How to Find Cheap Flights: Insider Travel Tips

Finding affordable flights can be challenging, especially with prices fluctuating throughout the year. In this article, we’ll explore how to find cheap flights by using insider travel tips that frequent flyers swear by. Whether you're planning a spontaneous getaway or a long-anticipated vacation, these strategies will help you save money on airfare.

Timing is Everything

Planning ahead can save you a significant amount of money when booking flights. Airlines often release tickets up to a year in advance, and prices tend to be lower when purchased early. As your travel date approaches, fares generally increase, particularly in the final weeks before departure.

Use Price Alerts

Setting up price alerts on flight comparison websites allows you to monitor fare changes. These alerts notify you when the price for your desired route drops, giving you a chance to snag a great deal. Some tools even predict price trends, helping you decide whether to book now or wait.

Fly on Off-Peak Days

Flying on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is often cheaper than weekend travel. Flights are typically more expensive during peak travel times, such as holidays and weekends. Flexibility with your departure and return dates can yield significant savings.

Compare Seasonal Variations

Flight prices can vary depending on the season. Travel during off-season periods, like shoulder seasons (just before or after peak travel times), can help you find more affordable flights. For instance, traveling to Europe in the fall or spring is generally less expensive than summer months.

Choose Nearby Airports

Sometimes flying into a smaller or nearby airport can be significantly cheaper than flying into a major hub. Search for flights to alternative airports near your destination, and compare the prices.

Take Advantage of Stopover Cities

If you don't mind a longer travel time, choosing a flight with a stopover can save you money. Some airlines offer free stopovers in certain cities, allowing you to explore an extra destination for no additional cost.

Prevent Price Increases by Searching Privately

Airlines and travel websites often track your search history using cookies. When they see you repeatedly searching for the same route, they may increase the prices. To avoid this, use incognito mode or clear your cookies while searching.

Use Different Locations to Search

Using a VPN can help you find better deals by changing your virtual location. Prices for the same flight can differ based on where you are searching from. Try searching from different countries to see if you can get a better price.

Get Real-Time Updates on Flight Deals

Many airlines and travel platforms offer fare alerts and newsletters that provide information on current deals and promotions. Subscribing to these can help you stay ahead of price drops or flash sales that may only last a short time.

Sign Up for Exclusive Deals with Airlines

Joining airline mailing lists or becoming a member of their frequent flyer programs can give you access to members-only discounts and early access to sales.

Maximize the Value of Meta-Search Engines

Websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak aggregate flight options from multiple airlines, making it easier to compare prices. These platforms allow you to filter results based on your preferences, such as nonstop flights, shortest travel time, or lowest fare.

Explore Alternative Search Engines

While major search engines are popular, don't overlook alternative sites like Momondo or ITA Matrix. These lesser-known platforms sometimes provide better deals or additional flight options that aren’t displayed on mainstream sites.

Best Days to Book

Historically, flights tend to be cheapest when booked on Tuesday afternoons. This is when airlines release new fares and promotions. However, prices can fluctuate, so it’s essential to monitor trends and book when prices drop.

Ideal Time Before Departure to Buy

Booking too early or too late can both lead to higher prices. The sweet spot for booking domestic flights is generally 1-3 months in advance, while international flights are best booked 2-6 months ahead.

Understand Low-Cost Carrier Perks

Budget airlines, like Ryanair and Spirit, often offer extremely low base fares. However, you’ll need to be mindful of additional costs, such as fees for luggage, seat selection, and onboard services.

Check Hidden Fees

When booking with a low-cost carrier, carefully review their fee structure. While the initial fare may be low, extras like checked bags, meals, and seat upgrades can quickly add up, sometimes making the final cost more expensive than a standard airline.

Leverage Credit Card Rewards

If you frequently travel, consider signing up for a travel rewards credit card. Many cards offer generous sign-up bonuses that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, or other travel perks. By using your card for everyday purchases, you can accumulate points that can be applied to your next trip.

Join Airline Loyalty Programs

Most airlines have loyalty programs that reward frequent travelers with miles that can be redeemed for future flights. Even if you don’t fly often, joining these programs can help you accumulate miles over time. Some airlines even allow you to combine points with partners or transfer them to other rewards programs.

Mix and Match Airlines

Booking one-way tickets with different airlines can sometimes result in cheaper fares than purchasing a round-trip ticket from a single carrier. This strategy allows you to select the most cost-effective flights for each leg of your journey. Using flight comparison sites will make it easy to see which airlines offer the best deals for one-way trips.

