So, you’re planning your next adventure, and now comes the fun part—finding those cheap flights. Except… it’s not always fun, right?
Flight prices can be unpredictable, and it feels like no matter what you do, you’re either paying too much or booking at the wrong time. But don’t worry, you’ve got this. I’ve been there. We’ve all been there.
Lucky for you, there are ways to beat the system (or at least work with it). Finding the best deals on flights isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing where to look, when to book, and how to make the most out of all the resources available. Let’s dive into the strategies that will keep more money in your pocket and get you to your dream destination for less.
Timing is Everything: Book at the Right Time
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s true—when you book your flight can make a huge difference in the price. Airlines have this crazy thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the cost of a ticket changes based on a bunch of factors like demand, season, and even the day of the week. But the key is knowing when to strike.
Here’s what you should aim for:
- Best days to book: Studies show that booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays often gets you lower prices. Why? Because airlines typically announce deals on Mondays, and by Tuesday, other airlines are trying to compete, dropping their fares.
- Avoid weekends: Flight prices usually go up over the weekend. Lots of people are browsing for flights on Saturday and Sunday, so airlines hike up the prices, knowing there’s demand.
- The sweet spot: For domestic flights, book about 1-3 months ahead. For international, give yourself 2-8 months. Last-minute deals happen, but they’re rare. Playing the long game is smarter.
Use Flight Search Engines Like a Pro
Flight search engines are your best friend when it comes to finding cheap flights. But not all search engines are created equal. Some sites are better at finding deals than others, and you’ll want to mix it up a bit when hunting for the best price.
Top flight search engines to check out:
- Google Flights: An absolute favorite. Google Flights has this nifty price graph that lets you see how prices fluctuate over time, so you can figure out the best day to fly. Plus, it gives you alternate airport suggestions and flexible date options.
- Skyscanner: This one is perfect for when you’re flexible with your dates and even your destination. You can search “everywhere” and Skyscanner will show you the cheapest places to fly at that moment. A real gem for spontaneous travelers.
- Kayak: Kayak does it all, from price tracking to showing you the cheapest month to fly to a specific destination. Plus, their Explore feature is awesome if you’re dreaming of travel but don’t have a set place in mind yet.
- Momondo: Not as well-known, but seriously underrated. Momondo has some great filters for finding budget airlines and comparing prices across different booking sites.
Don’t Ignore Budget Airlines
I know, I know. Budget airlines can be a little scary. But hear me out. If you’re looking to save some serious cash, they’re a solid option. You might not get the free snacks, and you might have to pay extra for a checked bag, but the savings can be worth it.
How to make the most of budget airlines:
- Check the fine print: Budget airlines are notorious for sneaky fees. Double-check their baggage policies and seat selection fees before you book.
- No frills: Accept that you’re paying for a seat and a seat only. Bring your own snacks, entertain yourself with your own downloaded shows, and don’t expect luxury.
- Stick to the basics: If you can survive a short-haul flight with just a carry-on and a backpack, budget airlines are a game-changer.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flexibility is one of the most powerful tools when searching for cheap flights. If you’re married to specific dates, you’re going to have a harder time finding a deal. But if you can give yourself a little wiggle room—like flying out on a Tuesday instead of a Friday—you’ll often find cheaper options.
Pro tips for flexible travel:
- Use the “whole month” search: Most search engines, like Google Flights and Skyscanner, let you look at prices for an entire month. This way, you can easily see which days are cheaper.
- Shoulder season is your friend: Avoid flying during peak tourist seasons. Look for the shoulder season—the few weeks right before and after peak season—when prices are lower, but the weather’s still great, and the crowds haven’t taken over yet.
- Consider alternate airports: Flying into or out of smaller, nearby airports can save you a lot of money. For example, instead of flying into London Heathrow, check prices for Gatwick or Luton.
Use Fare Alerts and Price Tracking
You can’t sit on your computer all day refreshing flight prices. Luckily, you don’t have to. That’s where fare alerts and price tracking come in handy. Set these up and let technology do the heavy lifting.
How to set fare alerts:
- Google Flights price alerts: Once you search for a route, you can toggle a little button to “track prices.” Google will send you an email if the fare drops (or goes up).
