✈️ How to Find Cheap Flights

Finding cheap flights doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right strategies, tools, and insider hacks, you can save hundreds of dollars on airfare. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find the best deals for domestic and international travel.

🔍 Search Strategies

  • Use Multiple Flight Search Engines: Compare prices on Kayak, Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Momondo.
  • Check Airline Websites Directly: Sometimes airlines offer lower fares or flash sales only on their official sites.
  • Flexible Dates: Flying midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday) is often cheaper than weekends.
  • Flexible Airports: Check nearby airports within 100 miles; it can save $50–$150 per ticket.

📅 Best Time to Book Flights

  • Domestic Flights: Usually 1–3 months before departure for the cheapest rates.
  • International Flights: Book 3–8 months ahead for the best deals.
  • Cheapest Months: Travel during shoulder seasons like January, February, and September.

⚡ Last-Minute Flight Deals

Sometimes waiting can pay off if airlines need to fill empty seats:

  • Check airline apps or deal sites like LastMinute.com.
  • Best for short domestic trips or flexible schedules.

🧠 Airline Hacks

  • Mix and Match One-Way Fares: Buying separate one-way tickets on different airlines often saves money.
  • Set Price Alerts: Tools like Hopper or Skyscanner alerts notify you when prices drop.
  • Use Incognito Mode: Some claim flight prices rise when repeatedly searched, so search in private browsing mode.
  • Book Flights Early in the Week: Tuesday and Wednesday often have lower fares.

💳 Credit Card Travel Tips

  • Use airline-branded or flexible travel credit cards to earn points and redeem for free or discounted flights.
  • Check if your card offers perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, or travel insurance — these can save $50–$100 per trip.
  • Combine points with discounted fares for extra savings.

🧳 Avoid Extra Fees

Cheap tickets often exclude extras, so keep these in mind:

  • Carry-on fees: $35–$75
  • Checked bags: $40–$100+
  • Seat selection and priority boarding can add $15–$60 each

💡 Pro Tips

  • Be flexible with destinations: Searching “anywhere” can reveal hidden cheap flights.
  • Use nearby alternate airports for even lower fares.
  • Subscribe to airline newsletters for exclusive flash sales.
  • Consider connecting flights instead of nonstop to save money — sometimes hundreds per ticket.

💰 Sample Cheap Flight Deals

  • New York (JFK) → Miami (MIA): $120 roundtrip on Frontier Airlines
  • