Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but the cost of flights can often be a major deterrent. However, with a bit of know-how and some strategic planning, you can find cheap flights and save hundreds of dollars.
Here’s your ultimate guide to scoring those budget-friendly airfare deals.
Table of Contents
1. Start with the Basics: Search Engines and Aggregators
To begin your search for cheap flights, it’s essential to use multiple flight search engines and aggregators. Here are some of the top sites to get you started:
Google Flights
Google Flights is a powerful tool that allows you to explore destinations based on your budget. Its calendar view shows you the cheapest days to fly, and the map feature can help you discover affordable destinations.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another excellent search engine that compares millions of flights to find the best deal. It’s particularly useful for its “Everywhere” feature, which shows the cheapest places to fly from your departure city.
Kayak
Kayak offers a comprehensive search engine with flexible search options, including price alerts and fare predictions. Its Explore tool is fantastic for visualizing destinations within your budget.
2. Set Up Fare Alerts
Most flight search engines allow you to set up fare alerts. These notifications will keep you informed about price drops and special deals. By staying vigilant, you can snatch up the best deals as soon as they become available.
3. Be Flexible with Dates and Times
Flexibility is key to finding cheap flights. Here’s how you can use flexibility to your advantage:
Travel During Off-Peak Times
Flying mid-week, such as on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, can often yield lower fares compared to weekends. Early morning or late-night flights are also typically cheaper.
Adjust Your Travel Dates
If your schedule allows, consider adjusting your travel dates slightly. Sometimes moving your departure or return date by just a day or two can make a significant difference in price.
4. Consider Nearby Airports
Flying into or out of nearby airports can sometimes be cheaper than using major airports. For example, if you’re traveling to New York City, compare prices for flights into Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK. Smaller airports can offer substantial savings.
5. Book in Advance, But Not Too Far Ahead
While it’s generally a good idea to book in advance, booking too far ahead can sometimes result in higher prices. The sweet spot for booking domestic flights is typically 1-3 months in advance, while international flights are best booked 2-8 months ahead.
6. Use Airline Miles and Rewards Programs
Frequent flyer miles and rewards programs can save you a significant amount of money. Here’s how to maximize their benefits:
Sign Up for Airline Loyalty Programs
Even if you don’t fly frequently, it’s worth signing up for loyalty programs. Accumulate miles and points with every flight, and redeem them for future travel.
Use Credit Card Rewards
Many credit cards offer travel rewards and bonuses. Look for cards that offer sign-up bonuses, double points on travel purchases, and other perks that can help you earn free or discounted flights.
7. Look for Flash Sales and Deals
Airlines often have flash sales and special deals that can save you hundreds. Here’s how to stay in the loop:
Subscribe to Newsletters
Sign up for newsletters from airlines and travel websites. They often send out notifications about sales and exclusive deals.
Follow Airlines on Social Media
Airlines frequently post about sales and promotions on their social media channels. Follow them to stay updated on the latest offers.
8. Use Budget Airlines
Budget airlines can offer significantly lower fares than their full-service counterparts. However, be aware of additional fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals. Some popular budget airlines include:
Southwest Airlines
Known for its low fares and generous free checked baggage policy, Southwest is a favorite among budget-conscious travelers.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit offers some of the cheapest base fares, but be prepared to pay for extras like carry-on bags and seat assignments.
Ryanair and EasyJet (Europe)
These European budget airlines offer incredibly low fares, especially if you book well in advance and travel light.
9. Use Incognito Mode When Searching
Airline websites and search engines often use cookies to track your searches, which can sometimes lead to higher prices if they see you searching for the same flights repeatedly. Use incognito mode or clear your cookies to avoid this.
10. Check for Student, Senior, and Military Discounts
Many airlines offer discounts for students, seniors, and military personnel. Check the airline’s website or call their customer service to inquire about any available discounts.
11. Leverage Stopovers and Layovers
Sometimes, booking a flight with a layover can be cheaper than a direct flight. Additionally, some airlines offer free or discounted stopovers, allowing you to explore another city on your way to your final destination. For example:
Icelandair
Icelandair offers free stopovers in Reykjavik for up to seven days on transatlantic flights, giving you a chance to explore Iceland at no extra cost.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has a stopover program that includes discounted hotel rates and free activities in Singapore.
12. Consider Alternative Routes
Be creative with your routes. Sometimes booking separate legs of a journey with different airlines can be cheaper than booking a single ticket. For instance, flying from New York to Bangkok might be cheaper if you book a flight to a major European city and then a separate flight to Bangkok.
13. Use Flight Deal Websites
There are numerous websites dedicated to finding and sharing flight deals. Some of the best include:
The Flight Deal
This site posts daily deals on flights from various U.S. cities, focusing on international travel.
Secret Flying
Secret Flying offers deals on flights from all over the world, including error fares that can result in massive savings.
Scott’s Cheap Flights
By subscribing to Scott’s Cheap Flights, you’ll receive alerts about flight deals and mistake fares directly to your inbox.
14. Consider Package Deals
Sometimes booking a flight and hotel package can save you money compared to booking separately. Websites like Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity offer package deals that can result in significant savings.
15. Be Aware of Hidden Fees
When comparing flight prices, always be aware of potential hidden fees. Budget airlines, in particular, may charge extra for things like:
- Checked and Carry-On Baggage: Check the airline’s baggage policy to avoid unexpected fees.
- Seat Selection: Some airlines charge for selecting a specific seat.
- Food and Drink: Budget airlines often charge for in-flight meals and beverages.
- Booking Fees: Always check the final price before booking to avoid surprise charges.
16. Travel Light
Traveling with just a carry-on can save you money on baggage fees. Pack smart and use compression bags to maximize space. Many budget airlines allow one free personal item, so take advantage of this by bringing a large backpack or tote.
17. Consider Booking One-Way Tickets
Sometimes booking two one-way tickets can be cheaper than booking a round-trip. This method also allows for more flexibility in choosing airlines and departure times.
18. Use a VPN
Flight prices can vary based on your location. Using a VPN to change your virtual location can sometimes reveal cheaper fares. Try searching from different countries to see if you can find a better deal.
19. Take Advantage of Error Fares
Error fares occur when airlines mistakenly publish incorrect prices. These fares are often significantly lower than normal prices. While there’s a risk that the airline might cancel the ticket, many travelers have successfully flown on error fare tickets. Websites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal frequently post these rare finds.
20. Book Group Travel Separately
When booking for a group, it can sometimes be cheaper to book tickets individually rather than as a group. Airlines tend to increase prices for multiple seats, so booking one or two tickets at a time can help you find lower fares.
21. Consider Multi-City Flights
Multi-city flights can sometimes be cheaper than round-trip tickets. This option is also great for travelers who want to visit multiple destinations on one trip. Use the multi-city search feature on flight search engines to compare prices.
Conclusion
Finding cheap flights and saving hundreds of dollars requires a mix of flexibility, strategic planning, and a willingness to explore different options. By using search engines, setting up fare alerts, considering alternative routes and airports, and taking advantage of loyalty programs and discounts, you can significantly reduce your travel costs. Remember, the key to scoring the best deals is to stay informed and be ready to act quickly when you find a great fare. Happy travels!