Ultimate Guide To Find Cheapest Flights

Are you tired of paying too much for your airline tickets? With a little bit of effort and some insider knowledge, you can find great deals on flights and save a lot of money. In this article, we’ll share our tips and strategies for finding the cheapest flight tickets.

Be aware of common myths about finding cheap flights

There are many myths circulating about how to get the best deal on a plane ticket, and it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common myths about finding cheap flights, and explain why they may not be true.

Myth #1: There is a Magic Day of the Week to Buy Tickets

One of the most persistent myths about finding cheap flights is that there is a certain day of the week that you should buy your tickets to get the best deal. However, the reality is that prices can fluctuate at any time, and there is no magic day of the week to buy a plane ticket. While it’s true that some airlines may offer sales on certain days of the week, it’s important to monitor prices regularly and be flexible with your travel dates to find the best deal.

Myth #2: Clearing Your Browser Cookies Will Help You Find Cheaper Flights

Another common myth is that clearing your browser cookies will help you find cheaper flights. The idea behind this myth is that airlines and booking sites use cookies to track your search history, and by clearing your cookies, you’ll be able to see lower prices. However, this is not necessarily true. Prices can still change based on supply and demand, and other factors like the time of year or day of the week. Clearing your cookies may have no effect on the prices you see.

Myth #3: Booking Directly with the Airline is Always Cheaper

Many people believe that booking directly with the airline is always cheaper. While it’s true that some airlines offer deals that can only be found on their website, sometimes booking through a third-party site can actually be cheaper, especially if you’re bundling your flight with a hotel or rental car. It’s important to compare prices across multiple platforms and be open to booking through a variety of channels.

Myth #4: Last-Minute Deals are Always the Cheapest

While it’s true that airlines may offer last-minute deals to fill empty seats, this is not always the case. In fact, booking early can often save you money, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. It’s important to monitor prices regularly and be flexible with your travel dates to find the best deal.

Myth #6: Using a Travel Agent is Always More Expensive

Many people believe that using a travel agent is always more expensive, but this is not necessarily true. While some travel agents may charge a fee for their services, they can often find deals and discounts that you may not be able to find on your own. Additionally, they can help you with other aspects of your trip, such as booking hotels and activities.

Myth #7: Budget Airlines are Always Cheaper

While budget airlines may offer lower prices, they often charge extra fees for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and food and drinks. Be sure to factor in all of these additional costs when comparing prices with other airlines. Additionally, budget airlines may have limited routes and schedules, so they may not always be the best option for your travel needs.

By understanding these common myths about finding cheap flights, you can avoid falling for misinformation and find the best deals on your next trip.

Understanding Airline Pricing

To find cheap flights, it’s essential to understand how airline pricing works. Here are some key factors that affect flight prices:

Seasonality

Flight prices can vary depending on the time of year. For example, flights during peak travel seasons, such as summer and holidays, are typically more expensive than off-season flights. To save money, consider traveling during shoulder seasons, which are the periods between peak and off-peak seasons.

Supply and Demand

The law of supply and demand also applies to airline pricing. If there is high demand for a flight, the price will go up. Similarly, if there is low demand, the price will go down. To take advantage of low demand and find cheaper flights, consider traveling during weekdays or during off-peak hours.

Advance Booking

Booking your flight in advance can save you money. Typically, the earlier you book, the lower the price. However, it’s important to note that some airlines may offer last-minute deals to fill up unsold seats. So, if you’re flexible with your travel plans, you may be able to snag a cheap flight by waiting until the last minute to book.

Flight Time and Day

The time of day and day of the week can also affect flight prices. For example, flights on weekdays are often cheaper than weekend flights, and red-eye flights are often cheaper than daytime flights. To find the best deals, try to be flexible with your travel schedule.

Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Times

One of the best ways to save money on flights is by being flexible with your travel dates and times.

Check Flights During Off-Peak Seasons: Flights during peak travel seasons like summer and holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, and July 4th tend to be more expensive. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, consider traveling during off-peak seasons when flights tend to be cheaper.

Generally, the high season in Europe tends to be during the summer months of June, July, and August, when many tourists flock to the continent to enjoy the warm weather and popular attractions.

