Finding affordable flights can make a huge difference in your overall travel budget. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your first trip, here are some tried-and-true strategies for snagging the best deals on airfare.
1. Use Fare Comparison Websites
One of the easiest ways to find cheap flights is by using fare comparison websites that pull data from various airlines. Popular options include:
- Google Flights: Offers a user-friendly interface and filters by airline, duration, and number of stops.
- Skyscanner: Ideal for comparing a broad range of airlines, including budget carriers.
- Kayak: Allows you to set up alerts and check fare trends.
- Momondo: Known for finding hidden or lesser-known deals.
By comparing across multiple platforms, you can ensure you’re getting the best price for your flight.
2. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flexibility is key when searching for cheap flights. Consider adjusting your travel dates to off-peak times or midweek flights, which are often cheaper than weekend departures. Here’s how flexibility can help:
- Fly Midweek: Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheaper days to fly.
- Avoid Holidays: Flights around major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s are often more expensive.
- Use Date Grids: Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner offer calendar views that show the cheapest flight dates.
3. Book in Advance (But Not Too Far)
While last-minute deals exist, booking early is generally the best way to score lower fares. However, there’s a sweet spot for finding the lowest prices:
- Domestic Flights: Booking 1 to 3 months in advance usually yields the best deals.
- International Flights: For long-haul flights, aim to book 6 to 8 months ahead.
- Beware of Booking Too Early: Booking a year in advance may not always result in savings, as airlines may not have released their discounted fares yet.
4. Set Fare Alerts
Fare alerts are an excellent way to track price drops without constantly checking websites. Most fare comparison platforms offer email or app notifications:
- Google Flights Alerts: Track prices for specific routes and get notifications when they drop.
- Hopper App: This app uses historical data to predict when flight prices will rise or fall and alerts you when it’s the best time to book.
- Skyscanner and Kayak Alerts: Both platforms allow you to set up multiple flight alerts and notify you when prices change.
5. Understand Flight Pricing Trends
Flight pricing can seem random, but there are a few trends that can help you predict when prices might drop:
- Prices Usually Drop on Tuesdays: Airlines often release deals on Monday nights, leading to lower fares on Tuesday.
- Avoid Booking on Weekends: Prices tend to spike over the weekend when demand increases.
- Check for Flash Sales: Airlines occasionally run short-term flash sales, especially during off-peak seasons or anniversaries.
6. Search for One-Way or Multi-City Flights
Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets can be cheaper than a round-trip fare, especially if you’re flexible with airlines. Additionally, multi-city itineraries (flying into one city and out of another) can save you money on multi-destination trips:
- Use Multi-City Tools: Websites like Kayak and Google Flights allow you to easily search for multi-city flight combinations.
- Check Budget Airlines: Sometimes mixing budget carriers for different legs of your trip can lead to savings.
7. Consider Budget Airlines (But Read the Fine Print)
Budget airlines such as Ryanair, Spirit, or EasyJet often offer incredibly cheap fares, but be aware of their additional fees. While the base ticket may be cheap, charges for luggage, seat selection, or even printing your boarding pass can quickly add up:
- Check Baggage Fees: Make sure the cost of baggage doesn’t negate the savings from the low ticket price.
- Factor in Other Fees: Budget airlines may also charge for things like meals, seat selection, and carry-on bags.
8. Fly to Nearby Airports
Some destinations may have alternative airports that are cheaper to fly into. For example:
- Flying into Oakland instead of San Francisco
- Choosing London Gatwick over Heathrow
- Arriving at Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami
These nearby airports often have cheaper fares, and the added travel time is sometimes minimal compared to the savings.
9. Use Airline Points and Miles
Frequent flyer programs can help you reduce flight costs significantly if you build up enough points. Even if you’re not a frequent traveler, signing up for a rewards program and credit cards offering airline miles can help you save:
- Credit Card Bonuses: Many travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can be used to cover flights.
- Points Alerts: Some websites like The Points Guy track the best ways to earn and redeem points for maximum value.
10. Book Directly with Airlines (Sometimes)
After using comparison websites to find the cheapest fare, always check the airline’s official website. Sometimes airlines will offer direct booking discounts or extra perks that third-party websites won’t have. Also, booking directly with the airline can make managing changes or cancellations easier.