How to Save Money on Flights: 15 Tips and Strategies for Affordable Travel

Hey there, travel enthusiasts!

As much as you might enjoy traveling, it can often come with the sticker shock of high prices. However, limiting your vacation spending can still mean having a great experience. It’s just a matter of knowing how to save money on the biggest travel purchases. 

Lowering your travel costs starts with saving on flights. Remember, the savviest of shoppers can even get a deal on a private jet. If that’s true, then surely you should be able to find a good deal on a commercial flight, right?

Yes! And we will show you how!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Plan ahead and book early to get the best prices
• Adjust your dates and destination if you’re not tied to specific ones
• Using the right research tools can uncover hidden savings
• Compare the rates of your booking using different platforms to find a better deal
• Sign up for travel alerts to get notified about special offers and sudden fare drops

Book Flights Early for Better Rates

One of the simplest ways to save money on flights is by booking early. You might be surprised how much you can save by planning ahead. Airline prices tend to increase significantly as the departure date gets close. So, you need to make sure to book your trip as early as you plan it. 

The ideal time to book domestic flights is about six to eight weeks in advance. But to save on international flights, book even earlier, like three to six months before. 

Be Flexible with Dates

If you’re not tied to specific dates, try adjusting your departure dates and avoid traveling during peak seasons. Booking prices vary significantly depending on the day of the week, time of year, and holidays. 

To save money on flights, the best time to travel is during off-peak periods, like mid-week or in the shoulder seasons, when travel demand is neither at its highest nor lowest. You can use tools like Google Flights’ data grid view to see how your departure or return date affects the cost of your trip, and you can play around with your dates accordingly. 

Use Flexible Date Search Tools

While still on the topic of flexibility, using tools that offer flexible date searches will make it easier for you to spot the best deals. Platforms like Skyscanner and Kayak allow you to explore a range of fares for different days, which is highly useful if you’re looking to find the cheapest fare within a specific month or season.

Know that not every airline appears on deal sites like the above. For instance, Southwest fares only show up on the company’s website, and sometimes those rates end up being the best deal out there.

Compare Multiple Booking Platforms

When searching for flight tickets, don’t settle for the first price you see. Not all booking sites offer the same deals. Some platforms might have exclusive partnerships with airlines, which allows them to offer exclusive deals and lower prices than other booking websites. 

To ensure you’re getting a good deal, take your time to compare prices across multiple sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline. As mentioned above, don’t forget to check airline websites, too. Sometimes, they offer discounts that are not available on third-party websites.

Sign Up for Fare Alerts

Notifications can sometimes be overwhelming, but they are worth it when they help you save money on flights. This is the best way to keep yourself in the loop of airfare drops and offers, especially if you don’t have time to check flight prices every day.

If you sign up on platforms like Airfarewatchdog or Scott’s Cheap Flights, you will receive notifications when prices drop, or special promotions become available to your chosen destination. These alerts are among the best ways to save on flights without constantly checking yourself.

Check Alternative Airports

Surprisingly, this can save you a chunk of change. Larger cities have multiple airports, which can be cheaper alternatives for your trip. Instead of flying into a major hub, you can choose a less busy airport to depart from or arrive at. So, when planning your next trip, consider checking smaller airports near the city of your destination. 

Consider Connecting Flights

Direct flights are super convenient, but they are also usually more expensive. How to save on flights and still reach your destination. 

If you’re open to spending a little more time traveling, consider booking a flight with one or more layovers. Connecting flights can sometimes be a lot cheaper than non-stop options. 

The experience might be a little hectic for you, especially if the layover time is long. But you can see it as an opportunity to explore another city (if you don’t need a visa).

Search for Deals and Discounts

You can always get a good deal if you try, and flights are no exception. If you want to keep an eye out for special deals and discounts, make sure you check all your options:

• Check websites like Groupon and Hotwire, which often feature discounted flight packages.
• Check with your airline for special offers and promotional codes.
• Sign up for newsletters from travel agencies, airlines, and travel websites. 

Utilize Airline Loyalty Programs

If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s smart to join an airline’s loyalty program. This is how to save on airline tickets in the long term. If you have a preferred airline, check out its loyalty program and the offers you might get from joining. 

The offered rewards differ from airline to airline. Typically, these loyalty programs allow you to collect points or miles that give you exclusive access to a set of benefits such as discounts, priority boarding, and even free flights.

Leverage Travel Reward Credit Cards

If used wisely, travel reward credit cards can be the best way to pay for airline tickets. These cards can lower your flight costs over time. Travel reward cards offer sign-up bonuses, points, and cashback on travel purchases. 

Just make sure you pay off your balance on time so you can make the most of your rewards. 

Explore Budget Airlines

When traveling on a budget, the first thing you might consider is saving on the actual flight. Compared to traditional carriers, these airlines offer much lower base fees. In this case, budget airlines, like Southwest or Ryanair, can be your best alternative. 

These carriers operate on more routes and smaller airports, which can give you more flexibility in your travel plans. 

Monitor Seasonal Sales

Airlines often run seasonal sales during slower travel periods to fill seats. This can be your opportunity to find the best flight discounts. 

Major holidays and special events may also trigger airlines to make special promotions or package deals to compete with one another. So, make sure you keep an eye on their websites and watch for their announcements to catch these deals. It is one of the best ways to get discounts on flights. 

Combine Flights for Savings

Sometimes, combining one-way flights from different airlines could be cheaper than purchasing a round-trip ticket from a single carrier. Use the fare comparison tools mentioned above, such as Skyscanner and Expedia to check both options and see which one leads to a better deal. 

Use Incognito Mode for Searches

Search engines can track your browsing history and trigger price increases based on your repeated searches for certain travel dates.

A common trick to avoid this is using your browser’s incognito or private mode while searching for tickets. This allows you to see the current ticket prices without the biased influence of your previous searches.

Check Airline Websites Directly

This one is worth highlighting multiple times. While booking websites seem conventional and helpful, airline websites are still worth the visit. Sometimes, they might have exclusive offers that are not listed on a third-party website. So, have a quick visit to check if you can find a better deal directly from the source. 

There you have it. Now you know how to save money on flight tickets! 

By planning ahead, being flexible, and using the right tools, you can find great deals while also keeping your budget in check. 

Don’t let the cost of airfare limit your travels. 

Here’s to many affordable adventures ahead — safe travels and happy savings!