Though not quite on par for my 12 countries in 12 months feat in 2015, we’re two months in and my travel plans for this year are already shaping up quite nicely.
A month ago, in an attempt to cure my “January Blues”, I booked a trip for mum and I to Naples, Italy. Using some money-saving hacks, it’s cost us just £101 each for flights and three nights bed and breakfast in Ercolano. Not bad, hey? Unfortunately it’s not until mid-March, so still a few weeks away. But as it’s been nine years since I was last in Italy, I’m really looking forward to heading back to “The Boot” and having some proper Italian food. As well as lots of pizza and pasta, we’ll be visiting the ruins of Pompeii, so I can’t wait to finally tick the UNESCO World Heritage site off my bucket list.
Then after Naples, I am heading off on a (semi-) solo adventure to Paris and Montreal…
I’ll be honest, I’m not particularly looking forward to the Paris part of the trip. I have never liked the French capital, and would even go as far as to say that it’s actually the worst city I’ve ever visited. Yes, shock horror: I hate Paris.
I previously ventured to Paris in August 2010, April 2013 and June 2015. Each time I’ve been, I’ve silently vowed never to return, as I end up detesting the place more and more with every visit. But when I saw super cheap flights to Canada from Paris, I couldn’t resist. I could put my hatred of the supposed City of Love aside in exchange for an affordable trip to a country I’ve yet to set foot on, plus the chance to catch-up with Jessika, a friend I made while in Berlin back in 2017.
And ‘affordable’ is definitely the right adjective here: I managed to get £88 return flights from Paris to Montreal. Yes, that’s right: return flights from France to Canada for less than £100. But how did I get such cheap flights?
How to get cheap flights.
I should start by saying it was by complete chance that I got these amazingly cheap flights; the low-cost fares disappeared as quickly as they appeared. So if you want to get discounted flights like these, sorry but you’re too late. Early bird catches the worm – or in this case, early bird bags the cheap flights to Canada. There’s no knowing if the price will drop that low again, but if you’re savvy you just might bag yourself some in the future – they may even be cheaper, or to somewhere else you’d like to go.
Much like the time I booked a 5-star holiday in the Dominican Republic for under £500, one Sunday morning, while I was minding my own business and not doing a lot (ie, snuggled up in bed with my cats and a coffee, scrolling through Instagram), I received a WhatsApp message from one of my favourite travel-booking websites, Holiday Pirates, alerting me to the bargain airfare:
I thought it was too good to be true. But clicking through to the site, I quickly scanned the details, hardly believing what I was reading. It was an error fare, of course – not even low-cost carrier Ryanair could manage flights across the pond for this little. As a comparison, when I’d previously looked at making a trip to Toronto to visit Jessika, return flights were around £600.
Getting more and more excited by the second, I rapidly skim-read the small print. But I saw no glaring obvious reason for the insanely priced flights, no disclaimers stating I’d have to donate my liver before take off or forgo air on the plane just to get a seat. So I typed in my details (or I should say, thankfully, Google autofilled them) and clicked “confirm”. Without more than a minute’s hesitation.
Though not quite as cheap as the headline price, they came in at just under £88:
Flying with Corsair, I leave Paris on Sunday 21 April (which I only discovered after booking, is actually Easter Sunday), and arrive back on Monday 29 April.
Obviously I have to get to Paris Orly first, and that has pushed up the cost of the trip – but only marginally. I’ve also managed to get Eurostar return tickets, from London King’s Cross St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, for just £55. So all in, the transport for this trip has cost me £143. That’s a total of 7,429 miles covered, for less than the cost of return train ticket from London to Edinburgh. Mind-blowing.
If you’re looking for more cheap flights, there’ll be a full how-to guide coming soon – follow me on Twitter to get it as soon as it’s published!
Extra brownie points.
If all that wasn’t enough, the cherry on top of my very cheap cake (or perhaps maple syrup on my pancakes, as I am going to Canada?) is that because I’m going over the Easter bank holiday weekend, I’ll only be using five days of my work annual holiday allowance for 11 days of travel. Jammy or what?
