The Secret to Affordable Flights, Car Rentals, Hotels and Software

Booking flights, hotels, car rentals, or even essential software online can feel like a budgeting nightmare. Prices often seem to skyrocket the moment we’re ready to book, and no matter how early we plan, it sometimes feels like the best deals are hidden behind some sort of travel wizardry.

You’re not imagining things—travel websites actually use sneaky techniques to adjust prices based on your searches and location. But don’t worry, we’ve got the inside scoop! Read on, and we’ll break down these secret strategies so you can finally outsmart the system and score the best deals every time.

How Companies Use Price Steering

In order to systematically make you buy more, websites use a tactic called “price steering.” When you visit a site, it logs your browsing activity, tracking things like how often you’ve searched for a particular flight or hotel. If you’ve visited the same flight page five times in one day, that site knows you’re likely very interested—and you might notice the price suddenly start creeping up.

Even the location you’re booking from and the time you’re doing it can make a big difference. Many websites that sell flights, hotels, and car rentals use cookies and cache data to adjust the prices you see. This is often an effort to create a sense of urgency, nudging you to book now before it “gets more expensive.” This, is price steering.

Thankfully, we can also use these to our advantage. Whether it’s cheaper flights from a different country’s site, hotels with location-based deals, or rental services that give discounts based on the region, tapping into these tips can save serious cash. But first, let’s find out how to beat price steering.

Always Clear Your Browser’s Cookies or Cache to Avoid Price Steering

Clearing cookies and cache is a simple but powerful way to reset your browsing experience and avoid price steering. This quick cleanup gives you a fresh start, making it harder for travel sites to track your habits and adjust prices based on past searches. Here’s how to do it on the most popular browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome, click on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, and go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to Privacy and security, then select Clear browsing data.
3. Choose a time range (select All time for a thorough clean).
4. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
5. Hit Clear data, and you’re set!

Mozilla Firefox

1. In Firefox, click the three-line menu in the upper-right and go to Settings.
2. Under Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.
3. Check both Cookies and Site Data and Cached Web Content, then click Clear.

Safari (on Mac)

1. Open Safari and go to the Safari menu at the top of your screen.
2. Click on Preferences, then go to the Privacy tab.
3. Select Manage Website Data, and either choose individual sites to delete or click Remove All to clear everything.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge, click the three-dot menu in the upper-right, and go to Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy, search, and services and scroll down to Clear browsing data.
3. Click Choose what to clear, select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, and hit Clear now.

Getting Cheaper Flights with a VPN

Another little-known travel tip is that the location from which you book can actually influence flight prices. This was made clear in a test by ExpressVPN where they searched for a Malaysia Airlines flight from London to Sydney on Kayak.com using different country-based IP addresses.

The results showed some interesting disparities: while a UK IP address offered the lowest fare, travelers booking from Mexico, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and Sweden saw slightly higher prices, with a potential difference of up to £42.73.

The reason behind this variation is that airlines and travel websites sometimes set prices based on the average purchasing power or travel demand in different countries. Using a VPN, like ExpressVPN, can be a smart workaround. A VPN allows you to choose an IP address from various countries, letting you check for lower prices from other locations.

While this was tested on Kayak.com, It works on practically any website offering flights. So, if you’re looking to save money on flights, then you’ll want to get on ExpressVPN and start checking!

Get Affordable Rental Cars with a VPN

Interestingly, the location-based price trick isn’t just limited to flights. ExpressVPN ran the same test on RentalCars.com, using IP addresses from Malaysia, the UK, Sweden, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, and India to check car rental prices. The biggest savings? An IP address from India, which offered the lowest rates, saving up to £47 compared to other countries.

This example proves that using a VPN like ExpressVPN to change your location can work across multiple types of booking sites and services, not just flights. By selecting a server from different countries (like India in this case), you can unlock lower prices that would otherwise go unseen.

Book Hotels with a VPN For Better Prices

Location-based pricing even applies to hotel bookings! In a test run by ExpressVPN on Trivago.com, they searched for rooms at The Leonard Hotel in London and found that prices shifted depending on the booking location. The most budget-friendly rate came from a U.S.-based IP address, saving travelers up to £30 compared to prices shown from other countries.

This trend shows that hotel booking sites, much like flight and rental platforms, adjust rates based on where you’re booking from. Using a VPN to switch your location can reveal hidden discounts, potentially saving you on stays at popular hotels. With a simple location change, it’s possible to find better rates, especially if you’re booking from a country with traditionally lower pricing.