- Skyscanner price alerts: Skyscanner lets you track prices and get email notifications when the price changes.
- Hopper app: Hopper predicts future flight prices with decent accuracy and tells you whether you should book now or wait. It’s like having your own personal flight assistant.
Fly on Off-Peak Days and Times
Want to know a secret? Nobody likes flying on a Tuesday at 5 a.m. And that’s exactly why you should. Airlines know that flights at weird times (like super early in the morning or on random weekdays) aren’t as popular, so they drop the prices.
What to keep in mind:
- Midweek flights are cheaper: People tend to fly out on weekends or Fridays and Mondays. If you can fly midweek—Tuesday or Wednesday—you’re almost guaranteed to find lower prices.
- Early morning and red-eye flights: These are the flights no one wants, which means they’re usually the cheapest. Set that alarm, grab a coffee, and enjoy the savings.
Be Ready to Book When You See a Good Deal
This might sound obvious, but when you see a great deal, don’t wait. Flight prices change fast, and that killer fare you found today might not be there tomorrow.
Here’s how to be ready:
- Have your payment info saved: Whether you’re booking directly through the airline or using a third-party site, make sure your payment details are saved and ready to go.
- Don’t second-guess yourself: If the deal looks good, trust your gut and book it. Prices can shoot up in minutes, especially if the flight is filling up.
- Use a credit card that earns rewards: You’re already spending the money, so you might as well get something out of it. Use a travel rewards credit card to earn points or miles on your flight purchase.
Explore Hidden City Ticketing (But Be Cautious)
Ever heard of hidden city ticketing? It’s a trick where you book a flight with a layover, but your real destination is the layover city. You just skip the final leg of the flight. It sounds sneaky because it kind of is, but it can save you big bucks.
Things to know about hidden city ticketing:
- Only bring carry-on luggage: If you check a bag, it’s going to your final destination, not your layover city. So, stick to a carry-on.
- Don’t make it a habit: Airlines frown upon this trick. They can penalize you if they catch on, so don’t overdo it.
- Use Skiplagged: This site specializes in finding hidden city fares. Just be cautious and use it sparingly.
Clear Your Cookies or Search Incognito
You might have heard that airlines use your browsing data to increase prices if they see you searching the same flight repeatedly. While the jury’s still out on whether this is 100% true, there’s no harm in being cautious.
How to avoid price hikes:
- Use incognito mode: Open an incognito window before you start searching. It doesn’t save your browsing history or cookies, so the airlines won’t know what you’re up to.
- Clear your cookies: If you’re not using incognito mode, clear your cookies after searching. It takes two seconds and could potentially save you some cash.
Check Social Media and Newsletters for Flash Sales
Airlines and travel companies love a good flash sale. They’ll drop insanely low fares for a short time, but you have to be quick to snag them.
Where to find these sales:
- Follow airlines on social media: Many airlines announce flash sales on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Make sure you’re following them, and turn on notifications so you don’t miss out.
- Sign up for newsletters: Sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Secret Flying, and Airfarewatchdog send out daily or weekly newsletters with the latest flight deals. Sign up, sit back, and let the deals come to you.
Consider Using Points and Miles
If you’re not already using points and miles to book flights, you’re leaving money on the table. There’s a whole world of travel hacking out there that can get you flights for practically free if you play your cards right.
Here’s how to start:
- Get a travel rewards credit card: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold offer great sign-up bonuses and let you earn points on everyday purchases.
- Join frequent flyer programs: Even if you don’t fly often, join airline loyalty programs. They’re free, and you can rack up miles for future trips.
- Be smart about using miles: Not every flight is a good deal for using miles. Sometimes it’s better to pay cash for cheap flights and save your miles for more expensive routes.
Conclusion: Be Patient, Be Flexible, and Be Smart
Finding the best deals on flights doesn’t have to be stressful. It’s all about knowing the right tools, staying flexible, and keeping an eye out for deals. Whether you’re booking months in advance or looking for a last-minute getaway, there are always ways to save.
Now, go ahead and start searching for your next flight. With these tips in your back pocket, you’re bound to find a deal that leaves you plenty of cash for your actual adventure.