Timing a trip so it coincides with a national holiday is a great way to maximise your annual leave allowance, letting you travel the world while still working full-time. The downside is that flights, train tickets and car hire prices usually increase around national holidays like Christmas, Easter and the August Bank Holiday.
But if you’re flexible with your plans, you can usually nab some pretty good deals. Weigh up the pros and cons before booking; an extra day somewhere means more time to explore, but travelling over a national holiday may mean higher fares. This is what I did before booking my Eurostar tickets – as much as I hate Paris, it worked out a lot cheaper to travel on the Friday evening rather than on the day of my Montreal flight. And having to spend a few days in Paris seemed a small price (£55 to be exact) to pay before jetting off on a dirt cheap trip to Montreal.
*****
So, have you ever managed to book a flight as cheap as this? If so, where to, and how cheap was it?
And if you’ve ever been to Montreal before, I’d love some tips from you – drop me a comment below. Jessika and I are currently trying to find somewhere to stay in Montreal, so any recommendations would be great. And I’m also trying to prep myself for a trip back to dreaded Paris. Maybe fourth time around I’ll actually fall in love with the City of Love… Or not.
I have booked many cheap flights, but I’ve never booked one that cheap! That is frugal-tastic!
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I love that you were able to swoop in and get a great deal on a flight! Stick it to the man lol! I need to check out the Holiday Pirates!
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i can’t believe you got a flight that cheap!! what a great deal 🙂
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Right!? I wish I could get a flight that cheap! I guess I will have to try some of the things mentioned. 🙂
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That is truly impressive, I always get good deals for Europe but never for across the pond. This is truly impressive.
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i love holiday pirates they really are great for finding bargain trips great post thanks for sharing. katie davies
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I have never heard of Holiday Pirates before but from this post, it appears evident as to how they got their name! It’s close enough to nothing that you might as well say you scored free flights! Unbelievable.
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Wow, that is amazing! I’m from the US living in Spain, and I’ve flown back home for around 500€ roundtrip. I thought that that was good! I just looked up this website and want to figure out how to get their Whatsapp alerts. If I could find something this cheap to travel back to the US this summer, I´d be in heaven!
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Thankssss, it’s a steal isn’t it! Here’s some info about the WhatsApp alerts: https://www.holidaypirates.com/pages/whatsapp I hope it helps! X
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Dang that’s awesome! I’ve been lucky with flights lately and have been hopping around the world with no return flight for pretty cheap. But now that I actually want to fly back the flights to North America have gotten so ridiculous. Wish I could find a flight this cheap
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This looks amazing! I love a bargain holiday, just wish I had enough money to go away more!
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Wow! That’s a great deal! I would have gone at that price too.
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it sounds like you are off to an amazing start with travel for 2019! I love that are you using all these little hacks to get things as cheaply as possible. Amazing what prices you can find when you dig around.
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Wow what a steal of a deal! I’ve never been to Paris, but would love to one day! I can almost smell the fresh baked bread and pizza, yum!
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You’re a flight booking MAGICIAN! My tickets ALWAYS turn out to be MAD expensive #firstclass. lol!
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Wow that has to be the steal of the century I am still trying to pick my jaw back off from the floor – what an amazing bargain!
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How have I never heard of holiday pirates before?! Just checked their website and their deals are amazing, will definitely be looking out for holiday deals here in future.
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Wow, what a score! I always have a hard time finding good deals! Such beautiful pictures, btw!
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How fantastic for you! I’ve never heard of a flight so cheap…you definitely lucked out!
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Wow, such a great deal!! You are one lucky fellow 🙂 I have never heard of Holiday Pirates but from now on I shall check it out for such cheaper travel flight tickets!!
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It’s often surprising how much you can save on flights when you really think about it and be savvy when it comes to placing bookings.
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I have booked many cheap flights, but this is serious. I have never heard this before.
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That’s such a fantastic deal! What an amazing bargain hunter you are! It’s true you really can save a lot of money if you put your mind to it though!
