Flights can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling, but with the right strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare. Whether you’re planning a last-minute getaway or a long-term adventure, knowing how to find the cheapest flights can make all the difference. This guide will show you the best tips and tricks to book flights at the lowest prices every time.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
One of the easiest ways to save money on flights is by being flexible with your travel dates. Flight prices fluctuate based on demand, holidays, and time of year. Here’s how to take advantage of it:
- Fly on weekdays – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are usually the cheapest days to fly.
- Avoid peak seasons – Prices skyrocket during holidays, summer, and school breaks. Instead, travel during the off-season for lower fares.
- Use fare comparison tools – Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to see prices for different dates, helping you find the cheapest option.
👉 Pro Tip: Use Google Flights’ “Date Grid” or “Price Graph” to compare prices across multiple dates.
2. Book Flights at the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to getting the best airfare deals. Here are some general rules to follow:
- Domestic flights – Book 1-3 months in advance.
- International flights – Book 2-6 months in advance.
- Last-minute deals – If you’re flexible, check budget airlines for last-minute discounts.
Some tools like Hopper analyze flight trends and predict the best times to book based on historical data.
👉 Pro Tip: Prices tend to be lowest 6-8 weeks before departure for domestic flights and 2-4 months before for international flights.
3. Use Flight Search Engines & Price Alerts
Not all booking websites show the same prices. To find the best deals, use multiple flight search engines. The best ones include:
- Google Flights – Great for comparing fares and setting price alerts.
- Skyscanner – Searches a wide range of airlines, including budget carriers.
- Momondo – Often finds hidden deals not listed elsewhere.
- Hopper – Predicts whether flight prices will rise or fall.
👉 Pro Tip: Set up price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner to get notified when fares drop.
4. Fly with Budget Airlines
Budget airlines offer significantly cheaper fares than major carriers, especially for short-haul flights. Some of the best budget airlines include:
- Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air
- Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, VietJet Air
- North America: Southwest, Frontier, Spirit Airlines
- South America: JetSmart, Sky Airline
- Australia: Jetstar, Tigerair
⚠️ Warning: Budget airlines often charge extra fees for baggage, seat selection, and even printing your boarding pass. Always read the fine print!
5. Consider Alternative Airports & Routes
Flying into smaller or secondary airports can sometimes save you a lot of money. For example:
- Instead of London Heathrow (LHR), try London Gatwick (LGW) or Stansted (STN).
- Instead of New York JFK, check flights to Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA).
- Instead of Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), look for flights to Beauvais (BVA).
👉 Pro Tip: Sometimes booking a separate budget flight to a nearby city and taking a train or bus to your final destination can be cheaper than a direct flight.
6. Use Incognito Mode When Searching
Many travelers believe that airlines track their searches and increase prices if they see repeated interest. While the accuracy of this is debated, using incognito mode or clearing your cookies when searching for flights is a smart habit.
How to activate incognito mode:
- Chrome: Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac).
- Safari: Press Command + Shift + N (Mac).
- Firefox: Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac).
7. Take Advantage of Airline Mistake Fares
Airlines sometimes publish incorrect fares due to technical glitches or human error. When this happens, you can score massive discounts—sometimes hundreds of dollars off a flight!
- Websites like Secret Flying, Scott’s Cheap Flights, and Airfarewatchdog track and share mistake fares.
- If you find a mistake fare, book immediately before the airline corrects the price.
⚠️ Tip: Never call the airline to confirm a mistake fare. If they realize the error, they may cancel it!
8. Use Frequent Flyer Miles & Travel Rewards
If you travel often, signing up for airline loyalty programs and travel credit cards can help you save big on flights.
- Join airline loyalty programs (like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or British Airways Avios) to earn free flights.
- Use travel credit cards that offer points for flights, hotels, and more. Some of the best travel cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Capital One Venture Rewards
- American Express Platinum
👉 Pro Tip: Many credit cards offer a welcome bonus that can cover the cost of your next flight!
9. Book One-Way Tickets or Separate Airlines
Sometimes booking two separate one-way flights (rather than a round-trip ticket) can be cheaper—especially if you mix and match airlines.
For example:
- Instead of booking a round-trip on United Airlines, try flying outbound with United and returning with American Airlines.
👉 Pro Tip: Use Kiwi.com to search for multi-airline routes and hidden fares.
10. Be Open to Flight Deals & Flash Sales
If you don’t have a fixed destination in mind, let the deals decide where you go! Some websites and apps that track cheap flights include:
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – Alerts you to the best flight deals.
- Secret Flying – Lists flash sales and mistake fares.
- The Flight Deal – Shares limited-time airfare discounts.
👉 Pro Tip: Use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search to find the cheapest destinations from your location.