How to Get 50% Off on a Flight

Saving 50% or more on flights is not only possible—it’s something savvy travelers do all the time. Whether you’re planning a vacation, a business trip, or a last-minute getaway, knowing the right booking tricks can slash your airfare dramatically. Here’s a complete guide to help you consistently find massive discounts, including real strategies that frequent travelers swear by.

1. Watch for Airline Flash Sales

Airline flash sales are one of the easiest ways to get 50% off. These limited-time promotions often run for 24–72 hours, offering deep discounts on select domestic and international routes.

How to catch them:

Subscribe to airline email newsletters
Follow airlines on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Enable app notifications for flight deal alerts

Some airlines even drop surprise midnight sales—so checking early in the morning can pay off.

2. Use Flight Deal Websites

Several websites and apps track error fares and unusually low prices. These deals can easily cut 40–70% off the regular fare.

Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
Airfarewatchdog
Secret Flying
HolidayPirates

These platforms scan thousands of fares daily, delivering discounts directly to your inbox.

3. Book During Weekly Fare Drops

Airline prices fluctuate constantly, but the cheapest days to purchase tickets are usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That’s when airlines adjust fares to match competitors, resulting in lower prices.

Bonus tip: Check prices early in the morning (around 5–9 AM) for the best chance at fresh deals.

4. Use Points, Miles, and Credit Card Rewards

One of the easiest ways to get 50% off—or even fly for free—is by using travel rewards. Many credit cards offer welcome bonuses worth hundreds of dollars in travel value.

You can save 50% by:

Redeeming frequent flyer miles
Using credit card travel portals
Taking advantage of points-transfer bonuses
Booking flights during mileage sales

Some cards even offer a 25–50% extra redemption bonus, instantly boosting the value of your points.

5. Look for Seasonal Promo Codes

Airlines release promo codes during major holidays and sales events. Depending on the promo, you can get 20–50% off your flight instantly at checkout.

Common sale periods include:

Black Friday & Cyber Monday
New Year’s travel sales
Summer kickoff sales
Back-to-school travel promotions

6. Fly Budget Airlines During Promotions

Low-cost carriers frequently offer massive discounts—sometimes as low as $19 or “Buy One, Get One 50% Off.” While these airlines charge extra for add-ons, the base fare alone can save you a significant amount.

Examples of budget airlines: Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, JetBlue (during sales).

7. Book 6–8 Weeks in Advance

Booking too early or too late can cost you more. The sweet spot for most flights is about 6–8 weeks before travel. Prices often peak within 14 days of departure, so early booking helps lock in savings.

8. Use Flexible Date Searches

If your travel dates are flexible, you can often save 30–60% simply by flying a day earlier or later. Flight comparison tools let you see the cheapest days to fly.

Use these tools:

Google Flights “Flexible Dates”
Skyscanner “Whole Month” search
KAYAK “Price Graph” view

9. Check Alternative Airports

Flying into or out of a different airport can instantly reduce prices by 20–50%. Many major cities have multiple airports with drastically different pricing.

Example: Baltimore (BWI) is often cheaper than Washington D.C. airports.

10. Stack Multiple Discounts

You can sometimes combine methods to create stacked savings. For example:

Book during a flash sale + use a promo code
Use airline miles + book on a low-fare calendar
Use a credit card portal + apply a points multiplier

Stacking deals is how many travelers consistently get 50–70% off their flights.

Final Thoughts

Getting 50% off a flight isn’t magic—it’s strategy. With the right tools, flexibility, and timing, anyone can score huge discounts. Whether you’re tracking flash sales, redeeming miles, booking mid-week, or using flexible date searches, each of these techniques can dramatically reduce your travel costs.

Start applying these tips on your next booking, and you’ll quickly notice how much you can save. Happy travels and happy savings!