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What an amazing offer Becca! I definitely would fly to Montreal for £88!! And good for you for securing it over the Easter break, sweet!
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Wow that’s an amazing price! I don’t think I’ve ever known such cheap flights, you’re very lucky.
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At that price how can you resisit. Even if the town is not for me I would likely go as a foodie.
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That is impressive! What a great deal! You’re right that is did sound too good to be true!
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DAMN – that’s some cheap flights!! Wish I could get ones that cheap
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Great tips! These are amazingly cheap. Thanks for sharing!
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I have never booked flights that cheap. If I could I would definitely travel way more often.
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That is some amazing luck. I’d love to travel more… when the kids get a little older it’ll be easier. Right now it’s easier to drive with cribs, car seats and everything.
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Sweet deal Becca. Amazing what a wee bit of legwork does. Cool to see contrarian views of Paris too 😉 My wife books some eye-popping tix too. We’ve a 10 hour flight from the Middle East way across Asia, for like 100 USD or around it. Crazy.
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Ohw ow, I never got a chance to booked cheap flights. You are so great. Hope I can find one too.
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This sounds awesome. It was a great detailed post on how you got that cheap flights. I have experienced this before but still trying my luck to have another one.
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What an amazing deal! I’ve never been to Canada before but I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time! x
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You are such a bargain hunter! I can’t believe how you have managed to bag the flight to Montreal at such a cheap rate. I am gonna be learning from you
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I love a bargain. We have not been abroad for years but now you have made me want to travel again 🙂
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Oh wow I’m amazed you got it for so cheap. Thanks for sharing I must suggest that to my friends who travel often and hopefully they can get a great deal too x
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Wow that is a great deal, it is amazing the bargains you can get x
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Definitely jammy. It’s always fun to find ways to save on traveling.
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Wow that is super cheap! You got such a fab deal there!
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Good to hear about that super amazing discounted flights that you got. Yes Early bird really catches the worm. Have fun in your travel!
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Wow, glad to learn about your booking and how to secure cheap flights. I travel often but usually book way earlier, say about 6 months ahead to secure a cheap flight.
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Wow what a crazy good deal! I could learn a thing or two from you 🙂 I have never been good at finding deals but with my daughter starting to travel for gymnastics I need to be!
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What an amazing deal. I love a good deal when I travel!
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Wow, you got an amazing deal on those plane tickets! I’ll have to go take a look and see if I can do something similar!
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What a fantastic deal! I am aiming for 12 countries this year and keeping everything crossed we make it. My best deal so far this year is flights to Marrakech from London and 3 nights in a Junior Suite in a 4 * riad right in the medina for £235 pp. so not quite at your level but I was impressed!!
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This is an amazing travel deal! I would like to have this too. Thanks for sharing.
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Wow, that is such a brilliant price – will definitely consider connecting flights in the future
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Such an amazing deal for travel. What is it that you don’t like about Paris? I have yet to go, so would love to hear about it.
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What a great deal! I love a bargain too! It looks like you have a great time during your travels, it’s awesome you were able to get such a great price!
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Not going to lie I’m jealous of your bargain buy Canada would be amazing. Meanwhile I can’t find a cheap return to the part of Germany I need lol
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Whoa! now this is a BARGAIN. I wish I had this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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I can’t believe that price – wow, go you!!! I’m stuck to travelling during school hols unfortunately!
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That is a huge bargain on that flight! You go! I’m never that lucky to get a fare that cheap to somewhere across a large body of water! Good job!
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The early bird definitely catches the worm! What a great price for looking around and being smart x
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Omg now that really is one awesome deal!!!!! I love it when I score travel deals like that
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this is so handy for me right now! we have family looking to fly soon
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Wow can you book all of my trips! That is a steal! Enjoy Paris especially during Easter break! Win win!
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Wow! What an incredible deal, even with having to purchase the other ticket. You’d be crazy to pass up a deal like that, even if you hate the city. BTW, I followed you on Twitter. Looking forward to your how to guide!
