How to Find the Cheapest Flights

Insider Tips for Budget Travelers

Finding the cheapest flights can often be a challenge, but with the right strategies, you can save a significant amount of money on airfare. Here are some expert tips to help you get the best deals:

1. Use Flight Search Engines

Flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo are excellent tools for comparing flight prices across different airlines. These platforms search multiple booking sites and airlines, making it easy to find the cheapest flights. Here’s how to use them effectively:

• Set alerts: Many of these sites allow you to set price alerts so you’ll get notified when fares drop.
• Flexible date search: Check prices across a month or several months to find the lowest fare. Prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week or time of year.

2. Book in Advance, but Not Too Far Ahead

Booking your flights too early or too late can often result in higher prices. The sweet spot for finding the cheapest flights is usually between 2 to 3 months before domestic flights and 5 to 6 months for international travel.

• Airlines offer the best prices early on, but those seats fill up quickly. Last-minute bookings, on the other hand, are often more expensive due to limited availability.

3. Be Flexible with Dates and Times

Flight prices can fluctuate depending on the day and time you choose to fly. Generally, midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are cheaper than weekend flights. Traveling during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late at night, can also save you money.

• Shoulder seasons (the period just before or after the high tourist season) often have cheaper flights because demand is lower.

4. Consider Budget Airlines

Budget airlines like Ryanair, Spirit Airlines, and AirAsia offer significantly cheaper fares than full-service airlines, especially for short-haul or domestic flights. While budget airlines may charge for extras like seat selection, luggage, or meals, these can still be more affordable than traditional carriers.

• Use tools like Kiwi.com to track budget airlines that may not appear on traditional search engines.

5. Use Airline Miles and Credit Card Points

One of the best ways to find cheap flights is by using airline miles or credit card points. Many travel reward credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can be redeemed for free or heavily discounted flights.

• Travel hacking: Sign up for airline loyalty programs and frequently check for mileage deals or reward seats.

6. Book One-Way Flights or Different Airlines

While round-trip tickets are sometimes cheaper, it’s worth checking the price of one-way tickets or flying with different airlines for each leg of your trip. Occasionally, booking two one-way flights can result in a lower overall fare.

• Multi-city flights: If you’re planning to visit multiple destinations, look for multi-city flights, which often cost less than booking separate round trips.

7. Search for Flights in Incognito Mode

Airline and booking websites can use cookies to track your search history. This means that the more you search for the same route, the higher the prices may appear. To avoid this, search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies before searching again.

8. Check Alternative Airports

Flying into or out of secondary airports (especially in large cities) can often save you money. Major cities typically have multiple airports, and smaller, less busy airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into cheaper flights.

• For example, flying into London Gatwick instead of Heathrow or using LaGuardia instead of JFK in New York can sometimes save you a lot.

9. Use Error Fares and Flash Sales

Occasionally, airlines or booking sites make pricing mistakes, leading to incredibly low “error fares.” Websites like Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Scott’s Cheap Flights track these error fares and notify subscribers. If you’re flexible and ready to book on the spot, you can snag some amazing deals.

• Additionally, airlines sometimes offer flash sales with heavily discounted tickets for a limited time. Sign up for airline newsletters to stay informed.

10. Mix and Match Airports and Airlines

For long-haul trips, consider booking flights in segments. Sometimes, flying into a major hub and booking a separate flight on a budget airline to your final destination can save money.

For example, instead of flying directly from New York to a smaller European city, you could book a flight to London and then take a budget airline like Ryanair or EasyJet to your final destination.