Hey there, JFC-ers,

I must admit, my algorithm knows me pretty well by now. I open Instagram; travel posts and reels. I open my email inbox; travel newsletters, travel deals, travel competitions. I open my Google News feed; travel articles. I just can't escape — not that I'd want to.

One of the most typical topics that comes up in those reels, posts, articles, etc. is travel hacks. I'm talking about the latest hack for avoiding baggage fees, the new solution to snagging the best seat, the fastest way to get through airport security. And honestly, most of them tend to be either utter nonsense or blindingly obvious. Yes, the fastest way to get through airport security probably is by sorting your liquids in advance and buying fast track, how did you know?!

The other day, I got a message from former Head Flight Finder Tristan thanking me for my tip of using a duty free carrier bag to bring overflow hand luggage onboard (note: some airlines may be stricter than others here).

Since then, I've seen an article touting lettuce as a magical parenting flight hack, and another claiming that a 'fragile' sticker is almost guaranteed to make sure your checked bag is offloaded first.

So with that, dear readers, I'd like to cut through the noise and compile the ultimate list of JFC-approved travel hacks. What are your go-to tricks for making your trips smoother or cheaper? And what leaves you walking away feeling like you've beat the system? 

Jump into the comments or reply to this email to let us know!

Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Answered by Katy

Detour Editor Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has already travelled to more than 50 countries. Whether she's at home or on a foreign adventure, she has a particular talent for stumbling upon tasty Georgian restaurants.

When I read the word “Fiji,” it immediately conjures up images of the most pristine sandy beaches, the fresh scent of salty seawater, the warmth of the sun on my skin… and the fear of a terrifying credit card bill.

Even in all our years of flight hacking, we’ve never come across a flight to Fiji that I’d consider wildly “cheap.” The lowest we’ve ever seen from an airport we cover has to be $540 round trip from Los Angeles back in 2023, while Europe’s sweetest fare was a Covid-tainted £678 return from Manchester. 

Relatively speaking, those are fantastic deals, but from the UK & Europe in particular, it’s super rare. Luckily, North America sees decent trips in the $600s fairly regularly, so that would be my top tip for getting to Fiji on a budget — keep an eye on fares outta LA, San Fran and Vancouver. LA in particular gets lots of low-cost flights from across North America and Europe, so a little DIY multi-city magic can help you work out a cheaper route.

The other (longer, but potentially more exciting) route from Europe would be via China and Australia. We all know by now that Chinese airlines are our cheap tickets to Asia and beyond, so if you manage to snag flights to Sydney for under £600, then grab a JetStar connection for around £250, you’re laughing (in comparison to £1100+ as standard from London).

Once you get to Fiji, it really doesn’t have to be all flashy resort vibes, although you may be surprised how affordable some beachfront hotels are; for a week in October, there are options costing around half as much as you would expect in any major city in the US, Canada, or Europe. 

The catch is that if you find a cheap resort on one of the outer islands, you may still have to pay extra for a boat transfer to get out there. On top of that, a booking often includes a (mandatory) meal plan, which you will have to pay for on top of your room. So, essentially, do read the fine print!

There are a few JFC-ers among us who have been lucky enough to visit those dreamy Melanesian shores and worked out how to dodge those pricey honeymoon premiums. Here are their affordable Fiji tips:

To really focus on saving cash on accommodation while you’re out there, Sarah in our Facebook community recommends looking out for the one-coconut accommodation:

Island hopping is a huge draw, but it can rack up the ticket costs. You’re best to price up the journeys you plan to take and see how the total compares to the cost of a Bula Pass. Or, as Lonely Planet suggests, just avoid island hopping altogether. 

When you’re planning your trip, you may find that achieving that balance of affordability and authenticity is the tough part. Reaching the paths less trodden will cost you in transfers, but it can even out with cheaper homestays and fantastic experiences. Just remember that where there are fewer tourists, there are likely to be fewer amenities, so gear up for a truly authentic slice of island life.

Hopefully, we’ve managed to give you a few tips that’ll help you plan the Fijian adventure you’re dreaming of! And when you get back, please let us know how it went — I can’t wait to see some pictures and hear your stories.

Is there a destination or travel topic you'd like us to write about in The Detour? Just let us know!