For example, a roundtrip flight from New York City to Paris leaving in August can cost around $1,200. However, if you change your travel dates to depart in November, the price drops to around $500. Traveling to Paris from November to March is cheaper when fewer people visit and demand is lower.

If you try to go to Hawaii during Christmas? Prices will be the at the highest!!

Fly on Less Popular Days: In general, flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be cheaper than flights on Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays, and Sundays. If possible, try to schedule your flight on one of these less popular days to save money.

Most people travel on weekends and airlines tend to increase their prices accordingly. Fridays and Mondays are expensive because most business travelers fly on those days.

For example, a roundtrip flight from New York City to Los Angeles leaving on a Friday and returning on a Sunday in June can cost around $400. However, if you change your travel dates to depart on a Tuesday and return on a Thursday, the price drops to around $250.

Consider Red Eye Flights: Red-eye flights are flights that depart late at night or early in the morning. These flights can be cheaper than flights during the day, and can also save you a night’s accommodation cost.

For example, a roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to New York City leaving during the day in June can cost around $500. However, if you change your travel dates to depart on a red-eye flight, the price drops to around $300.

Prices are often cheaper if you fly right after or on a major holiday because airlines tend to lower their prices during these times. After a major holiday, there may be a decrease in demand for travel. Additionally, people tend to avoid traveling on major holidays because they want to spend time with their families and friends.

Use Flexible Search Tools: There are many flight search engines and aggregator sites that allow you to search for flights across multiple airlines and dates. These tools often have flexible search options that let you search for flights within a range of dates, or even within a range of months. Some examples of these tools include Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak.

Searching for flexible dates on Google Flights is a great way to find the cheapest flight options for your desired destination.

• Go to Google Flights and enter your departure city and destination city.
• Then simply click on the date box to expand the calendar view of the month and you will see the price for each day within 2 months window. This helps you to find the cheapest days to fly.

Be Willing to Take Connecting Flights: Non-stop flights are often more expensive than connecting flights. If you’re willing to take a connecting flight or two, you may be able to find a cheaper ticket. Just make sure you have enough time between flights to make your connection, and factor in any additional time you may need to spend at the airport.

By being flexible with your travel dates and times, you can often find cheap flight tickets and save money on your next flight!!

Be Flexible with Your Destination

If you can not be flexible with a date but If you’re open to exploring new destinations, you can save a lot of money on flights. Instead of searching for flights to a specific city or region, try searching for flights to a larger area, such as a country or continent.

Being flexible with your destination can also help you find cheaper flight tickets. Instead of having a specific location in mind, consider exploring different destinations that offer affordable flights.

Airline search engines have made it extremely simple to search the entire globe for the cheapest ticket. You no longer have to manually search per city.

Many flight search engines offer the option to search for flights to “anywhere” or “everywhere.” This feature allows you to explore different destinations and find the cheapest flights available. Websites like Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights offer this feature.

You can use the “Explore” feature on Google Flights to search for flights to “anywhere”:

Step-1

• Go to the Google Flights website and enter your departure airport in the “From” field.
• Leave the “To” field blank or type “Everywhere” or “Explore” in the “To” field.
• Choose your travel dates, either specific dates or flexible dates, by clicking on the departure and return fields.
• Click on the “Explore destinations” button.

Step-2

• You will be taken to a new page where you can see a world map with different destinations and their corresponding prices listed on the right-hand side.
• You can zoom in and out of the map to see different regions and cities, or filter your search results by price, airline, or the number of stops.

If you like to look it up with a flexible destination and the date, then you can search via the “Flexible Date” option. You can also choose the period of time like a weekend, 1-week or 2-week time period.

• Once you find a destination and price you like, click on the destination on the map or the corresponding price on the right-hand side to be taken to a new page where you can view flight options and book your ticket.

By being flexible with your destination, you can save money on flights and explore new and exciting places.

Take Advantage of Budget Airlines

Flying with budget airlines can be a great way to save money on your flights. However, it’s important to keep in mind that budget airlines often have different policies and fees than traditional airlines.

