Here Are 10 Easy Ways To Get Cheaper Flights (I Use These To Get Great Deals)
Finding flights can get stressful (and expensive!), if you don’t know what you’re doing–It’s something that all us adventurers have to do, and yet many don’t know the tricks to make things easier.
I’m going to share with you the steps that I take, every time I book flights, to make sure I get the best deals, stress-free. I’ve basically had to learn the hard way over a long time travelling, but I’ve tried to condense everything into this handy guide.
Here are my 10 tips for finding the cheapest flights for your next adventure.
Be Flexible With Travel Dates And Times
I know this one isn’t always possible, which is why I’m getting it out there first.
If you can be flexible on the time you travel, it’s worth considering, because airline prices can vary significantly depending on the day of the week, the season, or upcoming holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, or summer breaks.
When searching for flights on websites like Skyscanner, the calendar view shows the cheapest weeks/months to fly, helping you find the best times for your trip.
I remember booking flights to Dublin, and flights for my original dates were double the price of the week before, and there wasn’t an obvious reason why–luckily for me, I could be flexible and go with the week before.
Another thing to consider is the time of year. If you’re flying at peak times, expect higher prices. The solution is to travel off-season. Flexibility with your dates can allow you to snap up cheaper fares.
Also, flying on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday is usually cheaper than weekends, as fewer people fly then; Early morning or late-night flights also tend to be cheaper for the same reason.
Consider Budget Airlines
Look, I know some budget airlines are tough to endure, but if you want cheap flights, then they’re your friend.
In the past, flying internationally meant sticking with expensive traditional carriers, but now budget airlines offer a cheaper alternative, and we should take advantage of that. While you may have to pay for extras like checked baggage or meals, budget carriers can help you save significantly.
They mainly operate short- and medium-haul routes, but these days there are some longer haul budget options.
Here’s a list of budget airlines in different regions:
- Canada: Flair Airlines, Swoop, WestJet
- US: Southwest, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue
- Asia: Air Asia, Scoot, Cebu Pacific
- Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air
- Australia/New Zealand: JetStar
- Middle East: Pegasus, flyDubai
They might not be a luxurious way of travelling, but sometimes they’re necessary so we can spend more on the stuff that really matters, like exploring the destination you’re going to!
Watch out for extra fees, and make sure to account for these when comparing prices with larger carriers.
Book Early (But Not Too Early)
In my experience, flights generally rise in price as the departure date nears due to lower availability, but booking too far in advance can also result in higher prices-there’s a sweet spot.
I’d recommend booking flights about 2-3 months before departure, or around five months for peak season travel. This timeframe tends to offer the best balance between availability and price.
Keep An Eye Out For Deals
I know marketing emails can get annoying, but signing up for airline newsletters is a good idea to catch some great deals.
Though most won’t match your plans, some might surprise you with incredible discounts–again if you can be flexible, it’s ideal for cheaper flights. Deals can be available for just 24 hours, so it pays to stay informed.
Sites like Kayak, Cheapflights and Going are excellent for finding discounted flight deals. Plus, newsletters can also offer frequent flyer bonuses, helping you save on future travel!
Don’t Always Fly Direct
Not flying directly to your destination isn’t really a desirable thing to do, but it can get you a better deal.
Being open to a potentially longer route can lead to great savings. For example, sometimes flying into a nearby city and catching a budget airline, or train, to your destination can be cheaper than booking a direct flight–I’ve literally saved hundreds of dollars doing this before, crazy!.
So, I always check prices to nearby airports as part of my search for flights, and compare the savings to see if it’s worth doing.
Search Multiple Engines
No single search engine covers all airlines, so don’t limit yourself to only one.
Some sites might not include budget or regional carriers, for example, so it’s important to check a variety of sources.
Skyscanner and Google Flights are my go-to places, because they offer a comprehensive range of options, but I also check sites like Kayak and Trip as well.
Mix And Match Airlines
Another trick is to look at booking different legs of your journey with separate airlines.
When you book directly with an airline, you’re limited to their flights or those of their partners.
However, booking your outbound and inbound flights, for example, with separate airlines can offer more flexibility and savings. I recommend using a site like Kiwi.com to help with this–they specialise in piecing together flights for the best price.
Use Points And Miles
Sign up for a travel credit card to start earning points and miles. I always recommend this to anyone who plans on travelling; Get one and use it for everyday purchases that you’d be making anyway!
Many offer generous sign-up bonuses and perks like access to airport lounges or travel insurance.
By collecting points, you can significantly reduce the cost of future flights and even score free upgrades.
Search For Individual Tickets
If you’re travelling with a group, search for individual tickets instead of booking multiple seats at once–you probably won’t be seated together, but it can save you a lot.
Airlines typically display the highest fare when grouping tickets, so you could end up paying more for everyone.
Look For Tickets In Different Currencies
Not everyone is going to want the hassle of doing this, but if your currency is strong, switch the currency on the airline’s website to one that’s weaker, and you might find you end up paying a lot less.
It’s the same airline, the same flight, but paid for in a different currency, just remember to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges.
Conclusion
There are plenty of myths out there about how to find cheap flights, but many are outdated or inaccurate.
Despite popular belief, tricks like buying on a specific day, or searching in incognito mode, won’t really do much for you.
Airlines use complex algorithms to determine prices, so focus on flexibility and searching across multiple platforms to get the best deal.
