Do you know how to get cheaper flights?
We all love traveling, the thrill of exploring a new city, tasting different foods, and soaking in unfamiliar cultures. But with this inflation, the prices for plane tickets seem to go a tad overboard, sometimes making our travel dreams feel just out of reach. And, oh my God, we all know how long it takes to find a suitable and affordable offer for that dreamy vacation we’ve been thinking about the whole time! The endless scrolling through dozens of websites, comparing dates, and watching prices fluctuate can be a full-time job in itself.
However, there are a few hacks that you must know if you want to get cheaper tickets for both domestic and international flights. These aren’t complicated secrets reserved for travel agents; they are simple, actionable strategies that anyone can use. Think of it as a treasure map where ‘X’ marks the spot for the best deals. By being a little bit smarter and more strategic in your search, you can save a significant amount of money that can be better spent on experiences during your trip.
Save them somewhere in your bookmarks, create a special note on your phone, and thank Price Makers later! You’ll be surprised at how much you can save with just a little bit of planning and insider knowledge.
1. Do the full research
It’s crucial to do your homework and keep looking for cheaper flights until you find the best deal for your budget. And don’t settle for the first fare you see! In most cases (unless you’re very lucky), you’ll stumble upon skyrocketing prices, and no matter how much money you have, it’s better to pay less for the tickets to have more to spend on souvenirs and other stuff. Your research should be a two-pronged attack: start with flight comparison websites like Google Flights or Skyscanner to get a broad overview of prices across multiple airlines, and then dive deeper by visiting the individual airline websites themselves.
Please verify the fare on two or three websites before making any reservations, and only after that should you make your reservation. Sometimes, aggregators have deals you won’t find elsewhere, while other times booking directly with the airline can unlock special perks or avoid hidden booking fees. Another hack you must keep in mind is that you should constantly monitor airline websites to see if any promotions are available for travel to your vacation location. These can include flash sales, promotions for new routes, or seasonal discounts that can drastically cut the cost. Also, try searching in an incognito or private browser window. While the jury is out on whether airlines track your searches to raise prices, it’s a simple step that costs you nothing and might just save you from a potential price hike based on your search history.
2. Always be flexible with your time
You might be tempted to travel abroad for Christmas and spend the winter holidays in a warm destination, but trust me when I say that you’re not the only one with this idea, and the flying companies know that very well. Major holidays and school vacation periods are peak travel times, and airline pricing algorithms are designed to capitalize on this predictable surge in demand. That’s why, if you want to get cheaper flights, it’s very important to be flexible with the time you want to travel.
Traveling during the off-season is the answer. This doesn’t necessarily mean going in the dead of winter; consider the “shoulder seasons”—the months just before and after the peak season (like April/May and September/October for Europe). The weather is often still beautiful, the crowds are thinner, and the flight prices are significantly lower. Look for other dates so you can take advantage of the finest ones. It is less probable that you will locate a deal the more set in your ways your intentions are. Use a flight search engine’s calendar view to see prices across a whole month at a glance.
Also, since the majority travel on weekends and airlines raise prices during that time, it is nearly always less expensive to fly during the week than on the weekend. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cited as the cheapest days to fly. Furthermore, if you want to get cheaper flights opt for those flights scheduled early in the morning or late at night since are significantly less expensive. These “red-eye” flights or crack-of-dawn departures are less popular due to their inconvenience. Let’s face it, who wants to get up early? I would because I love traveling, but I don’t know how many are willing to make this “sacrifice.” But that sacrifice can easily translate into hundreds of dollars in savings.
3. Go for an Air Pass
Another hack to get cheaper flights is to get an air pass. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, this is possible. It functions similarly to the Ola/Uber Pass and the Metro Pass. Many national airlines provide discounted plane passes to the nation’s regular passengers to boost tourism in their respective nations. Think of it as buying a bundle of flights for a specific region at a fixed, reduced price, which can be a fantastic deal if you’re planning a multi-city tour within a single country or a specific geographical area like Southeast Asia or South America.
Therefore, if you frequently go to a certain country, or you’re planning an extensive trip there, get an air pass. These passes typically need to be purchased before you arrive in the country and often require you to have an international flight booked on the same airline or its partners. This is one of the best-value suggestions that will enable you to significantly reduce the cost of your airline tickets, especially when compared to booking multiple one-way flights at the last minute while you’re already traveling. It takes some advance planning but offers incredible savings for the dedicated explorer.
…If you’re ready for another adventure soon besides aiming for cheaper flights you must also get a nice bag for the cabin. You know, the tickets that include cabin bags are typically less expensive than those with checked bags. Traveling light not only saves you money on baggage fees but also saves you precious time at the airport—no more waiting anxiously at the baggage carousel! So before continuing to read the article, get a quick look at this cool trolley on Amazon that costs only $45.00. It’s the perfect companion for a smart, budget-savvy traveler.