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Looks like amazing deal. I never tried before. Will definitely going to check out next time for sure. Thanks a ton
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You’re welcome! I hope you’re able to get cheap flights! x
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I love travelling and exploring the world. So much better when you manage to book a bargain flight!
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Wow, booking your trip in a bargain price is really amazing. I love travelling and I hope to get a chance to book my flight in a bargain price, too.
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oh wow !!! thats really cheap flight indeed !!! and i hope that you had a fab time Pati robins @stylesqueeze.com
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Sounds so amazing deal and I learned something from you today lol. It is such a treat.
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Teach me!!! I need a deal!!
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I love good deals like this. Need a quick vacay soon.
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I feel like I need another one! Hahaha! x
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I have never seen flights to Canada that cheap. That’s incredible. I haven’t managed flights that cheap before!
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I love a good bargain. Would love to check out Holiday Pirates. I would like to get such amazing deals, too!
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My you are sooo good! i wish I was half that good, I think I would have traveled a lot more. Thank you for inspiration and congrats with a nice bargain.
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I’m the absolute worst at booking flights—I always wait last minute! I love your strategies that you’ve used to score cheap flights. You’re able to do much more with the money you’ve saved!
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Oh I am terrible at getting anything cheap let alone flights!! Must try harder – what a bargain you got!
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Wow you are good at finding a bargain. I need to check out holiday pirates x
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That’s a great price. I’m so shocked that you dislike Paris so much. I loved it and can’t wait to go back again.
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Thanks for sharing your tips about reserving cheap flights, I wish I knew before. Now, I cannot believe you hate Paris. Even though Paris is not my favorite city in Europe it has its charms, don’t you think?
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That price is insane. Make me want to book a flight to Paris or Italy, or somewhere amazing right now.
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I know, such a crazy price! I hope you’re able to find a similar deal and take a holiday soon Cindy x
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What a briliant price! AND combining it with easter you ‘ve got a great break away. Have a great time!
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Wow that is a seriously amazing price for such a longhaul flight!! Also the Eurostar tickets – whenever I’ve booked I’ve never been able to get them at that price.
Have an amazing trip
Laura x
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Very informative post. Thanks for sharing this helpful post.
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Wow that is impressive! You are so lucky to get that deal 🙂
I’ll follow your strategy.
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That’s an amazing deal! Also, I’m with you about Paris and honestly, I’ve been told by so many people that that is such an unpopular opinion haha
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Another tip is to subscribe or follow cheap flight deal sites. Based in Australia, one I follow is http://www.flightfinderau.com
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Wow thats absolutely crazy cheap! I’m definitely signing up to Holiday Pirates
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What an amazing deal! I can’t believe you got such a great discount!
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Wow, what a fantastic price! Well done on finding such an affordable way to make the trip
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Wow! You definitely got a deal there! I haven’t ever gotten a real deal on a flight because I haven’t really done the work and my travel days are usually flexible. I want to get better about that! I am sure the trip will be amazing!
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I do not believe you really managed to spend so little and have this great gain? I follow all your steps! Wow!
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Haha thanks Cristina! I hope you’re able to get a cheap flight too 🙂 x
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What a GREAT deal. I can’t go because I live in Japan but someone will!
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Keep your eye out, you never know if these kinds of deals might be suitable for you 🙂 x
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Wow what an amazing deal! I can’t believe you got such a great deal. I would love a deal like that for a family of 4.
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I’m impressed with how inexpensive this trip was for you. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
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Thanks for your comment Heather 🙂 x
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this is such a great deal! Glad you shared your experience with us. It’s always nice to read about your adventures.
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Ahhh thank you Fatima – I hope you continue to follow me on my travels around the world! x
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That’s an amazing price. Even if you don’t really like Paris. I’ve always been a way ahead planner when it comes to airfare.
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Planning ahead can definitely save you loads of money when it comes to airfares! x
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I always look for cheap flights but never ever find a way to book cheap flights. You are so lucky that you booked your flight for less
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This is really impressive wow ! I was aware of those error far and ” secret flying ” website but for so cheap this is like the loto ! I usually fly YUL – CDG for no less than 600$
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