Air travel can be one of the most expensive parts of your trip, but with a few insider tips, you can significantly reduce your costs. From knowing the best times to book to using flight comparison tools, there are plenty of strategies that can help you save money on flights. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your first vacation abroad, this guide will equip you with practical ways to find affordable airfare without sacrificing convenience.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times
One of the easiest ways to save money on flights is to be flexible with your travel dates and times. Airfare prices fluctuate based on demand, so flying during off-peak seasons or on less popular days of the week can lead to substantial savings.
Best Days to Fly
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are often the cheapest days to fly, as fewer people travel on these days compared to weekends or Mondays.
- Avoid peak travel periods, such as holidays or school vacations, when flights are in high demand and prices skyrocket.
Use Flexible Date Search Tools
Many flight comparison websites, like Google Flights or Skyscanner, offer flexible date search tools. These allow you to see the cheapest fares across an entire month, helping you pinpoint the most affordable travel dates.
2. Book in Advance (But Not Too Early)
While last-minute deals sometimes pop up, booking in advance is generally the best way to secure low-cost airfare. However, it’s crucial to know the sweet spot for booking.
Best Time to Book
- For domestic flights, book 1-3 months in advance.
- For international flights, aim for 2-8 months ahead. Booking too early or too late can result in higher prices, so finding the optimal window is key. Use fare alert tools to notify you when prices drop on your preferred routes.
3. Use Flight Comparison Websites and Apps
Flight comparison websites and apps are a traveler’s best friend when it comes to finding cheap airfare. These platforms aggregate prices from multiple airlines, helping you compare and choose the best deal.
Popular Flight Comparison Tools
- Google Flights: Offers a wide range of filtering options and shows price trends for flexible dates.
- Skyscanner: A comprehensive search tool that compares flights across many airlines and travel agencies.
- Kayak: Offers fare predictions and price alerts to help you decide when to book.
By using these tools, you can often find discounts that may not appear directly on airline websites.
4. Take Advantage of Fare Alerts
Fare alerts are an essential tool for finding cheap flights. Many flight comparison platforms allow you to set up alerts for specific routes, notifying you when prices drop or rise. This feature is especially useful if you’re planning a trip months in advance and want to book at the lowest possible fare.
How to Set Fare Alerts
- Visit your preferred flight comparison site (Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak).
- Enter your departure and destination cities along with flexible travel dates.
- Select “Create Price Alert” or similar options to get notifications.
By tracking fare changes, you can pounce on the lowest rates as soon as they become available.
5. Consider Budget Airlines
While budget airlines don’t always offer the same amenities as full-service carriers, they can help you save significant money on short- and medium-haul flights. These airlines typically offer lower base fares but may charge extra for baggage, seat selection, and meals.
Popular Budget Airlines by Region
- Europe: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air
- Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, IndiGo
- North America: Southwest, Spirit, Frontier
- Australia and New Zealand: Jetstar, Tigerair
Tips for Flying Budget Airlines
- Pack light: Avoid extra baggage fees by traveling with only a carry-on bag.
- Bring your own snacks: Many budget airlines don’t provide free meals, so it’s best to bring your own.
- Check fees in advance: Read the fine print on fees for seat selection, priority boarding, and other services to avoid unexpected charges.
6. Book Connecting Flights
While direct flights are more convenient, booking connecting flights can often save you a significant amount of money. Multi-stop flights tend to be cheaper because fewer people opt for them. However, make sure that the layover time is reasonable and allows for potential delays.
How to Find Cheap Connecting Flights
- Use flight comparison tools to search for multi-leg flights and compare prices against direct routes.
- Sometimes booking separate tickets for different legs of your journey can save money, though this can be more complicated to manage in case of delays or missed connections.
7. Use Airline Miles and Credit Card Points
Frequent flyer programs and travel reward credit cards are excellent ways to save on flights. By accumulating miles or points through everyday spending, you can redeem them for free or discounted flights.
Tips for Earning Miles and Points
- Sign up for a travel rewards credit card that offers points or miles for every dollar spent. Many cards also offer sign-up bonuses that can cover the cost of a flight after meeting minimum spending requirements.
- Join airline loyalty programs and make sure to add your frequent flyer number when booking flights to earn miles.
- Use travel portals: Some credit cards have their own travel booking portals where you can redeem points for flights, hotels, and rental cars.
8. Check Nearby Airports
Flying into or out of a nearby secondary airport can sometimes lead to cheaper fares. Many budget airlines operate out of smaller airports, which helps reduce overhead costs and pass the savings on to passengers.
How to Find Cheaper Airport Alternatives
- Use flight comparison tools to search for all nearby airports when booking a flight. Sites like Google Flights let you include multiple airports in your search.
- Look into whether public transport or budget shuttles are available from the alternate airport to your final destination. Sometimes the savings are worth the extra travel time.
9. Clear Your Browser Cookies or Use Incognito Mode
There’s a theory that airlines and booking sites track your search history through cookies, which could cause prices to rise the more you search for the same flight. While this is not definitively proven, using incognito mode or clearing your browser cookies when searching for flights can give you peace of mind that you’re seeing the lowest available prices.
How to Search Incognito
- Open a new browser window in incognito mode (Chrome), private browsing (Firefox), or the equivalent in your browser.
- Search for your flights without storing cookies or tracking history.
10. Use Multi-City and Open-Jaw Tickets
If you’re traveling to multiple cities, booking multi-city or open-jaw tickets can help you save on airfare. Open-jaw tickets allow you to fly into one city and out of another, reducing the need for backtracking and often resulting in lower costs.
Benefits of Multi-City Tickets
- These tickets can often be cheaper than booking separate one-way flights.
- You save on the cost of returning to your original departure city, especially when traveling to different countries or regions.
Conclusion
Finding cheap flights is possible with the right approach, a bit of flexibility, and some insider knowledge. From setting up fare alerts to using flight comparison tools, these strategies will help you score the best deals on your next trip. By applying these tips, you can reduce your travel costs and have more money to spend on experiences during your trip.
FAQ
What is the best time to book a flight?
The best time to book a flight is typically 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2-8 months ahead for international flights. Avoid booking too early or too close to your departure date, as prices tend to be higher.
Are last-minute flights cheaper?
While last-minute deals can sometimes appear, they are rare and risky. It’s generally best to book in advance, but if you’re flexible with dates and destinations, you may find last-minute bargains.
How can I find error fares?
Error fares are rare, but they do happen when airlines accidentally list incorrect prices. To find them, sign up for newsletters and follow social media accounts like Secret Flying or Scott’s Cheap Flights, which notify subscribers about these deals.
Is it cheaper to book flights through third-party websites or directly with airlines?
It depends. Third-party websites often offer lower prices, but booking directly with airlines can provide more flexibility in terms of customer service, changes, and cancellations. It’s worth comparing both to see which offers the best deal.
What are budget airlines, and are they reliable?
Budget airlines, like Ryanair or AirAsia, offer lower fares by cutting back on in-flight amenities and using secondary airports. While they are reliable, it’s important to read the fine print regarding fees for luggage, seat selection, and other services.
Do flight prices really go up if I search the same route multiple times?
There’s some debate over whether this happens, but to be safe, you can clear your browser cookies or use incognito mode when searching for flights. This prevents websites from tracking your searches and potentially raising prices.
