Tips for Booking Cheap Flights: Save Money on Your Travels

08/19/2024 Jennifer

I love finding great deals on flights as a seasoned traveler and co-founder of a travel company. Whether it’s a trip within the country or a journey across the globe, there are ways to cut costs on flights. In this article, I’ll give you my best tips for booking cheap flights and saving more on your trips¹.

Booking flights at the right time is key to getting a good deal. A study by FareCompare.com found that booking on Wednesday at 3PM ET is the cheapest¹. Also, being flexible with your travel dates can help you save. Some days and seasons have lower prices than others.

Using airlines’ stopover programs can also save you money. For instance, Icelandair lets you stop over for free in Reykjavík if you connect there, which is great for trips to Europe¹. Look for flights that go through cheaper cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai before reaching your final destination. These cities often have lower prices¹.

Staying updated on airfare trends helps you make better booking choices. Websites like Kayak and Bing Travel use past flight data to predict future prices. This is especially true for less popular destinations where prices might drop over time¹. Also, some travel credit cards, like the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer perks like fast security and customs lines. These can be very useful for those who travel often¹.

With some research and flexibility, you can find great flight deals and plan your next big trip. Keep reading for more tips on saving money while traveling!

Understanding the Right Time to Book

Booking flights at the right time is key. For domestic flights in peak season, wait 3-7 months before booking². This lets you get the best prices without paying too much too soon². For trips abroad, start looking 4-10 months early².

The Goldilocks Window for Domestic and International Flights

For domestic flights, book 3-7 months ahead². This is the “Goldilocks window” – just right. Booking for summer travel at least six months early is smart². For international trips, the best time is 4-10 months before you leave².

Booking too early can sometimes mean paying more. So, the 4-10 month range is best.

Following the 21-Day Rule for Best Fares

The 21-day rule is also useful for finding good deals. Booking domestic flights at least 3 weeks early can save you a lot². For trips abroad, wait 21 days to book to avoid higher prices³.

Knowing when to book and using the 21-day rule can help you find cheap flights. This is true for both domestic and international trips²³.

Leveraging Flexibility for Cheaper Flights

Being flexible with your travel dates can lead to big savings on flights. Just changing your departure or return by a few days can cut ticket costs in half⁴. Shifting your travel dates can save you hundreds of dollars on a ticket⁴. Airlines use advanced algorithms to predict price changes, helping you find the cheapest fares⁴. Booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays can save you up to 15% compared to weekends⁴.

Using search engines like Kayak and checking the “+/- 3 days” option can show cheaper flights, especially during holidays⁴. A 2023 study showed that using fare calendar tools can save travelers 27% on flights⁴. JetBlue’s “Best Fare Finder” tool saves passengers an average of $84 per ticket⁴. Researchers found Allegiant Air’s flexible search feature can save travelers 18% on average⁴.

Flying from nearby airports can also save you money⁴. A 2022 study showed travelers can save up to 35% by flying from smaller airports⁴. Flights from regional airports are 18% cheaper on average, says OAG⁴. MIT researchers found flying from airports within 100 miles can save up to $200 on long-haul routes⁴.

By using both flexible dates and nearby airports, you can save a lot on flights⁴. This combo can save over 40% on international flights, says University of California, Berkeley researchers⁴.

Utilizing Points and Miles for Award Travel

Using points and miles from travel rewards credit cards is a great way to save on flights and experiences. You can get big discounts by booking award travel with airline miles or credit card points⁵. For example, a business class flight to Tahiti with American Airlines miles costs only 80,000 miles one-way⁵. Flying business class to Europe from the U.S. can be as low as 57,500 AAdvantage miles⁵.

Looking at other airlines can also save you a lot of money. Turkish Airlines charges just 15,000 miles round trip to Hawaii, which costs 26,000 miles on United⁵.

Popular Airline Credit Cards for Earning Miles

Top choices for earning airline miles include the United Explorer Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card⁵. These cards often have big sign-up bonuses that can get you free flights⁵. The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card gives you 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months⁵.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months⁵. Turkish Airlines lets you buy miles directly for $30 per 1,000 miles⁵.

