How to Find the Cheapest Flights: Insider Tips & Tricks

 

Flights can be one of the most expensive parts of travel, but with the right strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars

on airfare. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding best flights for your upcoming trip.

1. Use Flight Search Engines & Compare Prices

✅ Use multiple search engines to compare prices across airlines.
✅ Best Flight Search Engines:

• Google Flights (Flexible date tracking)

• Skyscanner (Multi-airline comparison)

• Momondo (Hidden deal discovery)

• Kayak (Price alerts & hacks)

2. Book at the Right Time

✅ When to Book: Studies show the best time to book flights is 6-8 weeks before domestic travel and 3-6 months before international travel.
✅ Best Days to Book: Tuesdays and Wednesdays often have the lowest prices.
✅ Avoid booking on weekends, as prices tend to be higher.

3. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates & Destinations

✅ Use Google Flights Explore or Skyscanner’s Everywhere Search to find the cheapest destinations from your location.
✅ Consider flying on weekdays instead of weekends for lower fares.
✅ Off-Peak Seasons (spring and fall) usually offer the best deals.

4. Use Incognito Mode & Clear Cookies

✅ Airlines track your searches and may increase prices based on demand.
✅ Search in incognito mode or clear your cookies before checking fares.

5. Take Advantage of Airline Error Fares

✅ Sometimes airlines accidentally post super cheap fares—book them fast before they fix the mistake!
✅ Best Websites to Find Error Fares:

• Secret Flying

• Scott’s Cheap Flights

• The Flight Deal

6. Consider Alternative Airports & Stopovers

✅ Check nearby airports for lower fares.
✅ A layover in a different city can sometimes reduce flight costs significantly.
✅ Example: Flying to Bangkok? Check flights to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and then take a budget airline.

7. Use Points & Miles for Free Flights

✅ Join airline loyalty programs to earn miles and exclusive travel perks and collect miles from everyday purchases.
✅ Use travel credit cards with sign-up bonuses to earn free flights.
✅ Best Travel Credit Cards:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred

• Capital One Venture Rewards

• American Express Platinum

8. Set Price Alerts & Monitor Fare Drops

✅ Use Google Flights Price Alerts and Hopper to track fare drops.
✅ If you see a great deal, book immediately—prices can change within hours!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: When is the best time to book a flight?

A: 6-8 weeks before domestic travel and 3-6 months before international travel usually offer the best prices.

Q2: Do flight prices go down at the last minute?

A: Sometimes, but not always. Last-minute deals exist, but prices often rise closer to departure.

Q3: What is the best day to book a flight?

A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays generally have the lowest airfare prices.

Final Thoughts

Finding cheap flights requires research, flexibility, and smart booking strategies. By following these tips, you can save big on airfare and have more money for your travels!

📌 Want more travel hacks? Check out our latest guides!

Follow us on Instagram: @travelthriftytales for real-time flight deals and budget travel tips! 🚀

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