Flying can be exciting, especially when you’re going somewhere new — but purchasing a flight can often be stressful. It can be hard to tell if you’re actually getting a good deal.
Thankfully, saving money on air travel doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By practicing and using tools that long time travelers have come to rely upon on a daily basis, you can secure great rates. That's why we put together 7 travel hacks that will save you big on your next flight.
1. Embrace Date Flexibility to Slash Costs
A very easy way to achieve better fares is to be flexible with your travel dates. Airfare is variable based on demand and some days are simply cheaper to fly.
- Generally, midweek travel, like Tuesday or Wednesday, tend to be less.
- Morning or late-night flights, while inconvenient, also tend to have lower prices.
- Traveling around holidays and school breaks will also land you a price increase.
Tools like the calendar view on Fly Cheap Fares, as well as Skyscanner or Google Flights, can help you compare dates and discover the cheapest options within a month.
2. Use Flight Comparison Tools and Alerts
Instead of checking each airline's site individually, try using flight search tools. These platforms compare prices from multiple airlines and booking services at once.
Top tools for this include:
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Momondo
- Kayak
These tools help you quickly learn how to find cheap flights from different providers. Also, setting up price alerts notifies you when fares drop, allowing you to book at the perfect time.
3. Timing Counts—Know the Best Time to Book
When you book your flight can impact the price just as much as where you're going.
Here’s a general breakdown of the best time to book flights:
- Domestic trips: Book around 1 to 3 months ahead for decent deals.
- International travel: Aim for 2 to 6 months before departure.
- Booking too early or too late often means steeper prices.
While not foolproof, many travelers also check midweek—especially Tuesday or Wednesday—for fare drops and deals.
4. Hide Your Tracks—Search in Incognito Mode
Believe it or not, websites might increase prices based on how many times they see you looking at a particular flight. This happens through cookies that track your searches.
Here’s how to fight back:
- Use your browser’s incognito or private mode when searching for flights.
- You can also clear your browser cookies before checking fares again.
This way, you will see the most accurate prices instead of inflated ones based on your browsing history.
5. Look Beyond the Main Airport
When searching flights, don’t just stick with your city’s main airport. Secondary or nearby airports can be significantly cheaper.
Examples:
- In New York, compare JFK with Newark or LaGuardia.
- In London, check Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton.
- In Los Angeles, look at LAX, Burbank, or Long Beach.
Calculate the travel time and costs to and from smaller airports—they’re often well worth the potential savings.
Also Read: https://www.flycheapfares.com/last-minute-flight-deals
6. Go Flexible for Last-Minute Flight Deals
Want to save even more? If your schedule is open and you enjoy unplanned trips, consider using the best last minute flight deals.
Here’s how to track them:
- Subscribe to airline newsletters or deal alert services.
- Follow airlines or deal pages on social media where flash sale announcements appear.
These fare drops can be substantial—but they work best when you're flexible and traveling during less busy periods.
7. Mix & Match Airlines to Save More
You don’t always need to stick with one airline for a round-trip. Mixing and matching can be surprisingly budget-friendly.
Try this:
- Buy two one-way tickets on different airlines instead of a round-trip with the same one.
- Combine budget and major airlines to balance cost and comfort.
- Search for multi-airline itineraries or “hacker fares” on tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner.
- Sometimes, combining different legs from different carriers yields the biggest savings.
If you have points or miles from credit cards or frequent flyer programs, don’t forget to use them—they can reduce or even eliminate your ticket cost.
For casual travelers:
- Join loyalty programs for airlines you fly with most.
- Use a travel rewards credit card to start earning points on everyday purchases.
- Look out for signing bonuses—these can earn you enough points for a free or discounted ticket.
Even occasional travelers can take advantage of these perks to lower their airfare—and improve their travel experience.
conclusion
Buying flights doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With just a bit of flexibility, smart timing, and clever tools, you can significantly reduce what you spend—and have more money left for the fun parts of your trip.
Let’s recap the 7 travel hacks:
- Be flexible with when you fly
- Use comparison tools and set price alerts
- Book at the right time
- Search incognito or clear cookies
- Check secondary airports
- Watch for last minute flight deals
- Mix airlines to create the cheapest combo
There are many other ways to track down low priced flights, determine times in which it is cheapest to purchase tickets, log in to unlock real last minute deals etc. Visit Fly Cheap Fares for your next travel destination, as they provide ease in low priced tickets and great service.