4. Keep an eye on those deals
When you’re looking for cheaper flights it’s important to sign up for some newsletters at various flight companies. While nobody loves a cluttered inbox, creating a dedicated email address just for travel deals can be a game-changer. This way, you can easily sift through promotions without them getting lost in your personal mail. In most cases, they offer last-minute discounts. Although the majority of them may not align with your schedule, keeping a watch on the offers can guarantee you don’t pass up a fantastic chance. Also, consider setting up price alerts on flight comparison websites for your desired routes. You’ll get an automatic notification when the price drops, allowing you to book instantly.
Cheap airline tickets are almost always offered for a short period (typically 24 hours or in extraordinary cases 48 hours). These are often called “flash sales,” and they require you to be decisive. You’ll probably miss out on the greatest offers if you don’t constantly search the internet for bargains! Following airlines and travel deal aggregators on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram is another great strategy, as they often announce limited-time sales there first.
There are a bunch of websites from which you can get cheaper flights but my go-to favorite is Cheapoair. They often have coupon codes and special negotiated fares that aren’t available elsewhere, so it’s always worth a look.
5. Don’t go for direct flights (especially if you’re flying abroad)
Being versatile with dates and locations is helpful, but there are other ways to get a cheap ticket, such as being flexible with the route you take. A direct flight might be the quickest option, but it’s often the most expensive. Introducing a layover can sometimes slash the price dramatically. For instance, there are instances when taking a budget airline to Amsterdam and then continuing to Paris is more affordable than traveling straight from your departure location to Paris. This strategy requires a bit more effort, as you might need to collect and re-check your luggage, but the savings can be substantial. See if this is a cost-effective option and how much you may save by using Google Flights. You can even turn a long layover into a bonus mini-trip by choosing a flight with an overnight or all-day stop, allowing you to explore a second city for the price of one flight.
6. Mix and match airlines
You can only travel on that airline and its partner carriers when you make a direct reservation. This implies that you will have fewer alternatives when it comes to creating the ideal itinerary or making the most financial savings. For example, a round-trip ticket on a single airline might force you into a less-than-ideal return time or a higher price point, just for the sake of brand consistency.
Try purchasing your tickets on different airlines if you want to save more money. This could mean flying out with United and returning with Spirit. Although it requires more work, the savings and flexibility may make it worthwhile. You can find cheaper flights on third-party booking websites. One of them is Kiwi. To make sure you receive the best deal, they build together journeys using any planes they can locate. They are experts at creating these “self-transfer” itineraries that can offer incredible value.
Try making separate reservations for the different parts if you’re looking for the best deal and aren’t satisfied with what you see on the airline’s webpage. Be mindful, however, that if one of your flights is delayed or canceled, the other airline has no obligation to accommodate you, so it’s wise to leave ample time between connections. You may happen upon a fantastic opportunity!
7. Look up ticket costs for individual passengers
If you want to score cheaper flights when you’re going on a trip with loved ones, avoid looking for or purchasing many tickets at once. This might sound counterintuitive, but airline booking systems have a quirk. Airlines consistently display the most expensive ticket price among a set of tickets, resulting in a higher final cost for you. This is because they sell tickets in different price “buckets,” and if your group is larger than the number of seats left in the cheapest bucket, the system automatically moves everyone up to the next, more expensive one.
For example, I looked up tickets for a family of four, and the airline located four seats together and displayed the tariff based on the most expensive ticket price. So, let’s say there is only one seat left at $200, but plenty at $300 and $400. Therefore, rather than adding up the prices of each ticket, it will price all four tickets as $400 apiece if seat A is $200, seats B and C are $300, and seat D is $400. If there is a significant price difference, there will be a sizable additional cost.
That’s why you should always look for tickets alone first to find the true lowest price. Then, search for your group. If the per-person price jumps up, try booking in smaller groups or as individuals. You may then select your seats during the checkout process to ensure that you and your family members stay near each other. Most airlines will still allow you to choose seats together, even on separate bookings, though sometimes for a small fee.
8. Opt for cheap airlines
In the past, traditional, pricey airlines were your only option if you wanted to travel across other countries. It is no longer accurate. These days, low-cost airlines can take you almost anywhere on the globe. Carriers like Spirit, Ryanair, and AirAsia have revolutionized air travel. They may not be as comfy, and you may have to pay more for deluxe amenities like meals and checked luggage, but they nevertheless provide the world at your doorstep at an affordable price.
But be cautious—pay attention to the pricing! The majority of low-cost airlines frequently impose costs for printing your boarding ticket and checking luggage. They operate on an “à la carte” model, so the initial fare you see is just for your seat. You’ll need to pay extra for carry-on bags, seat selection, and even a drink of water on board. Always do the math. Add up the base fare plus all the necessary extras you’ll need and compare that final total to the price from a traditional carrier, which might include those things for free.
How do you hunt for cheaper flights? Now that we’ve shared our secrets, we’d love to hear yours! What’s the best flight deal you’ve ever scored, and how did you find it? Tell us your secrets in the comments section below.
If traveling and having road trips make you happy and you always find “excuses” to take your backpack and just drive along, then your money-saving mindset doesn’t stop at the airport. You’ll want to be just as savvy on the open road. That’s why you might be interested in reading this article about What Not To Buy at Gas Stations. It’s full of tips to keep more cash in your pocket for the actual destination!
