In an era of increased global mobility and travel, finding cheap flights has become more important than ever for travelers seeking to explore the world without breaking the bank. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, an international adventure, or a last-minute business trip, there are plenty of strategies and tools to help you snag affordable airfare. However, with airfare prices constantly fluctuating due to demand, seasonality, and even fuel costs, it can feel overwhelming to track down the best deals.
This guide will walk you through proven tips, tricks, and insider knowledge on how to consistently find the cheapest flights in 2024. From using search engines and leveraging loyalty programs to booking strategically, this guide covers everything you need to know to become a flight-booking pro.
1. Start with Price Comparison Search Engines
When it comes to finding cheap flights, your first move should always be to use a price comparison search engine. These platforms aggregate flight data from multiple airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs), making it easy to compare prices in one place. The top comparison engines offer robust features for tracking flight prices, filtering results, and setting up alerts for when prices drop.
Some of the best tools to start your search include:
- Google Flights: One of the most reliable tools for tracking airfare trends. Google Flights allows you to search for flights based on flexible dates and locations, showing price trends over time. It also features price alerts, so you’ll be notified when a fare drops.
- Skyscanner: Known for its “Everywhere” feature, which helps you find cheap flights to random destinations, Skyscanner is great for flexible travelers. It also lets you search entire months or specific dates for the best deals.
- Momondo: Momondo often shows lower fares by including smaller OTAs that larger search engines may overlook. It also provides helpful data on whether booking now is ideal or if you should wait.
- Kayak: This site compares multiple airlines and OTAs, offering insights into the cheapest days to fly, price history, and notifications on fare drops.
By using these search engines, you can quickly find the cheapest options available across multiple airlines. Always remember to filter results based on preferences like layovers, airlines, or specific times to streamline your search.
2. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Flexibility is key to finding cheap flights. Airfares fluctuate based on a number of factors, and the day you choose to fly can make a significant difference in the price. Midweek flights, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper because fewer people travel on these days. On the other hand, weekends and holidays generally see higher demand, which drives up the cost of flights.
Additionally, if your travel dates are flexible, consider using the “whole month” view feature on Google Flights or Skyscanner to see which days offer the best prices. Traveling during shoulder seasons—just before or after peak tourist months—can also save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Fly on Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) like Ryanair, EasyJet, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines are often the cheapest way to fly, especially for shorter or domestic routes. While budget airlines tend to offer no-frills services, the savings can be substantial if you’re willing to forego extras like free checked baggage or complimentary meals.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking with budget airlines:
- Beware of Hidden Fees: Budget airlines often charge additional fees for services that may be included with traditional carriers, such as checked luggage, seat selection, and even carry-on baggage. Be sure to read the fine print when booking to avoid surprises.
- Flexible Booking Options: Some budget airlines now offer flexible booking options for a small fee, which can be useful if your travel plans change.
- Pack Light: If you want to save on baggage fees, try to travel with just a carry-on. Ensure your carry-on meets the size and weight restrictions of the airline to avoid extra charges.
In addition to domestic flights, many budget airlines operate on international routes, so don’t overlook them when planning trips abroad.
4. Book at the Right Time
Timing your booking is one of the most crucial elements of securing cheap flights. While conventional wisdom once suggested booking as early as possible, recent studies indicate that the sweet spot for finding the best deals is typically between 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2-8 months for international flights.
For peak travel seasons—like summer vacations or holidays—consider booking even earlier. However, if you’re traveling during an off-peak period, you can sometimes find last-minute deals. Some additional tips include:
- Use Price Alerts: Set up fare alerts through Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper. These alerts notify you when prices drop, helping you snag deals at the best time.
- Track Price Trends: Some tools, like Google Flights and Hopper, analyze historical flight data and tell you whether prices are likely to rise or fall, so you know when to book.
- Book on the Right Day: According to some research, the best day to book a flight is typically Tuesday or Wednesday, as airlines tend to release promotions early in the week.
5. Consider Alternate Airports
Flying into or out of a different airport can often save you money. Major cities often have multiple airports, and flying out of a secondary or regional airport can lead to significant savings. For example, if you’re flying to New York City, compare fares for JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Similarly, travelers to Los Angeles may find cheaper flights out of Burbank or Long Beach rather than LAX.
To make this strategy work, be sure to check the cost and time of getting to and from alternate airports. Sometimes the savings on airfare can be offset by additional transportation expenses, so calculate carefully.
6. Look for Stopover Deals
While non-stop flights are generally the most convenient, choosing a flight with layovers can be a great way to save money. If you’re willing to spend a bit more time in transit, flights with one or two stopovers are often significantly cheaper than direct flights.
In some cases, you can even use a stopover program to explore a new city without extra airfare costs. For instance, airlines like Icelandair and Singapore Airlines allow travelers to add extended layovers in their hub cities, providing a bonus mini-trip en route to your final destination.
7. Use Airline Loyalty Programs and Miles
Frequent flyers can take advantage of airline loyalty programs and credit card reward points to reduce flight costs. Most major airlines have reward programs that allow you to earn miles for every flight, which can later be redeemed for free or discounted tickets. Programs like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or American Airlines AAdvantage offer regular promotions and bonuses for loyal customers.
Additionally, travel credit cards often offer sign-up bonuses in the form of miles or points that can be redeemed for flights. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, or Capital One Venture Rewards provide excellent travel benefits, including:
- Bonus Points for Travel Purchases: Earn extra points when booking flights or travel-related expenses.
- Free or Discounted Flights: Redeem points or miles for free flights or significant discounts.
- Additional Perks: Many travel credit cards come with perks like free checked baggage, airport lounge access, and travel insurance.
By maximizing loyalty programs and credit card rewards, you can often fly for a fraction of the usual price—or even for free.
8. Look for Error Fares and Flash Sales
One of the best ways to snag incredibly cheap flights is by taking advantage of error fares or flash sales. Airlines occasionally make pricing mistakes, leading to flights being sold at a fraction of their normal cost. These deals don’t last long, so speed is key to booking them.
Websites and platforms that help you find error fares and flash sales include:
- Scott’s Cheap Flights: A popular subscription service that alerts users to error fares and cheap international flights.
- Secret Flying: A free website that posts error fares and flash sales as they are found, covering a wide range of destinations.
- Airfarewatchdog: A site that tracks airline sales and fare drops, sending you alerts when prices fall below average.
Be aware that some error fares may be canceled by airlines once they realize the mistake, though many airlines choose to honor them.
9. Clear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode
There’s a common belief that flight prices increase when you repeatedly search for the same route. Although some industry insiders claim this is a myth, it’s not a bad idea to take precautions. To avoid potential price hikes, try searching for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser’s cookies before each search. This can help ensure you’re seeing the lowest available fares.
10. Bundle with Other Travel Services
Many online travel agencies and airlines offer package deals that combine flights with hotels, car rentals, or other services at a discount. Websites like Expedia, Priceline, and Orbitz offer vacation packages that can sometimes save you hundreds compared to booking everything separately.
While this approach works best for vacation destinations, even business travelers can benefit from booking flights and hotels together. Be sure to compare package prices to stand-alone bookings to ensure you’re getting the best deal.