Cheaper Prices on Adobe Software With ExpressVPN

When it comes to software like Adobe’s Photography CC Suite, location-based pricing can mean major savings, especially if you know where to look. Adobe adjusts its prices based on regional purchasing power and market demand, which is why a subscription can be much cheaper in certain countries. For a product as overpriced as the Adobe software suite, this can be a godsend.

For instance, a UK-based user would pay around £119.21 annually for the Adobe Photography CC Suite. However, if that same subscription were purchased from the USA, the price drops to £90.06. That’s a difference of nearly £30! And if you’re using a VPN to change your location, you might find even better savings in regions like Singapore, where the cost is just £87.13 (S$156).

Country	Price (£)	Local Currency
UK	£119.21
Australia	£103.51	A$171.47
Brazil	£100.98	R$420
Malaysia	£95.46	RM532.92
India	£95.25	₹8,112
Indonesia	£92.03	Rp1,617,600
USA	£90.06	US$119.88
Singapore	£87.13	S$156

From the chart, we can see that the most affordable option is India, at £95.25 (₹8,112) per year. While this might not be as low as the USA or Singapore in pure GBP, it still represents a considerable discount for users outside the UK. By using a VPN, you can switch to these regions during the checkout process and potentially save a decent amount annually on Adobe’s services.

Save Up on Microsoft Office Subscriptions with ExpressVPN

Microsoft Office 365 also has some interesting price differences depending on where you’re located. Office 365 is a go-to for personal and professional productivity, but if you’re paying in the UK, you’re looking at an annual cost of £59.99. That’s not bad, but if you book from a country like India, you’ll only pay around £42.22 (₹3,629).

Country	Price (£)	Local Currency
UK	£59.99
Singapore	£59.81	S$108
Brazil	£57.13	R$239
Australia	£53.09	A$89
USA	£52.18	US$69.99
Malaysia	£49.80	RM279.99
Indonesia	£49.56	Rp879,999
India	£42.22	₹3,629

For other countries, the savings are still noticeable. In the U.S., Office 365 costs £52.18 (US$69.99), which is a bit cheaper than the UK rate. Australia and Singapore also offer lower rates—around £53.09 (A$89) and £59.81 (S$108), respectively. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia both price the suite just under £50, making them attractive options.

These regional differences are set by Microsoft based on factors like purchasing power and local market pricing, and a VPN can give you access to them without needing to leave your couch. Simply connect to a server in the country with the best rate and proceed to checkout from there.

Why VPNs like ExpressVPN are Great!

With both Adobe and Microsoft, these price variations mean that savvy VPN users can cut costs. But, using a VPN isn’t just about finding lower prices—it comes with a ton of other benefits that can make your online experience safer, faster, and more versatile. Here are a few key reasons why a VPN is a smart tool for anyone who spends time online:

1. Privacy Protection: One of the biggest benefits of a VPN is that it protects your online privacy. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, which means websites, hackers, and even your internet provider can’t easily track your activity. It’s especially helpful if you’re browsing on public Wi-Fi networks, where privacy is often compromised.
2. Access to Geo-Restricted Content: VPNs let you “virtually” move your location, allowing access to content that might be restricted in your country. Whether it’s region-locked streaming services or local versions of websites, a VPN can connect you to servers worldwide, so you can enjoy the full internet without borders.
3. Enhanced Security: Besides privacy, VPNs also add a layer of security by encrypting your data. This helps protect sensitive information like login details, banking info, and browsing history from cyber threats, making it ideal for frequent travelers and remote workers.

For a reliable VPN with top performance and a vast network of server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. With servers in 90+ countries, it’s easy to find the right location for accessing deals, content, and secure browsing. Plus, it offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy, ensuring that your data and browsing activity remain completely private.

All in all, using a VPN like ExpressVPN not only gives you access to better prices and exclusive content but also keeps your online presence secure. And with so many perks, it’s a smart investment for any savvy internet user.

Closing Words

In today’s digital world, paying full price for flights, hotels, rentals, or software is often optional—especially if you know a few tricks to get around price steering and location-based pricing. By using a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can change your virtual location and access exclusive deals, whether it’s a cheaper flight from a different country or discounted subscriptions for Adobe software.

With these simple strategies, you’ll be able to make the most of your online bookings and save money in ways that most people don’t even realize are possible. So go ahead—browse smart, save big, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re getting the best deals possible.