One of the most important things to consider when flying with budget airlines is baggage. Many budget airlines charge extra fees for checked baggage and even carry-on baggage. It’s important to read the airline’s baggage policy carefully before booking your ticket to avoid any surprise fees at the airport.

For example, Ryanair, a popular budget airline in Europe, charges a fee for both checked and carry-on baggage, and the fees increase if you wait to pay until you arrive at the airport.

Another thing to keep in mind when flying with budget airlines is that they often have strict rules and fees for making changes to your reservation. For example, some budget airlines may charge a fee for changing your flight time or date, or even for correcting a misspelled name on your ticket. It’s important to understand the airline’s policies before booking so you can avoid any unexpected fees.

To ensure that the price is less expensive than a larger carrier, be careful to add up the cost of the ticket AND the fees.

Despite these potential pitfalls, flying with budget airlines can be a great way to save money on your travels. For example, AirAsia, a budget airline based in Malaysia, offers flights within Asia for as low as $10. Ryanair offers flights within Europe for as low as €10. By keeping an eye out for these deals and being mindful of the airlines’ policies and fees, you can save a significant amount of money on your flights.

It’s also important to keep in mind that not all budget airlines are created equal. Some may offer more comfortable seating or better customer service than others. It’s a good idea to read reviews and do some research on the airline before booking to ensure that you’re comfortable with the level of service and amenities they provide.

Moreover, you should confirm where the airport for the low-cost airline is located at your planned destination. These airlines frequently land and take off from airports that are located outside of major cities, where there are few affordable transit choices.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Paris and you find a great deal on a flight with a low-cost airline, it’s important to check which airport in Paris the airline flies into. Some low-cost airlines fly into airports that are located far from the city center, such as Beauvais Airport, which is over 80 km away from central Paris. This means you may need to spend more money and time on transportation to get to your final destination.

With some research and planning, you can find great deals on budget airlines and enjoy affordable travel to your destination.

Taking Connection Flight vs Flighing Direct

Flying direct can often be the most convenient option, but it’s not always the cheapest. In many cases, you can save money by taking a connecting flight.

Look for connecting flights: When searching for flights, make sure to select the option to include connecting flights. This will often bring up cheaper options than direct flights.

For example, it may be less expensive to fly to London and then take a low-cost airline to Amsterdam than to fly directly to Amsterdam from your departure city.

To use this method, first determine how much it will cost to travel directly to your destination. Then, open Google Flights and enter that destination’s continent to see prices to nearby airports.

Consider layover time: When choosing a connecting flight, make sure to consider the layover time. A shorter layover may be more convenient, but a longer layover can often save you more money.

Check different airlines: You may be able to find cheaper connecting flights by flying with different airlines for each leg of your journey.

Ensure that there are at least 3-4 hours between connections if you do book different segments. This will give you enough time in case one flight is delayed, as your second flight won’t wait for you if it is a separate booking. In some cases, airlines may not provide compensation or assistance if the missed flight was not part of the original itinerary.

Additionally, if you have checked baggage, you may have to retrieve and recheck your baggage between flights, which can be time-consuming and potentially lead to lost or delayed luggage. It is important to weigh the potential cost savings of booking separate segments against the potential risks and inconveniences.

This method requires more effort because you must research various routes and airlines. However, it can reduce the cost of your flight, which is worth the extra effort if you end up saving a few hundred dollars.

Look for budget airlines: Budget airlines often offer cheaper connecting flights than traditional airlines.

For example, let’s say you want to fly from New York to Paris. A direct flight may cost $800, but a connecting flight with a layover in Iceland may only cost $500. Similarly, a flight from London to Bangkok with a layover in Dubai on a budget airline can often be significantly cheaper than a direct flight on a traditional airline.

Flights from nearby airports or regional airports are often cheaper than those from larger airports. You can check other airports to see if it would be cheaper to fly, take a train, or drive there before continuing on to your final destination. That can be worth the extra time for long overseas flights!

Just make sure to factor in any additional costs such as luggage fees or transit to and from different airports.

Use Fare Alert Services & Special Deals

Early access to deals: Many airlines offer flash sales and other promotions to customers who have signed up for their newsletters. This can give you early access to deals before they become available to the general public.

