How to Find Cheap Flights and Never Pay Full Price Again

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Written By Joseph Daniel Ward

Traveling the world, exploring new cities, or embarking on a much-needed vacation doesn’t have to drain your bank account. One of the biggest obstacles for many travelers is the cost of flights, but with the right strategies and tools, you can significantly reduce your airfare expenses. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, knowing how to find cheap flights is a game-changer. Here’s your comprehensive guide to scoring affordable airfare and ensuring you never pay full price again.

1. Start Searching Early, But Not Too Early

Timing is crucial when it comes to booking cheap flights. While booking last minute can sometimes lead to discounted fares, the sweet spot is typically 6-8 weeks before your departure date for domestic flights and 2-4 months for international flights.

Why?
Airlines often release cheap tickets early on to fill seats, but they also tend to offer last-minute deals to sell off any unsold seats. However, if you book too early or too late, you may miss out on the best deals. Use price prediction tools, like Google Flights or Hopper, which analyze trends and suggest the best times to buy.

2. Be Flexible with Your Dates

Your travel dates can have a huge impact on the price of your flight. Flights tend to be cheaper on certain days of the week, and the time of year also plays a role. Here are some tips for flexibility:

Fly mid-week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are generally the cheapest days to fly. This is because most travelers book flights for weekends or holidays, making mid-week flights less in demand.
Avoid peak travel seasons: Flights during the holiday season (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) or school vacation weeks are usually the most expensive. If you can, avoid traveling during these peak periods.
Use flexible date search: Most flight search engines, like Skyscanner or Kayak, have a flexible dates feature. This allows you to view the price variations over a range of dates, helping you find the cheapest option.

3. Set Fare Alerts

When you’re planning a trip, it can be hard to know when the price is going to drop. That’s where fare alert tools come in. Websites like Airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and Google Flights allow you to set up alerts for specific routes. When prices fall, you'll get notified immediately.

Pro Tip: Set alerts for multiple routes and check them regularly. Sometimes flying out of a nearby airport can save you significant money.

4. Use Incognito Mode or Clear Your Cookies

Ever notice how flight prices seem to increase after you’ve been searching for a while? This is due to cookies tracking your searches, which can trigger price hikes. To avoid this, search for flights in incognito or private browsing mode to keep airlines from seeing your search history and inflating prices. Alternatively, you can clear your cookies before conducting new searches.

5. Take Advantage of Flight Search Engines and Aggregators

Flight search engines are essential tools for finding cheap airfare. They scour multiple airlines and travel booking sites to compare prices and find the best deals. Here are some popular and reliable options:

Google Flights: Known for its powerful search tools and flexible date features. It also provides insights into whether you should buy now or wait.
Skyscanner: Offers flexible search options and shows you the cheapest days to fly, as well as alternatives for nearby airports.
Momondo: A well-regarded search engine for finding cheap flights and comparing prices across multiple airlines and booking sites.
Kayak: Provides tools to monitor prices, as well as a “Price Forecast” feature that helps you determine whether ticket prices are likely to rise or fall.

Remember, no single flight search engine has access to every airline’s inventory, so it’s worth checking a few different ones before booking.

6. Consider Budget Airlines and Alternative Airports

Budget airlines can offer deeply discounted tickets, but they often charge additional fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and food. Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Spirit Airlines are examples of low-cost carriers that often provide unbeatable deals if you're flexible with your travel plans.

Pro Tip: Use websites like SecretFlying or The Flight Deal to find flash sales or mistake fares that often pop up on budget airlines.

Additionally, flying into smaller or alternative airports near your destination can save you money. For instance, if you’re traveling to New York City, consider flying into Newark instead of JFK or LaGuardia, as tickets to Newark may be cheaper.

7. Mix and Match Airlines

You don’t always have to fly with the same airline for your entire journey. Mix and match airlines to find the best deals. For example, fly one airline for your outbound flight and a different one for your return. Sometimes, combining two one-way tickets with different carriers can result in significant savings.

Websites like Kiwi.com or Momondo can help you find these mixed flights by combining different airlines and itineraries.

8. Use Points and Miles to Your Advantage

Frequent flyer programs and travel credit cards can be a goldmine for saving on flights. If you’re a frequent traveler, sign up for loyalty programs like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, or American Airlines AAdvantage. Collecting points or miles from airlines can help you earn free flights, upgrades, or discounts.

If you don’t fly often, travel rewards credit cards are a great way to start collecting miles for everyday purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold, or the Capital One Venture Rewards card often offer large sign-up bonuses, which can be redeemed for flights.

Also, consider booking through Airline Alliances (e.g., Star Alliance, SkyTeam, OneWorld) to earn and use miles across different airlines.

9. Check for Hidden Fees

When searching for cheap flights, be mindful of hidden fees that can increase the total cost. Budget airlines, in particular, are known for adding extra charges for things like seat selection, checked baggage, and even water. Always check the total price of your flight before booking to ensure you're comparing apples to apples.

Baggage fees: Many airlines now charge for checked luggage, so consider flying with carry-on luggage only if possible.
Seat selection: Some budget airlines charge for seat selection, while others offer free assignments at check-in. Be aware of these extra charges.

10. Look for Special Deals and Promotions

Airlines frequently offer sales, flash deals, or promotions, but they’re often time-sensitive and hidden away on their websites. To stay in the know:

Sign up for newsletters from your favorite airlines or deal sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Airfarewatchdog, or Travelzoo to receive alerts on special promotions.
Follow airlines and deal websites on social media to catch flash sales and limited-time offers.
Join frequent flyer programs, even if you don’t travel often. These programs often offer members exclusive promotions and early access to deals.

Conclusion

Finding cheap flights isn’t about luck—it’s about using the right strategies and tools. By being flexible with your dates, setting fare alerts, using search engines, and keeping an eye out for promotions, you can significantly reduce the cost of your airfare. Combine these tactics with budget airlines, loyalty programs, and smart booking practices, and you’ll never pay full price for a flight again. Traveling the world on a budget is within reach—now, it’s up to you to take advantage of these tips and start planning your next adventure!