Traveling can be an exhilarating experience, but the cost of flights often holds people back from exploring new destinations. Fortunately, finding cheap flights isn’t as elusive as it seems. With a little research, flexibility, and the right tools, you can significantly reduce the cost of airfare. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find cheap flights, packed with insider tips and tricks.
Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
One of the most effective ways to secure cheap flights is to be flexible with your travel dates. Airlines often have different prices for flights depending on the day of the week, time of year, and even time of day. Generally, mid-week flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are cheaper than those on weekends when most people prefer to travel.
Another key factor is the time of year. Traveling during off-peak seasons, such as late January through early March or September through mid-November, can save you a significant amount. These are times when fewer people are flying, so airlines lower prices to fill seats. Conversely, flights during holidays, summer, and spring break periods are usually much more expensive.
Use Flight Search Engines
Flight search engines are essential tools for finding cheap flights. Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak aggregate flights from various airlines, allowing you to compare prices across multiple platforms. These search engines also offer features like price alerts, which notify you when the price of a flight drops.
Google Flights is particularly useful because it allows you to see prices for a range of dates. You can also explore destinations based on your budget, which is great if you’re flexible about where you want to go.
Skyscanner offers a feature where you can search for flights to “Everywhere,” showing you the cheapest destinations from your departure city. This is perfect for travelers looking for an adventure but aren’t tied to a specific destination.
Book Early or at the Last Minute
Timing is everything when it comes to booking cheap flights. While there’s no universal rule, the sweet spot for finding the best deals often lies between booking early and booking at the last minute.
Booking early, typically three to six months in advance, can yield lower prices, especially for international flights. Airlines often offer lower prices as they open their flights for booking to attract early birds.
On the other hand, booking last-minute can also lead to significant savings, though it’s a bit riskier. If an airline hasn’t filled its seats close to the departure date, they may slash prices to encourage last-minute bookings. This strategy works best if you’re flexible with your travel dates and destinations.
Set Fare Alerts
Fare alerts are a powerful tool for finding cheap flights. Most flight search engines and airline websites offer the option to set up fare alerts for specific routes. Once you’ve entered your desired route and dates, you’ll receive notifications when the price drops.
This feature is particularly useful for those who have some time before they need to book. Instead of checking prices daily, you can rely on fare alerts to do the work for you. Some of the best platforms for setting fare alerts include Google Flights, Kayak, and Hopper.
Hopper takes it a step further by predicting whether the flight prices will increase or decrease in the future, advising you whether to book now or wait for a potential price drop.
Consider Nearby Airports
Another often overlooked tip is to consider flying in and out of nearby airports. Major cities typically have more than one airport, and sometimes the smaller or secondary airports have significantly cheaper flights.
For example, if you’re flying to New York City, it’s worth checking flights into Newark (EWR) in addition to JFK and LaGuardia. The same goes for Los Angeles, where flights into Burbank (BUR) or Long Beach (LGB) can be cheaper than LAX.
Similarly, flying out of smaller airports near your departure city can also save you money. Just be sure to factor in the cost and time of getting to and from these airports.
Use Points and Miles
If you’re a frequent traveler or have a credit card that offers travel rewards, using points and miles can significantly reduce or even eliminate the cost of your flights. Most major airlines and credit card companies offer loyalty programs where you can earn points or miles for every dollar spent, which can then be redeemed for flights.
To maximize your points, it’s important to sign up for airline loyalty programs and consider credit cards that offer travel rewards as a sign-up bonus. Additionally, some programs allow you to transfer points between different airlines and hotels, giving you more flexibility in how you use them.
For those new to the world of points and miles, websites like The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets offer comprehensive guides and tips on how to earn and redeem your rewards effectively.
Use Budget Airlines
Budget airlines are a go-to option for finding cheap flights, especially for short-haul or domestic trips. Airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant in the United States, or Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe, offer no-frills flights at rock-bottom prices.
However, it’s important to note that budget airlines often charge extra for things like checked luggage, seat selection, and even carry-on bags. These additional costs can add up, so it’s crucial to read the fine print and factor these into the total cost of your flight.
To avoid surprise fees, travel light, and stick to the airline’s baggage rules. If you’re flying with a budget airline, it might be worth paying a bit more for priority boarding or a seat with extra legroom, especially on longer flights.
Consider Alternate Routes
Sometimes, taking an indirect route to your destination can save you a significant amount of money. This strategy involves booking separate flights for different legs of your journey, often through different airlines or cities.
For example, instead of booking a direct flight from New York to Bangkok, you might find it cheaper to book a flight from New York to Hong Kong and then a separate flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok. While this requires more planning and potentially longer travel times, the savings can be substantial.
Another approach is to use a stopover to your advantage. Some airlines offer free or discounted stopovers in their hub cities, allowing you to visit an additional destination for little or no extra cost. Icelandair, for example, allows travelers to stop in Reykjavik for up to seven days at no additional charge on their way to Europe.
Clear Your Cookies and Use Incognito Mode
There’s a common belief that airlines track your searches and increase prices if they see you’re repeatedly looking at the same route. While there’s debate over how true this is, it doesn’t hurt to take precautions.
Before searching for flights, clear your browser’s cookies or use incognito mode. This prevents the airline’s website from tracking your searches and potentially inflating prices.
Incognito mode also ensures that your search results aren’t influenced by your previous browsing history, giving you a fresh start every time you search for a flight.
Consider Alternative Airlines and Alliances
Major airlines often partner with other airlines, forming alliances that allow you to book flights across multiple carriers. While this is common knowledge, what’s less known is that sometimes booking through a partner airline can be cheaper than booking directly with the airline operating the flight.
For example, if you’re flying from the United States to Europe, you might find a cheaper fare by booking through a European carrier that’s part of the same alliance as the U.S. airline you’re flying with.
Additionally, consider flying with smaller or lesser-known airlines that might not show up on major search engines. Some of these airlines offer competitive fares to attract customers, especially on less popular routes.
Take Advantage of Error Fares
Error fares, also known as mistake fares, occur when airlines accidentally list flights at significantly lower prices than intended, usually due to a technical glitch or human error. These fares can lead to incredible deals, sometimes hundreds of dollars below the regular price.
To find error fares, you need to be quick and vigilant. Websites like Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Airfarewatchdog specialize in tracking and posting these deals. If you come across an error fare, book it immediately as airlines often correct the mistake within hours.
It’s worth noting that while most airlines honor error fares, there’s always a risk that your booking could be canceled. However, if your booking is confirmed, you could be in for one of the cheapest flights of your life.
Finding cheap flights requires a combination of research, flexibility, and a bit of luck. By using these insider tips and tricks, you can maximize your chances of scoring a great deal on airfare. Whether it’s by being flexible with your travel dates, using flight search engines, taking advantage of loyalty programs, or even hunting for error fares, there are plenty of strategies to help you travel without breaking the bank. Happy travels!