Finding cheap flights can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but with the right strategies, you can score fantastic deals without breaking the bank. As airfare continues to fluctuate, knowing when, where, and how to book can help you save significantly. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or an international adventure, this guide will walk you through insider tips to find the cheapest flights, ensuring you travel smart and within your budget.
Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
One of the most effective ways to find cheap flights is to stay flexible with your travel dates and destinations. Airline prices can vary dramatically depending on the time of year, day of the week, or even the time of day.
- Travel During Off-Peak Seasons: Avoid flying during peak travel seasons, such as summer and major holidays, when demand is highest, and fares are expensive. Opt for shoulder seasons (the months just before or after peak travel periods) to score lower fares.
- Midweek Flights: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to fly. Midweek flights tend to have lower demand, leading to lower prices.
- Use Fare Comparison Tools: Use tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak’s “Explore” feature to discover budget-friendly destinations and identify the cheapest times to fly. You can compare multiple airlines and dates to find the best deals.
Set Fare Alerts
Another great way to find cheap flights is by setting up fare alerts. Many travel websites and apps allow you to set notifications when prices drop for your chosen route.
- Google Flights and Skyscanner: These platforms let you set price alerts for specific destinations. You’ll receive an email or notification when the fare changes, allowing you to book at the optimal time.
- Hopper: This app not only lets you set fare alerts but also uses historical data to predict whether prices will rise or fall. It will suggest whether you should book now or wait for a better deal.
Book in Advance but Not Too Early
Timing is everything when it comes to booking flights. While booking well in advance is often recommended, there’s a sweet spot for securing the best deals.
- For Domestic Flights: The ideal time to book is typically between 1-3 months before your departure. Booking too early or too close to the travel date can result in higher fares.
- For International Flights: Booking 3-6 months in advance can help you secure lower fares. However, for some destinations, such as Europe or Asia, booking even earlier—around 6-9 months—may be beneficial, especially during peak travel periods.
Use Airline Points and Frequent Flyer Programs
Frequent flyer programs and credit card rewards can be a valuable asset in finding cheap flights or even free travel.
- Join Frequent Flyer Programs: Many airlines offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn miles for each flight you take. Accumulating these points can lead to free or discounted flights in the future. Popular programs include Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and American Airlines AAdvantage.
- Use Travel Rewards Credit Cards: If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, use it to accumulate points on everyday purchases. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, or Capital One Venture offer generous points that can be redeemed for flights.

Look for Budget Airlines
Budget airlines can offer significantly lower fares than traditional carriers, but there are a few things to consider when flying with these airlines.
- Low-Cost Carriers: Airlines such as Southwest, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Spirit Airlines often offer deeply discounted fares. However, these airlines may charge extra fees for things like checked luggage, seat selection, and in-flight meals. Always read the fine print to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
- Check Secondary Airports: Many budget airlines fly to secondary airports rather than major hubs. While this may mean traveling a bit farther to reach your destination, the savings can often make it worthwhile.
Take Advantage of Stopovers
Long layovers or stopovers can save you money, and in some cases, allow you to explore another destination along the way.
- Use Multi-City Search: When searching for flights, use the multi-city option to see if breaking your journey with a stopover reduces the fare. For example, when flying from the U.S. to Europe, adding a stop in Iceland with a budget airline like WOW Air can save hundreds of dollars.
- Look for Stopover Programs: Some airlines, such as Emirates and Turkish Airlines, offer stopover programs that let you explore their home cities for a day or two at no extra cost. This is a great way to stretch your travel budget and experience another destination.
Book One-Way Tickets
In some cases, booking two one-way tickets with different airlines may be cheaper than booking a round-trip ticket.
- Mix and Match Airlines: Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to find the cheapest one-way fares on different airlines. By mixing and matching, you may find cheaper overall fares than a traditional round-trip booking.
- Open-Jaw Tickets: If you’re visiting multiple cities, consider booking an open-jaw ticket. This allows you to fly into one city and out of another, which can be cheaper than booking multiple one-way flights.
Take Advantage of Error Fares
Occasionally, airlines or travel websites make pricing mistakes, leading to incredibly low fares. While these “error fares” don’t happen often, they can be a goldmine for savvy travelers.
- Follow Flight Deal Websites: Websites like Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, and Airfarewatchdog specialize in finding these error fares and posting them quickly before they disappear.
- Act Fast: Error fares can be fixed within hours, so if you find one, book immediately. Many airlines will honor the fare, but there’s always a risk that the ticket could be canceled.
Conclusion
By using these savvy travel hacks, you can find the cheapest flights and make your travel dreams a reality without overspending. Flexibility, timing, and taking advantage of tools like fare alerts, rewards programs, and budget airlines are key to scoring great deals. Whether you’re planning a domestic weekend getaway or an international adventure, these tips will help you save money and get the best value for your next flight.