It’s important to use credit cards wisely to improve your credit score⁶. A credit score of 700 or higher is best for credit card rewards programs⁶. By using flexible or transferable points smartly, you can get the most out of your travel rewards and enjoy amazing experiences⁷⁶.

Traveling During the Offseason

Traveling during the offseason or shoulder seasons can save you a lot of money on flights. For instance, a ticket from New York to Greece in September costs $435, much less than the $906 in the high season⁸. These periods have fewer people traveling, which means lower prices on flights, hotels, and tours.

A 2021 study by CheapAir.com found the best time to book flights to Europe is 120 days ahead. For domestic trips, book 64 days before you leave⁸. Tools like Google Flights show average ticket prices and the best times to book to save money⁸.

Google Flights can send you alerts when flight prices go down, helping you find cheaper tickets⁸. Sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights and The Flight Deal also send out alerts for super cheap flights to places all over the world⁸.

Destination	Offseason Price	High Season Price
New York to Greece	$435	$906
Minneapolis (MSP) to Denver (DEN)	$50 (round-trip)	N/A
Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo (NRT)	$300 (round-trip in business class)	N/A
Newark (EWR) to Manila, Philippines (MNL) with a stopover in Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)	$200	N/A

Buying travel insurance can give you peace of mind. Some travelers choose extra coverage called Cancel For Any Reason to protect against unexpected costs⁸.

Tips for Booking Cheap Flights

Finding affordable flights is easier than you think. There are many tips to help you get the best deals. One important tip is to look at one-way flights for domestic trips. Sometimes, airlines offer cheaper rates for the one-way legs of your trip⁹.

Setting up price alerts and watching for fare deals can really help. Tools like Google Flights, The Flight Deal, Secret Flying, and Dollar Flight Club are great for keeping up with discounts⁹. Also, signing up for Thrifty Traveler Flight Alerts means you get daily updates on flight deals in your inbox⁹.

Being flexible with your travel dates can also save you money. Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays is often cheaper⁹. Booking your flights early and considering indirect flights or stopovers can also save you money⁹.

Lastly, don’t overlook the value of points and miles. Using credit card rewards and airline loyalty programs can help you book flights almost for free⁹. By staying informed and flexible, you’ll find great deals for your next trip.

Checking One-Way Flights for Domestic Travel

Booking one-way flights for domestic trips can save you a lot of money. This is because often, the cheapest flights for going and coming back are with different airlines¹⁰. So, it’s smarter to book each leg separately.

This method gives you a lot of flexibility. You can pick different airlines, times, and airports for each leg. This is great for flying to and from popular places, where many airlines compete¹¹.

To save more, compare prices from various airlines and search engines. Look at budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant. They usually have lower prices than big airlines¹². Also, check prices for airports near your destination that might be cheaper.

Being flexible and open to different options is key with one-way flights. By comparing prices and choosing the best airlines for each leg, you can save a lot on your next trip.

Avoiding Flight Cancellations and Delays

Dealing with flight issues can be frustrating and costly. But, there are ways to lessen the impact of canceled or delayed flights. Booking non-stop flights, choosing early morning departures, and avoiding checked baggage can help reduce delays and cancellations¹³.

Booking Non-Stop Flights

Booking non-stop flights is a great way to avoid delays. Connecting flights can lead to more delays or cancellations. Opting for non-stop flights cuts the risk of missed connections and shortens your travel time¹⁴.

Picking Early Morning Flights

Consider booking early morning flights. These flights are less likely to be delayed by weather or air traffic issues. Plus, the chance of delays spreading is lower since there are fewer flights later in the day¹⁴.

Avoiding Checked Baggage

Checking bags can up the chances of delays and cancellations. If your luggage gets lost or delayed, you might miss your flight or face trouble at your destination. Traveling with only a carry-on avoids this risk and makes your trip smoother¹⁴.

Calling the Airline’s International Office

If a flight issue happens, calling the airline’s international office can be more helpful than waiting at the airport. They can rebook you faster and offer better service, helping you get back on track with less delay¹⁴.

Using these strategies can greatly lower the risk of flight problems and make your trip smoother. With some planning and a proactive attitude, you can lessen the effects of canceled or delayed flights. This way, you can enjoy your destination more¹³¹⁴.

