One of the biggest impediments to booking an airline ticket is often the cost, but a new online service promises to deliver hidden deals that can bring an overseas holiday or business trip closer to reality.

Czech-based Skypicker boasts a unique computer algorithm that finds the deals no one else can, resulting in up to 90 per cent discounts.

One of the secrets to the service is finding an uncommon route to your destination, and while it may take an extra stopover to get there, the vast savings may justify it.

Using the website can save consumers the hassle of comparing stopover flights between airlines. But one tourism technology expert described Skypicker as “risky”.

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“I know people who have flown to Australia via Africa, and it took them 48 hours, just to save money,” said The University of Queensland’s Professor Ulrike Gretzel.

There has always been a clientele for these disjointed flights, but Skypicker’s algorithm probably finds the options other search engines dismiss as “crazy”, she said.

Consumers should be “very careful” of additional costs, nuisances and risks involved in using two or more different airlines for a single trip.

“It sounds great, right. Everyone wants to save money, but there are some potentially hidden costs if things go wrong,” Professor Gretzel said.

But if Skypicker does not sound like an option for you, there are other methods of finding cheaper flights that the airlines will never tell you about.

Travel on these days

Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly, said a spokesman for popular travel deals website Travelzoo.

“Obviously, you are travelling outside when all the business travellers are flying,” Travelzoo Asia Pacific co-CEO Brad Gurrie told The New Daily.

“If you avoid those peak periods, you can actually get some of the best fares.”

Play the web against the pros

Research cheap flights online, then print out the best deals and take them to a travel agent or airline, Mr Gurrie said.

For example, Jetstar offers discounts for flights leaving at the same time, and Flight Centre has a price beat guarantee.

Budget is not always cheaper

Other sites may dismiss Skypicker’s deals as ‘crazy’. Photo: Shutterstock

Low-cost airlines do not always offer the best value, Mr Gurrie said, making an “apples-for-apples” comparison very important.

“If you’re somebody who always takes check-in luggage, has a meal, buys a beer on the flight and likes to sit in a certain area of the plane with your seat allocated, then it could well be that the full-service flights actually offer a more cost-effective option.”

Give yourself plenty of time

Typically, it is better to book flights in advance, said a spokeswoman for travel writers, who are often forced to fly on the cheap as part of their job.

“If you can, book well ahead,” Australian Society of Travel Writers president Kerry Heaney said.

“I’ve often been caught at the last minute trying to find flights somewhere and when you do it seems like everything is triple the price when you looked way back.”

Pick a quieter month

The shoulder or even the off-seasons can be just as fun periods for a holiday, with the bonus of cheaper flights, Ms Heaney said.

“In the shoulder season, you usually have pretty good options for weather. You’ll still have a good holiday, but without the crowds and high prices.

“Even the off-season can sometimes be good if you’re prepared for it.”

Reverse it

If money is really tight, try flipping your holiday on its head by checking flights first and countries second, Ms Heaney said.

“Decide where you’re going based on the cheapest airfare rather than via the destination.”

Use other travel websites

Travel writers consulted by Ms Heaney recommended the website Momondo as their favourite.

Other popular sites include:

• Skyscanner
• Webjet
• Kayak
• Wego
• Fly.com

Stalk the airlines

Follow the airlines on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to their newsletters, Ms Heaney said.

“They all have deals that come out, so you can take advantage of that.”

The New Daily has contacted Skypicker for comment.