These airline flash sales and promotions are only available for a limited time (usually 24 hours). If you aren’t constantly searching the web for sales, you will most likely miss out on the best deals.

Joining mailing lists for airlines and last-minute deal websites will provide you with access to the best deals available. I know, most of them will not fit into your schedule, but keeping an eye on the deals will ensure you don’t miss out on a fantastic opportunity.

Furthermore, airline newsletters frequently offer frequent flier bonuses. Those points and miles can add up to free flights and awesome upgrades if you’re a travel hacker.

Fare alert services are an excellent way to stay up-to-date on flight prices and snag the best deals when they become available.

• Save money: Fare alert services allow you to set price alerts for specific flights, routes, or destinations. When the prices drop, you receive a notification, and you can book the flight at a lower price.
• Flexibility: If you’re flexible with your travel dates, fare alert services can help you find the best deals available. You can set alerts for multiple dates or destinations, and the service will notify you when a deal becomes available.
• Convenience: Rather than constantly checking airline websites for price drops, fare alert services do the work for you. You can set alerts and receive notifications without having to constantly monitor prices.

There are several fare alert services available, and most of them are free.

• Google Flights: You can set up price alerts for specific flights or routes and receive email notifications when the price drops.
• Skyscanner: Skyscanner offers a price alert service that sends you an email when the price drops for a specific flight or route.
• Hopper: Hopper is a mobile app that allows you to set up fare alerts and track flight prices.
• Airfarewatchdog: This website offers a fare alert service that sends you email notifications when the price drops for a specific flight or route.

Other Best Sites For Finding Travel Deals

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – Subscription-based service that alerts members to the latest flight deals departing from their chosen departure airports.
• The Flight Deal – Offers daily flight deals and mistake fares, helping travelers find cheap flights worldwide.
• Holiday Pirates – Travel deals and inspiration website offering cheap flight tickets, hotel stays, and vacation packages.
• Secret Flying – Specializes in finding error fares, flight deals, and cheap flights from all over the world.

Overall, fare alert services are an excellent way to stay on top of flight prices and save money on your travels. By setting up alerts for specific flights or routes, you can ensure that you’re always getting the best deal available.

Use Multiple Search Engines to Find Cheap Tickets

When it comes to searching for cheap flights, not all search engines are equal. Each search engine has its own algorithms, data sources, and partnerships, which means that the same flight can be listed at different prices on different search engines.

Many major search engines do not include budget airlines or obscure foreign carriers because they do not want to pay a booking commission. Others do not include non-English booking sites.

For example, one search engine may have a partnership with a certain airline that allows it to offer exclusive deals on that airline’s flights, while another search engine may not have that partnership and therefore cannot offer those deals.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to use multiple search engines when looking for cheap flights. Some search engines may be better for certain routes or airlines, so it’s important to compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.

Here are popular flight search engines, I always start with them because they consistently produce the best results.

• Google Flights
• Skyscanner typically serves as the starting point for my searches because it looks at all major and budget airlines, non-English websites, and everything in between. They check all the websites they link to since they have tight requirements for who they work. It’s one of the most comprehensive booking sites available, and they always have the best price.
• Kayak
• Momondo.

By using a combination of these search engines, you can increase your chances of finding the cheapest flights available.

Start your search early (but not too early)

Starting your search early is one of the most important things you can do when looking for cheap flights. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Booking your flight early can save you money, but booking too early can actually end up costing you more.

The sweet spot for booking flights is typically around 2-3 months before your departure date. If you are going to a popular destination at its peak season then you can book 4-5 months in advance. Booking too far in advance can mean you’re paying premium prices while waiting until the last minute can mean sky-high prices.

For example, if you’re planning a trip to Hawaii in December, you might be tempted to book your flight as soon as you know your travel dates in January. However, airlines often don’t release their cheapest fares until about 3-4 months before the departure date. So if you book too early, you may end up paying a higher price than necessary. On the other hand, if you wait too long, prices may skyrocket as demand increases closer to the holiday season.

It’s important to note that this timeline can vary depending on the destination, season, and other factors. For instance, flights to popular summer vacation spots should be booked earlier than flights to less popular destinations during the same season.

