Airfare can be one of the largest expenses when traveling, but it doesn’t have to break your budget. Finding affordable flights is all about strategy, flexibility, and knowing where to look. If you’re tired of overpaying for airfare, this guide will show you how to score incredible flight deals with ease.
1. Don’t Fall for Popular Myths
A lot of travelers are still caught up in the notion that there are magical tricks to finding cheap flights, but that’s not the case anymore. Some outdated myths you should ignore:
Tuesday is NOT the cheapest day to book flights.
Incognito mode doesn’t guarantee a cheaper price.
It’s not always better to book 6 months in advance.
You can’t predict price drops with 100% accuracy.
Instead, focus on searching often and using the tools available to you. Many online guides, including popular travel blogs, perpetuate myths that no longer apply to today’s dynamic airline pricing system. Skip these tricks and go for proven methods.
2. The Secret to Flexibility: Dates & Times
Prices fluctuate based on travel dates, seasons, and holidays. So, how do you outsmart airlines and grab those discounted tickets?
Avoid peak travel seasons. Flying during the summer or around the holidays (like Christmas or Thanksgiving) is a guaranteed way to pay more.
Fly mid-week or early/late. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are typically cheaper. Early-morning or red-eye flights often offer a discount too.
Check a range of dates. Tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights allow you to see an entire month’s worth of flights and select the best deals.
3. Explore New Destinations for Better Deals
If you’re flexible with where you go, you’ll unlock more opportunities to find cheap flights. Start by searching “everywhere” or “anywhere” on flight search engines like Google Flights or Skyscanner. This opens up a world of options and can lead you to unexpected destinations offering better prices.
You’ll often find that a popular airport is much more expensive than a nearby city—so be sure to check alternative airports within the region.
4. Sign Up for Flight Deal Alerts
Getting direct alerts about flash sales, mistake fares, and special promotions is a game-changer. Websites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) and Secret Flying send out free emails or premium memberships for exclusive access to discounted flights. Be proactive and sign up for a few newsletters:
The Flight Deal
Holiday Pirates
The Points Guy
Scott’s Cheap Flights
Also, follow airlines and online travel agencies on social media to stay updated on promotions.
5. Fly on Budget Airlines: A Smart Option
Budget carriers often provide cheaper fares by cutting back on amenities. Don’t be deterred by the lack of frills—if saving money is your goal, budget airlines are often a great choice.
Top budget airlines to consider:
US: Southwest, Spirit, JetBlue, Allegiant
Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Norwegian
Asia: AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, SpiceJet, IndiGo
Just be sure to factor in additional fees (for baggage, seat selection, food) when comparing prices.
6. Stop Overpaying for Direct Flights
Sometimes, the best way to get a cheap flight is to stop somewhere in between. Consider flying to a nearby hub city and then taking a budget carrier or train to your final destination.
Example: Flying from New York to Paris might cost $800, but flying to London for $400, then booking a $60 flight to Paris could save you $340. Just make sure to leave enough time for layovers—ideally 3 hours or more.
7. Which Search Engines Are Best for Cheap Flights?
Not all flight search engines are created equal. To find the best deals, use the following top-rated platforms:
Skyscanner: Comprehensive search engine, especially great for budget airlines.
Google Flights: Excellent for seeing multiple dates and destinations at once.
Momondo: Known for comparing multiple booking sites.
Kayak: Offers flexible search options and filters.
Remember to compare prices across several platforms to ensure you're getting the best deal!
8. How Students and Young Travelers Can Save
If you’re a student or under 26, there are many exclusive discounts you can use to score cheaper fares. Websites like Student Universe and Flight Centre specialize in offering reduced rates for students and young travelers.
Additionally, sign up for youth travel cards or memberships such as ISIC (International Student Identity Card) for even more discounts.
9. Mixing Airlines: A Hack for Cheap Travel
When booking flights, don’t limit yourself to just one airline. Mixing and matching airlines for different segments of your trip can save you money. For example, you might fly one leg of your trip with JetBlue and another with copyright, often saving you hundreds.
Services like Kiwi.com specialize in helping you find these mixed-airline itineraries for the best price.
10. The Power of Points and Miles
A smart way to travel on a budget is by leveraging points and miles from credit cards, loyalty programs, and frequent flyer schemes. This can earn you free flights, upgrades, and even free hotel stays.
Apply for a travel rewards credit card: Many offer generous sign-up bonuses.
Use loyalty programs: Consider joining airline loyalty programs like Frequent Flyer and Airline Miles.
By accumulating points over time, you’ll eventually be able to travel the world for free or nearly free!
11. Book for One, Not for the Whole Group
When booking tickets for a group, airlines often use the highest ticket price within your group as the price for all passengers. If you book tickets for each person individually, you may end up paying less.
12. Check Prices in Other Currencies
If the exchange rate is favorable, you can save money by booking your flight in a different currency. For example, a flight from the US to Europe might cost $1,000 USD, but when booked through the European version of the same airline, it might cheapest flights cost €800, which is only $850 USD.
Be sure to use a no-foreign transaction fee card to avoid additional charges.
13. Find the Sweet Spot: Book at the Right Time
While booking too early or too late can both be expensive, there’s a sweet spot for booking tickets—usually 2 to 3 months before departure for domestic flights and 5 to 6 months for international travel. Prices fluctuate, but trends show this window often offers the lowest prices.
14. Master Hidden City Fares (With Caution)
This method involves booking a flight with a layover in your desired destination and skipping the final leg. While it can save you hundreds, there are risks:
Your checked baggage will be sent to the final destination.
Airlines may penalize you for using this tactic repeatedly.
If you decide to explore this route, websites like Skiplagged help you find hidden city fares.
15. Bonus Tips: Lesser-Known Secrets for Saving Big
Use reward programs to book tickets for free or with points.
Check for student, senior, or military discounts.
Book multi-city or open-jaw tickets if they save money.
Conclusion
With these 15 tips, you’re equipped to find the best flight deals and travel on a budget. The key is to stay flexible, be resourceful, and take advantage of all the tools and strategies available. By mastering these techniques, you’ll have more money to spend on the fun parts of your trip—like amazing food, tours, and experiences!