Planning travel is wonderful, but what do you do when your bank account screams, “I’ve had enough.”
Don’t give up. It’s time for some strategic planning. If you Google “hacks for the cheapest flights,” you’ll find many solutions.
Maybe you don’t need more money for your next trip, you may need helpful flight deal hacks. I’ll share my travel tips to help you book flights at incredible prices here. Travel math is simple: if we find cheap flight tickets, we haven’t spent money but saved it, right?
So, whether you’re in Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, Denver or Orlando, let’s explore some useful hacks for your next trip.
1. Google Flights: The Art of the Cheap Flight Search
When it comes to finding cheap flights, the best advice is research, research and more research. When money is a concern, you want to explore all your options before choosing the best flight.
So, to save you time, I recommend using the Google Flights search engine.
Google Flights allows you to quickly and easily compare costs across many sites, allowing you to find the cheapest flights. If you have flexible dates, it also allows you to search the calendar for the cheapest days.
If you want to search more, I also recommend Kayak, Momondo and Skyscanner.
Setting up price alerts on Skyscanner is also a smart move since it will notify you when ticket prices drop for your selected route.
Another great hack is to check nearby airports, which can sometimes cut the cost by up to 50 percent. That’s something, right?
2. Cheap Airfares: Focus on When You Fly, Not When You Book
Here’s the truth about timing: when you fly matters more than when you book. The old myth about booking flights on Tuesdays for the best deals has been largely debunked by travel experts and airline data.
Flight prices change constantly – sometimes multiple times per day – based on demand, competition, and complex airline algorithms. You can find great deals any day of the week.
However, the days you choose to fly can save you serious money. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to travel, both domestically and internationally. Why? Because these are off-peak days when fewer people want to fly.
Try to avoid the busiest travel days of the week which are Sundays, Mondays and Fridays – though occasionally you might find surprise deals on these days too.
3. What About Last-Minute Flights?
From my experience, taking last-minute flights is generally not a good idea.
Because who buys last-minute plane tickets?
Usually, those who need to get somewhere urgently or have had a last-minute change in plans. And they’re generally willing to spend even more at that point. Airlines are aware of this, so waiting until the last minute is often a great way to spend far more money than you planned.
Of course, you might be lucky, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Especially if you’re on a budget.
4. Avoid Peak Travel Times
Your budget loves off-peak travel dates, such as mid-January to mid-March or late September to early November.
If you’re flexible with dates, I recommend tools like Google Flights’ “Explore” function. It can show you the cheapest flight prices across various dates and destinations.
Also, if you book at least two to three months in advance for domestic flights and three to five months for international flights, your budget will certainly appreciate such solid planning.
5. Consider Low-Cost Carriers Like Ryanair
For your next trip, consider low-cost airlines. It can be a game-changer for your budget.
For example, airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet often offer prices as cheap as $20 for short-haul flights inside Europe.
That’s how I got from Croatia to Switzerland for only 20 euros. Perfect for spontaneous getaways, right?
However, keep an eye on extra fees; many budget carriers charge for things such as checked baggage and seat selection.
Also, I read somewhere that in 2022, nearly 70% of travelers reported saving up to 50% on flights by selecting low-cost options. Now it sounds like something worth trying, right?
6. The Truth About Price Tracking and Incognito Mode
If you are an experienced cheap flight ticket hunter, you probably have heard of these two hacks, but let me set the record straight.
First, alerts.
Search engines such as Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to set alerts for specific routes. For example, if you want to fly from San Francisco to London, you can input your travel dates and receive notifications when prices drop. This is genuinely helpful.
Second, Incognito mode.
You may have heard that airlines track your searches and raise prices if you search repeatedly for the same route. This is largely a myth. While some booking sites may use cookies, major airlines aren’t manipulating prices based on your search history. Travel experts who search hundreds of routes daily would never find deals if this were true – and they find plenty.
That said, using incognito mode won’t hurt, and it keeps your browsing private.
Read More: How to Pack Light for Any Length Trip Abroad
7. Cheap Flights: Book Now, Think Later
Did you know that in the USA, you can cancel most flights free of charge within 24 hours? This applies to flights booked directly with airlines, provided that the flight is booked at least seven days before the scheduled departure date (though some airlines like American require only two days advance booking).
So, if you find a cheap flight, I suggest you buy it right away. After that, you have 24 hours to decide whether it’s a good idea or whether your travel buddy can take a day off from work.
Keep in mind that this policy generally applies to flights booked directly with airlines. Third-party booking sites may have different policies, so always check the fine print.
8. Travel With Carry-On Luggage
I know it would be lovely to fly in business class, but perhaps next time.
Since you are on a budget, it would be ideal if you could only bring carry-on luggage.
This reminded me of those meme photos where you book a Ryanair flight with only carry-on luggage and then put on ten layers of clothing because… who has ever been able to fit everything in carry-on luggage?
9. Explore Different Airlines and Routes
This one is obvious, but here it is: compare prices of different airlines, particularly if you are taking a long-haul flight.
For example, if you’re traveling from New York to London, British Airways and American Airlines offer nonstop flights. But you might also find cheaper options with layovers through other European carriers.
Important note: Norwegian Air, which was once famous for budget transatlantic flights, discontinued all long-haul operations in 2021 and now only operates short-haul flights within Europe and Scandinavia. However, new players like Norse Atlantic have entered the budget long-haul market, so keep an eye out for emerging carriers.
Don’t forget about round-trip flights. Booking them together typically results in significant savings compared to two one-way tickets.
10. Leveraging Credit Cards and Frequent Flyer Programs
Did you know that some credit cards reward you for booking flights?
For example, American Express Gold offers extra points for travel purchases. These points are redeemable for airline tickets or upgrades on round-trips.
Also, joining loyalty programs, such as Southwest Rapid Rewards, can result in free flights or savings.
Additionally, many airline credit cards eliminate additional costs for checked luggage or priority boarding, saving you money in the long run.
See? You didn’t spend money; you saved it!
11. Use Smart Booking Strategies
Here are some additional money-saving tactics:
Book one ticket at a time: When traveling with multiple people, sometimes booking individually can save money due to airline pricing algorithms.
Consider alternative routes: Flying into a nearby city and taking ground transport can sometimes be cheaper than flying direct to your destination.
Watch for sales: Airlines often announce flash sales or error fares. Following travel deal newsletters and social media accounts can help you catch these limited-time offers.
So, What’s Your Next Trip?
I feel that people around the world are becoming more aware of the importance of traveling, gathering experiences and raising awareness by learning about various cultures.
But what happens when your wallet says no?
Luckily, discovering great travel deals can open up a world of possibilities. You can fly from London to Rome for the cost of a nice dinner.
By staying flexible with your travel dates, focusing on off-peak days to fly (not just when you book), and keeping an eye out for cheap flights, you can book your next trip without breaking the bank. Remember: it’s not about finding the perfect day to book – it’s about being smart, flexible, and ready to act when you spot a great deal.
So, I wish you peaceful, safe, and, of course, cheap flights.
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