ended up purchasing a round trip, non-stop flight from NYC directly to Abu Dhabi, UAE for only $177. Yes, you read that right. The cost of the flight after the airline (Etihad) finally caught and fixed it's mistake? ... $2k easily.

That said? Here is a list of my fave deal spotting sites from across the web and social media. Happy traveling everyone! 

Google Flights

My first go-to in finding flight deals? Google flights. Simply enter your starting location and destination. Then? Use the calendar portion of this site to view flight prices as far as 6 months to a year in advance. Who knows, there may be a surprise glitch waiting for you the further out on the calendar you go! .. Or at the very least a really great deal.

Airfare Watchdog

Another great tip? Follow deal sites on social media. When these online communities find great deals, they often post them like Easter eggs for loyal followers to find. Airfare Watchdog is a definate fave. 

The Flight Deal

Another favorite travel deal page on social media? The Flight Deal. Their site TheFlightDeal.com is equally great, as they post travel deals which can be filtered by your home city. 

Momondo

Similar to more commonly known Priceline.com or Expedia.com (both are also great for booking the deals you find), Momondo is another lesser known site that allows users to input their departure and arrival locations to dig up cheap flights buried around the web.

Nomadness Travel Tribe

Looking to connect with hardcore travelers? Join an active travel community who has deal hunting in their blood. When you have a moment? Hop on Facebook and join the Nomadness Travel Tribe. Members of this diverse group have not only traveled to nearly every country / location you can imagine (including Antarctica), but if a glitch fare hits the web? ... They're the 1st ones to know and booking deets spreads like wildfire! Don't be left on the outside looking in! ... Just remember, book now and ask questions later.

And while I'm here, NEVER call an airline company to confirm a price or ask if your "glitch ticket" will be honored. If the airline decides to cancel the flight, they will contact and refund you automatically. The only thing your call / email / social medial DM will do is alert them to a glitch .. No one like a flight snitch, LOL!

Join Travel Trees

Remember how I said there's a large community hunting flight deals online? Well there's an equally extensive "travel tree" community secretly posting flight deals 'round the clock on communication apps like Whatsapp. How does it work? ... First off? Membership is strictly invite only. Like they say, it's all in who you know. Then as each member finds an amazing flight deal online? They post and share it with a larger group. As you can imagine, the amount of flight, hotel, and transportation deals that are shared in just one a day is insane. Looking to join? ... One tip I can give? Join and become active in these online Facebook groups. I might have already mentioned one ; )

Go Incognito

Last and final tip? A few savvy travel hunters may have already heard that certain days of the week are better than others when looking for flights online. But did you know the tracking cookies on your computer could influence the price results you generate? According to a few business / travel related sites including The Business Insider, repeated actions, like searching numerous flight booking sites over time can result in higher prices. Solve the problem by clearing your computer's tracking cookies and searching online with "in incognito mode." Not sure how to do that? Tap here to get more info on going incognito

There you have it. Just a small few to the ways people are trekking around the globe for way less that you think! Have a secret nook on the internet where you find amazing deals on flights? Comment below and let me know!

As always, until next time ... The Journey Continues!

Share the Journey!

My Royal Family

Hey Loves!

Like most, I like to ease into my week, but this Monday? I'm all excitement! By now you've probably seen my weekly posts highlighting various indigenous global tribes in my Cultural Beauties" series. This week? I am so proud the share with everyone a part of my Ghanaian heritage and tribe that I rarely (if ever) discuss.

When most think of Ghana, they most often associate the country with elaborate kente cloth designs and dope sense of style ...

via Afroelle Magazine-  https://goo.gl/bmIkS7

via Yaromir Mlynski (photographer) -  www.Yaromir.com

Our love of tradition, ceremony, celebration, and dance ...

via Trip Down Memory Lane - http://goo.gl/QXgSoa

.. and elaborate and ornate gold jewelry

via Awale Studio - https://goo.gl/74B7He

... And while all very true, there is so much more to Ghanaian culture.

My Personal Story

By name, I was born Angela. However as with tribal Ashanti  tribal tradition, I was given the name "Adwoa" ... Meaning girl child born on a Monday ... Daughter of the Moon Goddess Adwo ... Hence the name of the this media hub and the webstore ; )

Growing up in the U.S as the child of a Ghanaian parent (my maternal side is from the Caribbean) there is always this balancing act of cultures that often occurs. Living in one country, while being raised with the values, traditions, and expectation from another. My fellow 1st generation kids can certainly attest to this. However, in my case, my experience has been slightly different. I'm beyond proud of my heritage, so upon meeting me, many soon learn of my cultural makeup. What many rarely find out is my royal family connection as my father is a Ghanaian chief ... Thus making me a princess. Yes, an actual princess! LOL. In a world where "the royals" immediately conjure up images of the Queen of England and her family .. Where many use "kings / queens" as a general sign of brother/sisterhood within the diaspora ... It is a very unique and special feeling to actually be part of a royal family. This is especially the case when in America, the only connection to royalty are the images of "camelot" and John F. Kennedy era Norman Rockwell paintings ... A country where black faces are inherently never equated with the prestige and elevation of a royal family. Again, it has certainly been an unique experience.

The interview (audio)

My dad dressed in traditional red & black presiding over a funeral in Ghana. Grandmother directly over his left shoulder

As early as I can remember, my dad was certain to make sure that I knew this part of my family history. He was also sure to tell me to be mindful of who I tell as, "people in America won't understand." That in mind, I'm so happy that my dad was open and willing to sit for a quick interview, to talk about his role as chief while proudly sharing a bit of our culture with the world. Below is our conversation. I hope you enjoy!

Photograph of my father receiving a royal welcome at the beginning of the ceremony 

Any comments or questions for my dad or I about our convo, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below! Thanks as always! 

Share the Journey!