Exploring Fare Deals and Price Alerts

Keeping an eye on flight deal websites and price tracking tools can lead you to the best fares. Sites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), Fare Deal Alert, The Flight Deal, and Secret Flying often share amazing airfare discounts¹⁵. For instance, they’ve found deals from New York to Costa Rica for $192, Los Angeles to Warsaw for $199, and San Francisco to Nepal for $743¹⁵. With an average rating of 4.9 from over 1,850 reviews¹⁵, these websites are a big help for smart travelers.

Setting up price alerts on sites like Google Flights can tell you when prices go down for your chosen routes¹⁶. This way, you can quickly grab the best deals as they happen¹⁶. For places like Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe, Going members think fares of $800 or less roundtrip are a good deal¹⁷. Being flexible with your travel dates and watching for price alerts can help you find the cheapest flights.

Whether you’re a free member or have a Premium Membership, these services can save you a lot¹⁵. Free members get 6-8 deal alerts a month, while Premium subscribers get 25-40+ deals a month¹⁵. On average, these deals can save you over $400 per ticket for long trips¹⁵. So, don’t miss the chance to see the world without spending a lot – sign up for these alerts and plan your next trip.

Purchasing Travel Insurance in Advance

When planning a trip, getting travel insurance is key to protect your investment. It covers unexpected costs like trip cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies¹⁸. It’s best to buy travel insurance right away to cover the whole trip cost¹⁸. This way, you get the most benefits and protection¹⁸.

Travel insurance helps avoid losing money if your trip gets cancelled or if you face a medical emergency¹⁸. Some think it’s a waste, but it’s crucial for unexpected events¹⁸. Pandemics like COVID-19 are covered by some policies, treating them like other illnesses¹⁸. It’s important to pick a plan that fits your needs and knows what’s not covered¹⁸.

The best time to buy travel insurance is right after you’ve booked your trip¹⁹. If you buy it within 14 days of your first payment, you can get coverage for health issues you already have¹⁹. You can buy it anytime before you leave to cover unexpected events¹⁹. But, buying after something goes wrong during your trip won’t work because it’s meant for surprises¹⁹. Buying early means you’re covered for things like trip cancellations, lost bags, medical emergencies, and interruptions¹⁹.

The Benefits of Travel Credit Cards

Travel rewards credit cards can help you earn free flights and hotel stays. Cards like the Capital One Venture X and The Platinum Card from American Express offer big sign-up bonuses and rewards for travel purchases²⁰. You can also get perks like free checked bags and airport lounge access²⁰. But, it’s important to use these cards wisely to get the most out of them.

Responsible Credit Card Usage

Travel credit cards come with great rewards but must be used with care. Some cards have high annual fees, like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card at $650²⁰. But, you can offset these fees with rewards and benefits, such as travel credits²⁰. If you don’t travel much or are building your credit, these cards might not be the best choice²⁰.

It’s key to pay off your balance every month to avoid interest charges²⁰. These cards can earn you points on travel purchases, from 3X to 10X points per dollar²⁰. But, getting the most from these cards takes effort and strategy, which might not appeal to everyone²⁰.

Travel credit cards also offer benefits like airline and hotel elite status, Global Entry credits, travel insurance, and more²⁰²¹. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® covers cancellations or interruptions up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip²¹.

By using travel credit cards wisely, you can enjoy rewarding travel experiences. Just remember, there are downsides like annual fees and the need for effort to get the most value, especially if you travel less often²⁰.

Comparing Booking Sites for Best Deals

Looking for flight deals means checking out different booking sites and travel search engines. Start with big names like Kayak, Orbitz, and Expedia. But don’t forget about CheapOair, Airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and Google Flights²². Also, check the airline’s website as they might have the cheapest fares.

A recent study found the top 5 sites for finding cheap flights in 2024 were Kiwi, Expedia, Skiplagged, Momondo, and Google Flights²³. Kiwi was the top site with a score of 90.32 and a 5.00 star rating. Expedia was close with a score of 90.14 and a 4.99 star rating²³. Skiplagged was third with a score of 89.39 and a 4.95 star rating²³.

Momondo is a top choice for finding airfares online, thanks to its 13 filters and bag options²⁴. It also offers Fare Insights to help you understand price trends and when to book for the best deals²⁴. By using these top sites, you can easily find the lowest fares and save on your next trip.