May Day Travel Savings Tested: 5 Tricks That Saved Me $40 on Flights

Hey everyone, checked May Day flight prices yet?

I searched Chengdu to Sanya yesterday — round trip was over 2,800 RMB. Usually it’s around 1,000. This price jump raised my blood pressure faster than… well, you get it.

But I’m stubborn. Spent two days researching money-saving hacks, tested five methods, and got my round trip under 2,500 RMB — saved over 300 RMB ($40+). Sharing everything today, no secrets.

Trick #1: Meituan search ‘air tickets 100’ for red packets.

Found this by accident. Open Meituan app, search ‘机票100’ (air tickets 100), you get a coupon pack with a 100 RMB universal voucher. Not those ‘spend 5,000 save 100’ scams — real no-threshold discount. Saved 100 RMB directly on my booking.

Trick #2: Tongcheng has hidden perks too.

Search ‘福利100’ (welfare 100) on Tongcheng app for coupons. I compared both platforms — same flight sometimes tens of RMB cheaper on Tongcheng, plus coupons, more savings.

Trick #3: Book Tuesday afternoons.

This isn’t superstition, it’s data-backed. Airlines typically release discount tickets Tuesday afternoons after Monday pricing meetings. I tested it — Tuesday 3-5 PM searches were indeed cheaper than weekends. Just tens of RMB difference, but every bit counts.

Trick #4: Avoid peak times.

May Day is May 1-5. If you can shift travel one day earlier (April 30) or return one day later (May 6), prices drop significantly. I couldn’t due to limited vacation days, but if you’re flexible, try this.

Trick #5: Airport construction/fuel fee waivers.

Many don’t know — these fees have discount policies. Some airlines waive them for members or specific payment methods (certain credit cards). I paid with my CMB credit card and got a 50 RMB fee waiver.

The magic happens when you stack these tricks. One alone saves just tens of RMB, combined they saved me 300.

Now, traps to avoid:

First, don’t repeatedly search the same route. Some platforms track searches and raise prices. Use incognito mode or switch devices.

Second, watch for ‘low price traps.’ Some third-party platforms show artificially low prices that exclude baggage or have strict no-refund policies. Always read the fine print.

Third, don’t wait until the last minute. For major holidays like May Day, prices spike closer to dates and good times sell out. Book about a week ahead for best value.

That’s all for today. Got other money-saving tips? Share in comments! Happy May Day travels!