Finding an incredibly cheap flight is one of the best feelings. Not only do you save money, but it also means you’re about to embark on an exciting adventure! We’re here to share all our tips and tricks for finding affordable flights anywhere in the world. By the end of this, you’ll have all the tools you need to secure an amazing deal on your next trip.
Cheap Flights Airplane
There’s something extremely satisfying about hitting the “purchase now” button on a super cheap flight.
Now, you have an adventure to look forward to, and you’ve saved a bunch of money—money you can now spend on mojitos by the beach or an epic experience like skydiving! But how do you find these incredible flight deals?
While there’s no exact formula that works every time, we’re going to share some practical tips and creative hacks that have helped us find great airfare deals all over the world.
Related Reading: Traveling on a budget involves more than just finding a cheap flight. We’ve detailed how we manage to afford our travels and are sharing our top tips so you can too!
1. Get Notified About Mistake Fares
We all know that one person who’s always jetting off somewhere and claims to have gotten an amazing deal on their flights. So, how do they do it?
Chances are, they have some insider information—and you can get it too.
Sign up for newsletters:
- Thrifty Traveler (our favorite!)
- Dollar Flight Club
- Scott’s Cheap Flights
- Cheap Fly Club
These services will keep you informed about the best deals and mistake fares.
What exactly are mistake fares? Airlines can sometimes accidentally post prices that are a fraction of what they should be. Typically, they honor these prices if you catch them in time.
The key is to act fast before the airline realizes the mistake. That’s why it’s helpful to have an email alert from one of the programs mentioned above. Otherwise, you’d have to spend all day scouring search engines—and who has time for that?
Example of Deals: Recently, we saw a round-trip flight from LA to Hawaii for just over $300! And another from NYC to Santiago, Chile for $290 round trip!
Most of these email services offer a free membership and a paid option, with the free version obviously showing fewer deals.
If you’re serious about scoring good deals and plan on taking several trips throughout the year, the annual cost (typically around $45) is well worth it. Check out the Premium Version from Thrifty Traveler.
Pro Tip: These newsletters typically arrive daily, so send them to an email where frequent messages won’t be a bother. Also, understand that people who find amazing flight deals are constantly on the lookout. You have to stay vigilant to catch those mistake fares.
2. Compare, Compare, Compare!
Start by Googling the “typical cost of a flight from X to X” to get a baseline, then begin your research.
We often start with Skyscanner because it allows you to see the cheapest days each month to fly.
Once we have a flight in mind, we compare prices with other search engines like Google Flights and Momondo.
Remember, some airlines, like Southwest Airlines, aren’t listed on these search engines. It’s a good idea to do a quick Google search for airlines that fly to your destination to ensure you’re covering all bases.
After finding the lowest price across these search engines, it’s smart to check the airline’s direct website for comparison. If the price is the same, book directly through the airline to avoid any third-party booking fees.
3. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Waiting until the last minute to book your flight rarely pays off. In fact, Expedia conducted a study and found that prices often rise sharply 30 days before departure.
We’ve learned this the hard way by waiting too long on some flights, and we’ve never found a good last-minute deal. Typically, we end up with the same flight we originally found, but at a higher price.
Don’t make the same mistake—book at least a month in advance. Don’t count on finding a good last-minute deal because they are rare. (See tip #5 for how far in advance you should start looking for the best deals!)
Related Reading: Learn how we save money for travel by following these simple steps before your trip even begins!
4. Be Flexible
Flexibility is not always an option if you have set vacation dates or a specific destination in mind. But if you can be flexible with your dates or where you’re traveling, you’re more likely to find better deals.
Know WHERE you want to go?
Check out Skyscanner’s “cheapest month” feature. Select your destination—say, Bangkok—and it will show you the month with the cheapest fares.
Then, view the whole month to choose the absolute cheapest date to fly.
Know WHEN you want to fly?
If you’re flexible with your destination, you’re in for an even better deal.
Looking to travel somewhere warm in January? Skyscanner has an “explore map” feature where you can select your home airport and travel month. It will show you the cheapest destinations worldwide for that time of year.