Round Trip vs. One-Way Savings

While round-trip tickets are often more convenient, they aren’t always the best option for saving money. Compare the costs of one-way flights to see if you can find a better deal. Keep in mind, however, that some airlines offer discounts for round-trip bookings, so it’s important to weigh both options carefully.

Skip Seat Selection

Some airlines charge extra for seat selection, but if you don’t have a strong preference for where you sit, it’s an unnecessary cost. Skipping this step can save you a few dollars, and many times, you’ll still get a decent seat at no additional cost when checking in.

Pack Light to Avoid Baggage Fees

Many budget airlines charge for checked luggage and sometimes even for carry-on bags. Traveling with just a personal item that fits under the seat can save you money on baggage fees. Packing light also makes it easier to navigate airports and get through security faster.

Currency Conversion Savings

If you’re flying internationally, it might be cheaper to book your ticket in a foreign currency, especially if the exchange rate is in your favor. Some airlines allow you to choose your preferred currency when booking, so be sure to compare the costs in both your local currency and the currency of the airline’s country.

Research Local Market Prices

Flight prices can vary depending on where the ticket is being sold. By using a VPN or changing your location during the search process, you can sometimes find lower fares in other countries. Be cautious, however, as some airlines may add foreign transaction fees, so it’s important to check with your credit card provider beforehand.

Get Free Checked Bags and Priority Boarding

Airline credit cards often offer perks like free checked baggage, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases. These benefits can save you money, especially if you travel frequently. Some cards even provide companion tickets, which allow a second passenger to fly for free or at a reduced rate.

Earn Extra Miles on Every Purchase

Using an airline-affiliated credit card for everyday purchases allows you to accumulate miles that can be redeemed for free flights. Many cards offer bonus miles for specific categories like dining or travel, so you can rack up rewards faster. Additionally, some cards offer sign-up bonuses that can get you a free flight after meeting a minimum spending requirement.

Fly During Shoulder Seasons

Shoulder seasons, which are the periods just before or after the peak travel season, are ideal for finding cheaper flights. During these times, there is less demand for flights, which often results in lower prices. For example, traveling to tropical destinations just after the rainy season or to Europe in the fall can help you avoid the crowds and save money.

Travel During Weekdays

Flying on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Wednesdays, is often less expensive than weekend flights. This is because most travelers prefer to fly on weekends, leading to higher demand and, therefore, higher prices. If you’re flexible with your schedule, booking a midweek flight can significantly reduce your costs.

Explore Deals to Lesser-Known Destinations

Instead of sticking to popular tourist destinations, consider flying to lesser-known or alternative cities. These locations often have fewer visitors, which can lead to cheaper flights. For example, instead of flying into Paris, you could fly into a nearby city like Brussels and take a train to your final destination. Exploring less crowded areas can also provide a more authentic travel experience.

Take Advantage of Flash Sales

Airlines sometimes offer flash sales with deeply discounted tickets for a limited time. These deals are often unadvertised and can disappear quickly, so it’s important to act fast when you find one. Being open to spontaneous travel and flexible with your destinations can help you take advantage of these sales.

1. What is the best day to book cheap flights?

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often considered the best days to book flights, as airlines tend to release deals and discounts on these days. However, it’s essential to monitor prices regularly since they can fluctuate.

2. How far in advance should I book to get the cheapest flights?

For domestic flights, booking 1-3 months in advance is typically the sweet spot for finding low prices. For international travel, it’s best to book 2-6 months ahead to secure the best deals.

3. Can using a VPN really help find cheaper flights?

Yes, using a VPN to change your virtual location can sometimes result in lower flight prices. Airlines may offer different prices depending on the country you’re searching from, so it’s worth trying different locations to find a better deal.

4. Is it cheaper to fly with budget airlines?

Budget airlines often offer lower base fares than traditional carriers. However, they also charge extra fees for things like checked luggage, seat selection, and in-flight services, so it’s important to factor in these costs when comparing prices.

5. Are last-minute flights cheaper?

In most cases, last-minute flights are more expensive, as airlines increase prices closer to the departure date. However, if airlines need to fill empty seats, they may offer discounts at the last minute, though this is less common.

6. How can I avoid baggage fees?

To avoid baggage fees, consider packing light and traveling with just a personal item that fits under the seat. Some airlines also offer credit cards that waive baggage fees for cardholders, so this is another option to explore.

Finding cheap flights requires a bit of flexibility, strategy, and planning, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach. By using these insider travel tips, you can save money and enjoy your trip without breaking the bank. Remember to book early, stay flexible with dates and destinations, and take advantage of points, miles, and credit card perks.