How To Find The Cheapest Flights This Season
Airfare prices are all over the place these days. One minute you're seeing something affordable, and the next it’s triple the price. If you're hoping to travel without draining your savings, knowing where and how to look is half the battle, and there are a few tips that consistently work for finding lower fares. Here's a guide to help you travel smart, spend less, and get to where you’re going without the jaw-dropping price tag.
Stay Flexible
The more flexible you are, the better your chances of saving. Being able to shift your travel dates by just a day or two can genuinely make a big difference in price. If you're open to flying on weekdays, especially Tuesdays or Wednesdays, you’ll often find lower fares. Avoiding peak travel days, and staying open to early morning or late night flights can help too. Search across a full calendar month if you can to spot the cheapest options.
Use Flight Comparison Tools
Not all flight search engines show the same results. Use tools like Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner to scan multiple airlines and dates at once. Then double-check prices directly with the airline, since some low-cost carriers don't show up on third-party platforms. Set up price alerts early so you’ll get notified when prices drop. Don’t just look once and book, watch trends for a few days (or even weeks) if you can.
Clear Your Search History or Use Incognito Mode
It's not a myth. Sometimes, flight prices do increase the more you search, as sites will use browser cookies to check if you've been searching for flights lately and will up the price accordingly if they think you're buying. While airlines deny this practice, using incognito mode or clearing your browser’s cookies is still smart practice. Better yet, try going to your local library and using one of their computers instead. It ensures you’re getting a fresh view of the current prices each time you check. It's a small step, but it might stop you from being shown artificially higher prices based on past searches.
Be Open to Nearby Airports
Flying out of or into a different airport might save you some money. Major cities often have more than one airport, and smaller ones nearby might offer better deals. Even if it means a longer drive or train ride on either end, it could be worth it. Compare prices between these airports and factor in the cost of transportation before making a decision. Sometimes the savings add up quickly.
Consider Booking One-Way Tickets Separately
Round-trip tickets are convenient, but not always cheaper. Sometimes you can save by booking two one-way tickets on different airlines. This opens up more options and allows you to mix and match for the best overall deal. It also gives you more flexibility with return dates and flight times. Just make sure the savings outweigh the extra time it might take to coordinate.
Know When to Book (And When to Wait)
There's no perfect time to buy a flight, but trends show that booking about one to three months in advance is often best for domestic travel. For international trips, aim for three to six months ahead. Avoid booking too far out or at the very last minute unless you’re taking a risk for a last-minute deal, and keep an eye on sales, which often drop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Scoring cheap flights isn't all up to luck. Being prepared, flexible, and willing to look at options others might overlook can save you hundreds on your next trip. Use the right tools, adjust your expectations, and don’t be afraid to try a new strategy. With the right approach, you can enjoy your trip without worrying that you overpaid just to get there.