Narrow it down by selecting only warm climates, and voila! You’ve got options to choose from.
Example: When searching from Minneapolis with a January 2019 departure date, options like Honolulu, Orlando, and Los Angeles came up as warm domestic trips.
Responsible Travel Tip: Did you save a lot of money by finding a cheap flight? Consider using some of that savings to offset your carbon footprint and reduce your environmental impact.
MyClimate helps you calculate the emissions from your flight, allowing you to contribute to various climate projects. (There are other carbon offsetting programs out there too!) Bonus: If you’re a citizen of Germany or Switzerland, these donations are tax-deductible!
5. Know When to Start Looking
When planning flights, the ideal time to start searching varies depending on your destination.
(Note that these recommendations have evolved over the years.)
- Flying to Europe: Start looking 99 days before departure.
- Flying to the USA: 54 days before departure.
- Flying to Asia: 90 days before departure.
- Flying to Central America: 61 days before departure.
- Flying to South America: 81 days before departure.
- Flying to Africa: 119 days before departure.
- Flying to the Middle East: 119 days before departure.
- Flying to Australia and South Pacific: 89 days before departure.
This infographic from CheapAir provides a great visual representation:
When to Buy International Flight Infographic
6. Travel in the Off-Season
Traveling to Japan during cherry blossom season in the spring is an incredible experience, but it won’t come cheap. Thousands of tourists from around the world want to witness the cherry blossoms too, so airfare and hotel prices skyrocket.
If you’re looking to visit Japan on a budget, consider traveling during the off-peak season. You’re more likely to find great deals on flights and accommodations, plus you’ll avoid the crowds.
And while we used Japan as an example, this theory applies to nearly every destination. Traveling during the low or shoulder seasons is a great way to explore on a budget.
7. Fly in September or October
Did you know that September and October are the cheapest months to fly? That’s because families are typically busy with school, and travel demand drops. Lower demand means lower prices.
Airlines sometimes use this low season to entice travelers to take vacations before the hectic holiday season. Who’s up for Oktoberfest? It seems like the perfect time!
If your schedule is flexible, these months are great for finding good flight deals.
Other cheap times to fly include January through mid-May, except for Spring Break.
8. Book on a Tuesday… or Not?
There was a popular belief that Tuesday was the best day to find good flight deals. This was because major airlines would release mid-week price drops, and smaller airlines would follow suit. However, as technology has advanced, these price drops have become more random.
According to CheapAir, the price of a plane ticket fluctuates an average of 71 times from its release date. The fluctuation is typically around $33, so you won’t be paying much more if you miss the lowest price. They found that these price changes occur every 4.5 days. So, if you have time, monitor your flight’s price for about a week before booking.
It might not be a Tuesday, but this method will help you catch a price dip at least once.
9. Join a Loyalty Program
If you fly frequently, signing up for a frequent flyer program is a smart move. If you tend to fly with one airline, learn about their partners and book flights exclusively within that group. Over time, your miles will add up. Opening a credit card with the airline will help you accumulate even more miles.
However, this tactic works best if you fly often and are willing to pay a bit more per flight instead of relying on mistake fares.
Related: Discover which travel credit cards we always carry with us.
10. Consider Your Baggage
Many discount airlines, like Spirit and Ryan Air, advertise deals that seem too good to be true—and often, they are.
Sure, you can fly from Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena for $87, but you’ll be charged for every bag you bring. At the gate, a carry-on bag could cost up to $65.
And even if you fly Spirit often, you’ll have to pay for a seat assignment and checked bags, which could drive up the cost of your “cheap” ticket.
If you want to book a budget flight, make sure to read the fine print. For budget carriers like Spirit and Ryan Air, you may have to fly without luggage to actually get the advertised price. (Note that Spirit allows a backpack-sized item for free.)
Another thing to watch for is seating assignments. If you don’t pay, you might end up stuck in a middle seat between a crying baby and a chatty Cathy, far away from your travel companion.
Pro Tip: Use a luggage scale to weigh your bags before leaving for the airport. Don’t let a surprise weight issue force you to shell out even more money at the gate.
