21 Ways to Find Cheap Flights
As travelers, we’re constantly on the hunt for cheap flights—whether it’s months in advance while planning our next big escape, or last-minute when the travel itch hits and we’re scrambling to find a deal. We’ve been through it all, and over time, we’ve picked up some savvy strategies that help us save money without sacrificing the experience. If you’re wondering how to save on travel, these are our tried-and-true methods. Use what works best for you, and let your budget take you further!
1. Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates
We’ve learned that flexibility is key. Airfare prices change drastically depending on the day, time, and season. Flying mid-week—especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—or during shoulder seasons (just before or after peak times) has saved us hundreds over the years.
2. Use Flight Comparison Websites
We almost always start with tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Momondo our our very own Booking Resources. Their “flexible dates” and “everywhere” features have helped us find some incredible cheap flights we never would have considered otherwise.
3. Set Fare Alerts
If there’s a specific destination we have our hearts set on, we set up fare alerts to get notified when prices drop. It’s like having a personal assistant keeping an eye on deals while we go about our day.
4. Book at the Right Time
While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, we’ve had the best luck booking domestic flights 1-3 months out, and international flights 2-8 months in advance. That said, we always keep an eye out, even when we’re not planning anything specific—just in case a dream fare pops up and we can save on travel.
5. Use Incognito Mode
We’ve noticed prices can creep up when we search for the same route over and over. To avoid this, we search in incognito or private browsing mode so the websites don’t track our activity.
6. Mix and Match Airlines
Sometimes a round-trip just doesn’t cut it. Booking two one-way tickets on different airlines has not only saved us money but has also allowed for more flexible routing and overall cheaper travel.
7. Search Nearby Airports
When possible, we check all nearby airports—both departure and destination. A little extra travel time to or from a different airport can equal big savings on flights.
8. Use Points and Miles
Travel hacking changed the game for us. Whether it’s using airline miles or credit card points, we’ve flown business class for the price of economy—or even for free—just by strategically collecting and redeeming rewards. It’s one of our favorite ways to save on travel.
9. Subscribe to Deal Newsletters
We’re big fans of newsletters like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Dollar Flight Club, and Airfarewatchdog. They’ve alerted us to mistake fares and rare discounts that we’d never have found on our own.
10. Consider Budget Airlines
We’ve flown on plenty of low-cost carriers, especially in Europe and Asia. While amenities might be minimal, the savings often make it worth it. Just double-check baggage policies and extra fees when booking cheap flights.
11. Use Airline Flash Sales
We keep an eye on airline newsletters and social media accounts so we’re the first to know about flash sales. Some of our best fares came from 24-hour sales we almost missed!
12. Book Connecting Flights Separately
If direct flights are too pricey, we look at piecing together two or more flights ourselves. It takes a bit more planning, but when it saves hundreds, it’s totally worth it.
13. Look for Error Fares
Error fares feel like winning the lottery. Sites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal are our go-to sources for spotting these golden opportunities to travel on a budget.
14. Travel During Off-Peak Hours
We’ve caught some amazing deals by flying during early morning or red-eye hours. It’s not always fun, but it’s often the cheapest way to go.
15. Use Multi-City Search Options
Sometimes we want to see more than one place. Using the multi-city feature has helped us create smarter itineraries that are cheaper than traditional round-trips.
16. Join Airline Loyalty Programs
Even if we’re not loyal to just one airline, joining programs still gets us perks and sometimes exclusive deals. Plus, it doesn’t cost anything to sign up.
17. Check Foreign Booking Sites
There have been times when booking through an international version of an airline’s site (using a VPN) saved us quite a bit due to currency differences or local promos. It’s a handy trick when looking for cheap flights.
18. Use a VPN to Change Your Location
We’ve experimented with using VPNs to simulate being in different countries while searching for flights—and sometimes, the fares are noticeably cheaper.
19. Avoid Peak Travel Periods
Flying around holidays or major events? You’ll pay a premium. We try to fly right before or after those windows to get better rates and avoid the crowds.
20. Consider Alternate Routes
We don’t shy away from creative routes—sometimes a long layover or routing through a different country can save us big time. Tools like Kiwi.com are great for uncovering those affordable options.
21. Be Ready to Book Fast
When you see a deal that feels too good to be true—book it. We’ve learned that waiting even a few hours can mean missing out. Many booking platforms offer 24-hour cancellation, so don’t hesitate.
Final Thoughts
Scoring cheap flights is part research, part timing, and part luck. But with these 21 tips, you’ll have everything you need to travel smarter and save on travel expenses. Whether you’re planning months ahead or packing last minute like we often do, these strategies will help you cut costs and travel more often. Here’s to exploring the world affordably—because travel should be about the experience, not the price tag!
