Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, I’m sharing my top tips for finding cheap flights, inspired by the hundreds of flights I’ve booked and insights from some of the best travel bloggers out there, like Nomadic Matt, MyWorldInsights, and HeyNadine. Let’s dive in!
1. Use Travel Search Engines
The search engines I’ve had the best luck with are Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights, and Expedia. These have been the best and most reliable in my opinion. They pull from numerous sites to find the best deals. Sometimes, you can stumble upon flights that are dirt cheap if you can travel on a whim!
2. Stay Alert for Deals
Stay ahead of the curve by signing up for notifications from travel deal sites like Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) and Dollar Flight Club. Follow your favorite airlines on social media and set up fare alerts to catch their limited-time sales. Airlines frequently offer promotional fares that can lead to substantial savings if you act quickly. These platforms will send you alerts about amazing deals, ensuring you’re among the first to know and can snag those low fares.
3. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flexibility is key to finding cheap flights. Travel mid-week, during off-peak seasons, or be open to last-minute trips for lower fares. Instead of specific dates, explore a range of dates to find the best prices. I’ve found that there is no best time of day to book, but that Tuesdays or weekdays are usually cheaper. If you know you have to plan out for a trip- book at least 4-6 weeks in advance. Avoid weekends and holidays if possible. ( although I have had some luck on days like Christmas, and Labor Day so there are exceptions) I really like the layout of Momondo for this reason- they show you which flights are cheaper each day of the week.
4. Browse in Incognito Mode
Use Incognito/Private Browser: Always book flights using an incognito or private web browser to avoid price increases caused by cookies tracking your searches.
5. Use a VPN for Lower Prices
A VPN can help you find cheaper flights by changing your IP address to a different country, revealing lower fares for the same route. Apps like NordVPN protect your privacy and let you explore different pricing options. However, to avoid payment issues, I recommend setting your VPN to a different state rather than a different country. This method has worked for me without any problems.
6. Mix and Match Flights
Consider booking one-way tickets with different airlines or using a combination of budget carriers, or just check different airports in the same city for flights. Sites like Momondo and Skyscanner are excellent for comparing such mix-and-match options. Some budget options aren’t listed on major search engines so I do recommend going to their sites directly.
They are very popular in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Just be mindful of extra fees (listed below) . Some popular include Jetstar, Cebu Pacific, Tiger Air, AirAsia, Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Wow Air. Also, check flights from nearby cities for better deals, especially in Europe and the US, where cities are close together. While budget airlines can offer fantastic prices, they often come with hidden fees and service trade-offs. Always check the fine print to understand what’s included in your ticket and what might incur additional costs.
7. Take Advantage of Your Layover
If there’s a layover, book two separate tickets and enjoy a short stay in the layover city. This strategy can save money and give you a chance to explore new places. However, avoid short layovers of under six hours in case your first flight is delayed.
9. Search for Mistake Fares
With the thousands of flights managed daily, pricing errors happen. Websites like Going.com, sky scanner, and Dollar Flight Club can help you find these mistake fares, offering huge discounts on flights that were accidentally listed at the wrong price.
10. Explore with Google Flights’ Map
Google Flights’ Explore Map tool is a fantastic way to discover the cheapest destinations from your home airport. It’s a visual and interactive way to see where you can travel on a budget and might even inspire your next trip.
11. Set Fare Alerts for Specific Routes
Use tools like Hopper and Google Flights to set up price alerts for specific routes. These tools monitor fares and notify you when prices drop, helping you book at the optimal time.
12. Utilize Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel rewards credit cards can help you earn miles and points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. These cards often come with great sign-up bonuses and ongoing rewards.
13. Join Frequent Flyer Programs
Enroll in loyalty programs with your preferred airlines to earn miles that can be redeemed for future travel discounts. Over time, these miles accumulate and can offer significant savings on flights.
14. Book Through Your Airline
Although I recommend sites like Kayak and Expedia, I often use them as a search tool, then book direct. This can be the best option because it usually offers more flexibility with changes, better customer service, and lower fees. Plus, you’re more likely to receive quicker assistance in case of cancellations or delays.
15. Use Student Discounts
Students often have access to discounted rates through platforms like Student Universe and specific airline programs. If you’re eligible, these discounts can significantly lower your travel costs.
16.) Know Your Flight Rights
I’ve learned a lot from a gal I follow on instagram Erica Kullberg. She shares tips and tricks on how to get compensated fairly if your flight is delayed, how to upgrade to first class, and so much more. Every flight is different, so be sure to read the fine print if you find your flight delayed or canceled.
My Favorite Apps
For finding cheap flights, I recommend using apps like Skyscanner, Momondo, and Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). Canadians should also check out YYZ Deals or Vancouver YVR Deals for local offers.
Here’s a simplified list of each tool and its best use:
- Skyscanner: Best for comparing flight prices across airlines.
- Kayak: Good for comparing flights, hotels, and rentals all in one place.
- Going.com (Scott’s Cheap Flights): Sign up for alerts on last-minute and cheap flight deals.
- Dollar Flight Club: Similar to Going.com, it sends cheap flight deals to your inbox.
- Momondo: Helps compare flight prices day by day.
- Kiwi.com: Great for flexible travel dates and finding cheaper routes.
- Skiplagged: Finds hidden-city fares (cheaper flights with layovers at your destination).
- SeatGuru: Helps you choose the best seats by showing seating charts.
- ITA Matrix: Offers advanced filters for flexible and multi-city flight searches.
- Google Flights: Quick and easy for getting an overview of flight options.
- Expedia: Convenient for booking flights, hotels, and cars together.
- NordVPN: Changes your IP to find regional flight deals.
- Bounce or LuggageHero: Store your luggage while exploring a city.
- Costco Travel Deals: Offers discounts for Costco members on travel bookings.
- Frequent Flyer Programs: Earn points for free flights and perks.
Conclusion
By using these tools and tips, you’ll be able to travel more affordably and efficiently, just like I have! Trust me, if you keep these strategies in mind, you’ll find cheaper flights and make your travel dreams come true.Happy travels, and thanks so much for reading—don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more travel tips!
