Flight Sale Guide: Find the Cheap Fares That Actually Apply
Saw a flight sale, searched your dates and the price barely moved? Before you come for us in the comments, check the travel dates. A flight sale doesn’t make every seat on every flight cheaper. Airlines choose the routes, travel periods and number of discounted seats included in each deal. For our Birthday Sale from 25–28 August 2026, here’s exactly which airlines are on sale, when to book and when you can travel.
Quick Overview: All you need to know about our Birthday Sale
Need help finding your deal. Let our agents help you. Call the Travelbar on 021 468 4321
How does a flight sale work?
There are two dates to remember:
- Sale dates: when you need to book and pay.
- Travel dates: when you can actually fly on the discounted fare.
So a sale running from 25–28 August could include flights in September, November or even February next year.
Search outside the airline’s qualifying dates and you may see the normal fare. The sale hasn’t vanished. Your dates just aren’t part of it.
Why might the sale fare not show?
Usually because:
- Your route or travel dates aren’t included.
- You’re travelling during a blackout period.
- The cheapest sale seats have sold out.
- The discount only applies on certain departure days.
- The airline requires you to book a set number of days ahead.
- The percentage discount applies to the base fare, not taxes and other charges.
That last one matters. 20% off the base fare might not necessarily mean 20% off the final price.
Now, onto the good stuff.
Domestic flight sale deals
LIFT
LIFT is joining the Birthday Sale with an exclusive Travelstart offer. We can’t say more right now… but it’s looking good!
SAA
Another Travelstart exclusive we can’t spoil just yet.
Regional flight sale deals
Fastjet
Book: 25–28 August 2026
Travel: 24 August – 31 October 2026
Blackout dates: None
Deal: Up to 12% off base fare, exclusive to Travelstart
Routes include:
- Johannesburg to Harare
- Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
- Johannesburg to Bulawayo
Selected Harare fares get the full 12% discount when booked at least 25 days before departure. The 12% sale will be applied to the total net booking airfare before any airport taxes, fuel surcharges or extras are added to the purchase. For clarity, airport taxes, fuel surcharges and extras added to your booking will not be discounted by 12%.
International flight sale deals
Air Mauritius
Book: 25–28 August 2026
Travel: 26 August 2026 – 31 March 2027
Deal: Exclusive to Travelstart
Blackout dates apply from 23 September–6 October 2026 and 9 December 2026–12 January 2027.
Air Tanzania
Book: Until 31 August 2026
Travel: 1–30 November 2026
Blackout dates: May apply
The headline deal: Cape Town → Zanzibar from R4,219 return
Yes, return! We surprised too.
Emirates
Book: 25–28 August 2026
Travel: Open, subject to availability
Deal: A mega discount on flights to Dubai. Exclusive to Travelstart
Keep in mind that departures from Friday to Sunday may cost more, and travel from 12–21 December 2026 is excluded.
Ethiopian Airlines
Book: 25–28 August 2026
Depart: Monday–Thursday
Deal: 10% off selected fares
If you can move your departure away from the weekend, this is one worth checking.
FlySafair
Book: 25–28 August 2026
Travel: Selected dates in February 2027
Blackout dates: None
Deal: Exclusive to Travelstart
Johannesburg → Mauritius from R7,669 return
Selected Johannesburg departures are available on 6, 13, 20 and 27 February 2027, with several return dates available throughout the month.
So if you search Mauritius for September and don’t see R7,669, FlySafair hasn’t changed its mind. Wrong month.
RwandAir
Book: 24–28 August 2026
Travel: 24 August 2026–30 June 2027. Applies to all routes on the Rwandair Network.
Blackout dates: 15 December 2026–15 January 2027
Deal: 20% off the base fare on eligible routes from Johannesburg
The 20% discount applies to the base fare, so taxes and certain airline charges stay put. Some destinations may also attract a USD25 surcharge.
Which airlines are on sale?
For the Travelstart Birthday Sale, confirmed deals currently include:
- Domestic: LIFT, SAA
- Regional: Fastjet, SAA
- International: Air Mauritius, Air Tanzania, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, FlySafair, RwandAir, Qatar Airways, Taag and Etihad
More airlines may still join. We’ll update this guide as new flight deals are confirmed.
Where do I find the Birthday Sale Deals?
Now we’re talking. You can find all our 20th birthday deals right here
How to get cheap flights during a sale
There isn’t a secret password or a magical Tuesday at 2am. The best cheap flights hack is flexibility.
Try to:
- Start with the advertised example dates.
- Move your trip by a day or two.
- Avoid blackout periods
- Look at which city the deal departs from.
- Book once you find a fare that works.
A sale ending on Friday doesn’t mean the cheapest seat will patiently wait for you until Friday.
When should I book?
As soon as the airline deal you want goes live.
Waiting until the last day doesn’t unlock a better discount. It just gives everyone else more time to take the cheap seats.
Flight sale FAQs
Why isn’t my flight cheaper during the sale?
Your route or dates may not qualify, you may be travelling during a blackout period or the cheapest sale seats may already be gone.
Check the airline details above and try shifting your dates slightly.
Do flight sale fares apply every day?
No. Some sales cover several months, while others only apply to a few selected departure dates.
That’s why checking the travel period matters just as much as checking the sale dates.
Are the advertised prices guaranteed?
Advertised “from” prices are based on specific routes, dates and available seats. Other eligible dates may cost more.
Flight prices can also change as cheaper fare levels sell out.
What is the best way to get cheap flights?
If you’re hunting for cheap flights, flexibility gives you the best shot. Search around the advertised dates, compare nearby departure days and book when you find a price that works.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Let our agents help you.
Sale dates tell you when to click. Travel dates tell you when to pack.
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That’s really the whole trick. Check the airline. Check the route. Check the travel dates. Then go hunting for the deal. That’s how a flight sale works.
Fares are subject to availability and may change. Blackout dates, baggage allowances, taxes, surcharges and other airline conditions may apply. Always check the final fare before completing your booking.
