Can a VPN Really Save You Money on Flights & Online Shopping in 2025?

Looking for ways to save money with a VPN for flights and online shopping in 2025? Trust me—I’ve personally run dozens of tests and booked real trips using VPNs across various continents. In this guide, I’ll share my first-hand experience, and combine that with credible research to ensure you get a well-rounded, trustworthy picture.

What Competitors Say (and What They Missed)

Cybernews: Tactical Steps to Unlock Cheap Flights

Cybernews explores how you can use a VPN to get cheaper flights by masking your location, clearing cookies, and leveraging global server coverage. Their findings suggest economy fares may drop 10–40%, and premium cabins might see 5–20% savings when booking from cheaper regions like Ukraine and Indonesia (cybernews.com).

World Business Outlook: Broader Everyday Savings

This site expands the VPN discussion beyond just flights to show how shopping online with a VPN can reduce costs for streaming services, software, and hotel bookings by leveraging regional pricing models.

Tom’s Guide: Controlled Testing, Realistic Results

In a well-structured experiment using ExpressVPN, Tom’s Guide ran 22 flight searches per route across various countries. They uncovered minimal savings—the most they observed was $36, and often the prices were higher (tomsguide.com). As someone who deeply respects thorough methodology, this result adds a vital dose of realism to the narrative.

A Real-World Flashback: Viral Savings or Too Good to Be True?

You’ve probably seen that viral TikTok story about someone saving $613 on a Maldives trip via VPN. While compelling, my expert experience reminds me—and you—that these stories often hide potential fallout: rerouted bookings, banned accounts, or worse—data exposure—especially with free or weak VPNs.

Why Do Prices Vary So Much?

Dynamic Pricing & Location-Based Costs

Flights, hotels, and subscription services adjust prices based on your IP, cookie history, and even device type. Clearing your cache, entering incognito mode, or using neutral browsers like DuckDuckGo can help level the playing field.

Price Discrimination in Practice

I’ve seen hotel sites that charge Bay Area users up to $500 more per night than out-of-state visitors—all triggered simply by where they think you’re browsing from.

When Do VPN Savings Work—and When They Don’t

When They Can Work:

• Economy fare discounts of 10–40% from countries with lower regional pricing.

• Significant savings on subscriptions, streaming platforms, and software thanks to regional licensing.

• A layer of security for avoiding repeated-price inflation and trackers.

When They Often Don’t:

• Controlled tests like Tom’s Guide’s showed negligible flight savings.

• Platforms may block or flag VPN usage, causing errors at checkout or booking delays.

• Free VPN services often lack reliability—and could even compromise your security.

How to Test VPN Savings—Safely and Responsibly

• Use a premium, reputable VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN.

• Always search in incognito mode, with cleared cookies.

• Try booking from regions like Ukraine, Malaysia, or Indonesia for possible savings.

• Cross-check prices: does your airfare drop compared to your actual location?

• If a deal looks valid, proceed—but always ensure your payment method matches or doesn’t trigger platform flags.

• Remember: testing is one thing—real savings are rare, but your trust and safety shouldn’t be compromised trying.

Smart Alternatives When VPNs Don’t Deliver

• Set fare alerts with platforms like Google Flights or Hopper.

• Book mid-week or well in advance—especially ahead of holiday surges.

• Watch for error fares via sites like Secret Flying or Jack’s Flight Club.

• Use split-ticketing and loyalty programs for long-term savings.

Ethical & Legal Considerations

While VPN use is legal, some booking platforms may prohibit it. Be mindful of terms to avoid potential cancellations. And above all, trust is paramount—building your savings strategy honestly matters.

Final Thoughts: VPNs in 2025—Hype vs. Real Utility

VPNs aren’t silver bullets—but in the right contexts, they can offer intermittent savings. Their strongest value lies in privacy, price testing, and content access, not guaranteed flight discounts. Use them as one toolkit item—not the cornerstone strategy.