To get the best deal, monitor prices and set up price alerts so you can book when the price is right. Additionally, consider being flexible with your travel dates and even your destination to increase your chances of finding a great deal.

Use Travel Rewards Points & Miles

Regardless of how often you fly, using points and miles is a great way to save money on flights. Many airlines have frequent flyer programs that allow you to earn points or miles for every flight you take. You can also earn points by using credit cards that offer rewards programs.

Consider applying for a travel rewards card as soon as you plan to travel. Airline loyalty programs can offer various benefits, such as free flights, travel perks like aircraft upgrades, hotel stays, access to airport lounges, and more. Additionally, some programs offer sizable welcome bonuses and credits for ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully and choose a card that matches your spending habits and travel goals. You’ll also want to be mindful of any annual fees or interest rates associated with the card.

Booking Separate Segments

Booking tickets as separate segments, also known as “hacker fares,” is a method of buying individual legs of a journey on different airlines or as one-way tickets. This can often result in significant savings, especially when booking through platforms such as Kiwi.com.

Kiwi.com is an online travel agency that offers a unique approach to finding cheap flights by combining flights from different airlines into a single itinerary. This technique, known as “virtual interlining,” allows Kiwi.com to offer lower prices compared to traditional airlines. By booking flights as separate segments, travelers can save money on their overall travel costs. Additionally, Kiwi.com offers a “Guarantee” feature that protects travelers from flight cancellations or delays, providing peace of mind and a stress-free travel experience

For example, if you’re flying from New York to London, instead of booking a direct flight, you could book a one-way ticket from New York to Dublin and then another one-way ticket from Dublin to London.

This may save you money compared to booking a direct flight. However, it’s important to keep in mind that booking separate segments come with risks, such as flight delays or cancellations on one leg of the journey affecting the rest of the trip.

Check for Tickets in Other Currencies

Looking for tickets in other currencies can sometimes lead to significant savings. Many airlines offer different prices depending on the currency used for the purchase, so it’s worth checking if your preferred airline has a website with a different currency option.

If your country’s currency is currently strong in comparison to others around the world, look for airfare in a country where the currency is weaker.

For example, if you’re in the US and looking to fly with a European airline, checking the prices in Euros may be cheaper than in USD due to currency exchange rates. However, make sure to check the exchange rate and any associated fees before making the purchase.

It’s also important to note that some airlines may require a credit card with a billing address in the country of the currency used for purchase. Also, make sure to use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card to avoid paying a surcharge.

Searching for tickets for individual travelers vs Groups

Searching for tickets for individual travelers can sometimes yield cheaper prices than searching for tickets for a group of travelers. This is because airlines often have a limited number of seats available at a certain price point, and searching for multiple tickets at once can limit the available options. By searching for tickets individually, you can often find the lowest prices available for each seat.

For example, let’s say you’re looking for four tickets to a destination and the lowest price you can find is $300 per ticket. However, if you search for just one ticket at a time, you might find that there are two seats available at $200 each and two seats available at $250 each. By purchasing these tickets separately, you could potentially save up to $200 on the total cost of your trip.

After that, during the checkout process, you can select your seats so that you and your family can sit together. Even if you don’t end up next to each other, it’s a fair trade for saving a few hundred dollars. However, it’s important to consider the logistics of traveling separately, such as the possibility of not being seated together on the flight.

Look For Student Discounts

Many airlines offer special discounts and benefits for students. If you’re a student, it’s worth creating an account with the airlines that you frequently fly with or plan to fly with. They may require you to provide proof of enrollment, such as a student ID, in order to access the discounts.

The following airlines offer discounted fares for students:

• Student Universe: StudentUniverse offers exclusive travel discounts and deals for students, youth, and teachers.
• Flight Centre is a global travel agency that offers a range of travel services and personalized trip planning.

Additionally, some airlines may offer special perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, or flexible change policies to students. It’s also worth checking with your university or college to see if they have partnerships with any airlines that offer discounts to students.

If you’re not sure which airlines offer discounts, go to their website or call them. It is not advertised so you may need to do some digging.

Taking advantage of these student accounts can save you a significant amount of money on your flights.