Pssst! Trying to fit all your travel essentials into one backpack? We’ve shared our minimalist travel packing tips.
11. Check the Cancellation Policy
We’ve all heard the horror stories of people booking a mistake fare only to have the airline cancel it the next day.
To avoid getting excited about a deal, only to be disappointed, make sure you check the cancellation policy on the website before purchasing. Most airlines will honor the price if the mistake was on their end, but it’s always good to know your options in case they don’t.
Similarly, double-check the change and cancellation policies. Many airlines allow you to cancel within 24 hours of booking without a fee, so if you have buyer’s remorse or find a better deal elsewhere, you have some wiggle room.
Sure thing! Here’s a paraphrased version of the tips for finding incredibly cheap flights:
12. Explore Flight Comparison Tools
Flight comparison tools can be incredibly helpful in tracking down the best airfare deals. These platforms gather pricing information from various airlines and booking sites, offering a wide-ranging view of available flights.
Recommended Comparison Tools:
- Google Flights: Features an intuitive interface with a price trend graph and flexible date options.
- Skyscanner: Known for its extensive search capabilities and “cheapest month” feature.
- Momondo: Offers versatile search options and price comparisons.
- Kayak: Includes a “hacker fares” option that combines one-way tickets from different airlines for cheaper round-trip flights.
- Hipmunk: Displays a visual timeline of flight costs and includes a “Agony” metric to balance cost with comfort.
13. Take Advantage of Airline Loyalty Programs
Airline loyalty programs can help you save significantly over time by earning points or miles with each flight. These rewards can often be redeemed for free flights or upgrades, making them a valuable tool for frequent travelers.
Popular Loyalty Programs Include:
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Delta SkyMiles
- United MileagePlus
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Alaska Mileage Plan
14. Set Up Fare Alerts
Most flight comparison platforms allow you to set fare alerts for specific routes and dates. By doing so, you’ll receive notifications when prices drop, helping you book at the best possible rate.
Steps to Set Alerts:
- Select Your Route: Input your departure and arrival cities.
- Choose Your Dates: Opt for flexible date ranges if possible.
- Define Your Budget: Some sites let you set a maximum fare limit.
- Enter Your Email: You’ll get alerts when there are changes in fare prices.
15. Consider Nearby Airports
Flying into or out of alternative airports can lead to substantial savings. For instance, instead of landing at New York City’s JFK, you might find lower fares at Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA).
Finding Alternative Airports:
- Utilize Search Engines: Many flight search engines allow you to include multiple airports in your search.
- Check Nearby Cities: Sometimes flying into a nearby city and taking local transportation can be more economical.
- Compare Costs: Make sure to factor in any additional travel costs when choosing alternative airports.
16. Book Early for Major Events
Traveling to popular destinations during major events or festivals can be pricey. Booking your flights well in advance can help you lock in lower prices. For example, securing flights months ahead of events like Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival or Munich’s Oktoberfest can save you money.
Tips for Event Travel:
- Know Event Dates: Be aware of event schedules to plan your booking.
- Book Early: Prices can rise sharply as the event nears, so early booking is advantageous.
- Monitor Prices: Keep an eye on fare fluctuations as the event approaches to catch any potential deals.
17. Use Credit Card Travel Perks
Many credit cards offer travel-related benefits that can help reduce flight costs. These perks may include travel credits, points for future travel, or access to airport lounges.
Examples of Credit Card Benefits:
- Travel Credits: Some cards offer annual travel credits that can be applied to flights.
- Points/Miles: Earn points or miles on your card that can be used to offset flight costs.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy amenities and comfort while waiting for your flight.
By using these strategies and resources, you can enhance your chances of finding remarkably cheap flights and enjoy a more budget-friendly travel experience. Safe travels!
Final Thoughts
Finding incredibly cheap flights requires a combination of strategic planning and the right tools. By exploring flight comparison websites, taking advantage of loyalty programs, setting fare alerts, considering alternative airports, booking early for major events, and utilizing credit card travel perks, you can significantly reduce your travel expenses. Stay flexible and proactive to make the most of these opportunities and enjoy more budget-friendly trips.