Learning From Literature

Take More Vacations by Scott Keyes

Take More Vacations by Scott Keyes

Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World by Scott Keyes is a travel book published in 2021.

In 2013, fresh out of college and earning just $34,000 a year, Scott Keyes scored a round-trip flight from New York to Milan for just $130 — a ticket that normally cost $850. That deal kicked off a series of jaw-dropping finds: Belgium for $225, Vietnam with miles, even a free business-class ticket to the Dominican Republic. Friends didn’t believe it was real. But it was — and it all started with cheap flights.

Scott’s book aims to fix the broken way most of us plan travel. He shows that airfare isn’t random — it’s just misunderstood. With the right strategies, a single trip’s budget can stretch into three or four. That’s why he started Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going), with over 2 million subscribers scoring deals like $100 to Iceland or $177 to Hawaii. The question isn’t “Can I afford it?” — it’s “Where do I want to go?”

Purchase the book by clicking this link!

Enjoy!

Table of Contents

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The Curse Of Expensive Flights 
  • Travel is the most common #1 aspiration, yet Americans take fewer vacations than ever
    • 1 billion vacation days went unused last year in the U.S.
    • Main stressor = logistics
  • Once you learn the system, it becomes empowering
    • Cheap flights ease stress
    • Italy for $130 or Japan for $169 is less stressful than paying $1,300
  • Common airfare mental traps:
    • Loss Aversion: Panic when prices rise, rush to book
    • Anchoring: Think today’s price is high if you once paid less
    • Recency Bias: Assume recent prices are the norm
    • Sunk Cost Fallacy: Feel committed once you plan
    • Wishful Thinking / Procrastination: Delay and miss deals
  • Most expensive flights can be avoided with smart strategies – except last-minute emergencies
Travel As Medicine
  • Travelers are happier, healthier, and more productive than non-travelers
    • 93% of travelers feel happier post-vacation
    • Experiential spending (vacations, memories) boosts happiness more than material purchases
    • Excitement continues when you return, breaking the monotony of daily life
  • Cheap Flights:
    • More affordable flights = more frequent travel and extra money for memorable experiences
    • Cheap flights make vacations feel joyful, while expensive flights feel burdensome
    • Imagine Thailand for $560 vs. $5,000 — cheaper flights change the experience
  • How Most People Plan a Trip (Destination First):
    • Pick a destination
    • Choose dates
    • Check flights
  • Flight First Method (for Cheap Flights):
    • Start by finding the cheapest flights
    • Choose a destination based on affordable options
    • Pick travel dates based on cheap flight availability
  • Why Flight First Works:
    • Imagine all flights cost $250 roundtrip – it lowers the barrier to travel
    • Narrowing your choices is like aiming for a small target – the odds are low
    • Expanding your options increases the chances of finding affordable flights
Flexibility
  • Flexibility = Key to Cheap Flights
    • Where to Fly and When to Go are crucial
  • Goldilocks Windows:
    • Domestic Flights:
      • 1-3 months before off-peak season.
      • 3-7 months before peak season.
    • International Flights:
      • 2-8 months before off-peak season.
      • 4-10 months before peak season.
    • Early or last-minute flights tend to be inflated
  • Hotcakes Principle: Great fares disappear quickly—don’t wait too long
  • Other Strategies:
    • If inflexible, prioritize booking early and monitoring prices
    • For fixed plans, book Southwest for free cancellations and rebooking options
    • Try shifting travel dates or airports to find better deals
A History of Airline Prices
  • 1920s – 1940s
    • Focus was on mail, not passengers, as air travel’s primary revenue source
  • 1950s – 1970s
    • Air travel became more mainstream with advancements like pressurized cabins and toilets
    • Introduction of multiple fare types: higher prices for convenient flights and lower fares for less convenient ones
  • 1978 – Deregulation
    • Airline industry deregulation led to a significant drop in prices
    • Airlines gained freedom to set their own rates
  • 1980s – Present
    • Rise of budget carriers and diversified revenue streams (e.g., premium seats, cargo, add-on fees)
    • Corporate contracts and business travelers now heavily subsidize economy fares
The Golden Age of Cheap Flights
  • Airfare Costs Have Dropped Significantly
    • Since deregulation, prices have fallen 50% (adjusted for inflation)
    • Average domestic roundtrip dropped from $638 in 1981 to $367 in 2016.
  • Perception vs Reality
    • People overpay for flights and assume they’re expensive, while other costs like prescription drugs, Disney passes, and college tuition have risen much more
Why Airfare Is So Volatile 
  • Key Pricing Drivers:
    • Autopilot Pricing: Less inventory = higher prices
    • Consumer Demand: Fluctuates unexpectedly
    • Competition: Affects pricing
  • Avoid business traveler trends (book in advance, stay longer, choose connecting flights)
The Fundamentals
  • Booking Options:
    • Directly Through Airlines: Immediate ticket, 24-hour refund policy (US flights), easier to alter itinerary
    • Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Multiple carriers, convenience, but often higher fees
    • Flight Search Engines (FSEs): Shows prices, doesn’t book
    • Southwest: Not listed on FSEs
  • Avoiding Fees:
    • Bag Fees: Use credit cards for free checked bags or don’t check bags
    • Seat Selection Fees: Check in early or ask to switch
    • Cancellation/Change Fees: Use 24-hour rule or call for schedule changes
Nine Flight-Booking Myths Debunked
  • Myth: Clear Your Cookies 
  • Myth: The Cheapest Fares Are On Tuesday At 1
  • Myth: The Cheapest Fares Are On August 23rd
  • Myth: Flights Are Only Cheap Because Of Coronavirus 
  • Myth: The Cheapest Fares Are Last Minute
  • Myth: Dressing Nicely Will Get You An Upgrade
  • Myth: Wait For Advertised Sales
  • Myth: One Airline Is Always The Cheapest 
  • Myth: Flying Was Better Back In The Day
    • 1948 NYC to Rome → $9,000 (inflation-adjusted), 20-hour flight
    • Today → As low as $248, 8-hour flight with modern amenities
How To Get Better At Vacationing
  • The more you travel, the better you become at it, leading to greater enjoyment
    • Frequent travelers better understand what they like or dislike, allowing them to plan trips that suit them best
    • Travel preferences evolve over time
  • Regrets often come from not taking risks, not from bad experiences
  • Anticipating a trip brings happiness even before, and memories provide long-lasting joy
  • Happiness is influenced by the most vivid moments of a trip, not by the average feelings
Pro Tips
  • Greek Islands Trick: Book a cheap flight to a major city then take a budget hop to your destination. Stagger your itinerary for flexibility.
  • Bookend Technique: Buy outbound and return flights from different cities to save on travel costs (e.g., fly into Hong Kong, leave from Seoul).
  • 24-Hour Rule: Secure a great fare with no cancellation fees for 24 hours, allowing you to rebook if a better deal appears.
  • Mistake Fare: Airlines accidentally sell flights at extremely low prices. Act quickly as they usually last under 6 hours.
  • Hidden City Ticketing: Book a longer connecting flight and skip the last leg to save on costs. Don’t check bags and don’t do it repeatedly.
  • Thanksgiving Travel: Flights are expensive domestically, but international trips may be cheaper (e.g., Dallas to Rome for $300).
  • Points & Frequent Flyer Miles

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