Picture this: you’re casually browsing for your next adventure when you stumble upon a round-trip ticket to Paris for less than the cost of a nice dinner. How can you possibly say no? Suddenly, you’re booking time off work, making itineraries, looking up hours for The Louvre, and getting excited about another great adventure.
When you’re planning a trip for a specific time to a certain place, however, finding a fantastic deal seems a bit harder. But is it? With some flexibility and patience (and super secret insider tips and tricks), you’ll be surprised at all the great flight deals you can find to help shave the costs off of a dream vacation.
From when to book to what to look for, here’s a fantastic cheat sheet for finding flight deals while planning your next big getaway.
Rule #1 for Finding Cheap Flights: Flexibility is Key
When seeking cheap flights, you need to be flexible! Here are some big considerations:
Stick to Off-Season Travel for Best Flight Deals
The time of year you travel matters. If you can swing it, travelling during off-peak times, such as mid-to-late January or early February, can yield significant savings. Avoiding high-travel times, like the Christmas holidays, school breaks, long weekends, et cetera, will help you save a lot of money – and give you more options.
Try Different Dates to Reveal Cheap Airfare
Typically, flying out mid-week is cheaper than jet-setting on a weekend. But that’s not always true. Luckily, some platforms, like Skyscanner and Google Flights, allow you to check for date ranges in your search parameters. That way, you can compare leaving on a Wednesday versus a Saturday and see if adjusting your plans will be worth the savings. By being flexible on what day (or time) you can leave (or return), you can save quite a bit of cash.
Consider Alternative Airports
Another essential tip is to consider alternative airports. Flying into or out of a smaller or nearby airport can save you substantial money. For example, while travelling to Rome, you could easily fly into Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport. Similarly, in the UK, Heathrow or Gatwick will get you into London. When searching nearby airports, make sure to factor in the cost and time of ground transportation from these airports to your final destination.
Check Out Multiple Destinations
Sometimes, you want a specific vibe (like a beach vacation or a city getaway), and the destination can be fluid. If that’s the case, you can pick a few destinations that sound like fun and compare and contrast the cost of flights across multiple options before deciding on where you’re going.
Watch for Sales
Some airlines occasionally have flight deals, so be sure to visit their websites, join their mailing lists, and stay vigilant.
Tools and Resources for Cheap Flight Searches
Flight Comparison Websites and Apps
Flight comparison tools are excellent for comparing prices across multiple airlines and booking sites, ensuring you get the best deal possible. Many also allow you to set up alerts for price drops, so you’ll be notified when fares for your desired route decrease.
You can search and compare cheap flights on platforms and apps such as:
- Google Flights, which aggregates flights and has a wide variety of filtering options to help you zero in on great deals.
- Kayak, which acts like a search engine for travel deals and helps users search across multiple sites at once to help you compare and contrast airfare costs.
- Skyscanner, a search aggregator app that communicates directly with airlines to offer the best prices.
- Hopper, which allows you to book flights and put flights on watchlists.
Remember to visit the airline website directly and compare what’s available to what’s listed on booking platforms. Sometimes, the prices differ; it’s best to double-check to ensure you get the lowest possible price.
Flight Deal Newsletters
There are dozens of great newsletters you can sign up for and follow to catch cheap flights as they arise. A few to consider include:
- Jack’s Flight Club (for flights in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe)
- Thrifty Traveler (boasts saving clients an average of $250)
- Cheap Flights Newsletter from I Want That Flight
Your favourite travel agent may also have a newsletter worth signing up for!
The Best Time to Buy Flights for Optimal Pricing
When seeking cheap airfare options, timing is crucial. While there’s no magic day to buy, research suggests the best time to buy flights for domestic destinations is 2-3 months in advance and 5-6 months ahead for international trips. Keep an eye on fare trends, and don’t hesitate to book when you see a cheap flight deal.
Strategies for Scoring Deals
While timing is important, there are other little tactics you can use to find even greater savings.
Incognito Mode & Cookies
Airline websites and booking engines use cookies to track your searches. This can sometimes result in higher prices if they see you repeatedly searching for the same route. To avoid getting fed misleading prices, clear your cookies and cache or use your browser’s incognito mode when searching for flights. Outsmart the airlines by searching from different devices and IP addresses as well.
Monitor for Airline Error Fares
Airline error fares are among the most exciting ways to score super-cheap flights. These occur when airlines accidentally list incorrect prices due to technical glitches, mistaken currency conversions, or human error. Websites like Secret Flying and Airfarewatchdog often share these fares – but you have to act fast as they’re usually corrected quickly. Be warned: airlines may cancel these tickets even after purchase. If you catch an error fare, wait a few days before cementing non-refundable plans.
Look at Budget Airlines and Regional Carriers
Flying with budget airlines can save you a ton of money. While they often charge extra for baggage and seat selection, the base fare is usually much lower than traditional carriers.
Many countries and regions, like Canada, Japan, South Africa, and South America, have regional carriers that can get you to your destination for much less and can be booked separately from your primary international flight. Search for these regional flights, their pricing, and schedules to see if you can shave a few dollars off the total cost of flying.
Try the Hidden Cities Hack
Another hack to save money on flights is hidden city ticketing. This tactic allows fliers to get less-expensive nonstop tickets by booking a flight that connects to a different final destination. In this scenario, you simply use your ticket to fly to your destination (the layover point) and skip out on the final leg of the journey. Sites like Skiplagged can help you find these types of tickets, but be cautious if you also try this tactic. Airlines frown upon this practice, and it comes with risks, such as potential cancellation of your return flight.
Score Regional Discounts
Sometimes, booking flights from different regions can result in cheaper airfare. This is especially true for international travel. For instance, booking flights originating in Europe “from Europe” might be more affordable than those booked to/from the same destination from the USA. Use a VPN like NordVPN or Express VPN and check prices from different “locations” and see if you can snag a better deal.
Try Adding in Layovers and Stopovers
Turning layovers into mini-trips is a fantastic way to add value to your travels. Many airlines (including TAP Air Portugal and Iceland Air in Europe, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways in the Middle East, and Copa Airlines in Central America) offer free stopover programs, allowing you to spend a few days in a layover city without extra cost. This can be a great way to explore an additional destination without adding to your overall airfare budget.
Maximizing Savings
Bundling Travel
Bundling your travel arrangements can help you save money on your entire vacation. Booking your flight, hotel, and/or car rental at the same time often offers discounts. Travel websites like Expedia and Booking.com offer package deals that save you money compared to booking each component separately.
Using Points and Miles
Don’t forget about frequent flyer programs! Sign up for airline loyalty programs. Many leading airline carriers are covered under one of two points programs: One World or Star Alliance. Sign up for both, and you can accumulate points almost every time you fly.
Many credit cards also allow you to collect travel points and air miles when you shop for everyday items. Do research and pick a card that helps you accumulate points fast or offers points just for signing up. Accumulating points and miles can lead to free or heavily discounted flights. Use these rewards strategically, combining them with cash bookings to maximize your savings.
Practical Considerations
Save Money on Flights by Avoiding Baggage Fees
Baggage fees can add up quickly, turning a cheap flight into an expensive one. When booking, check the airline’s baggage policy and opt for carriers with reasonable fees. Pack light and use carry-on luggage whenever possible to avoid these charges. When booking, pay close attention to carry-on sizes so you aren’t surprised at the airport and are forced to pay a checked baggage fee.
Some credit cards offer baggage fee reimbursement as a perk, so check the terms on your card!
Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
While it might seem like an unnecessary expense when trying hard to keep costs low, travel insurance can save you money in the long run. Insurance can cover unexpected events like flight cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. So spend a little extra on insurance and gain peace of mind and financial protection when paying for your trip.
Conclusion: Finding Flight Deals in 2024 is Possible!
Finding cheap flights in 2024 doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can reduce travel costs by being flexible, using the right tools, and employing clever strategies. Experiment with these tips and see which methods work best for you. Travel is about the journey as much as the destination, and scoring a great deal makes the adventure even sweeter. Good Luck!
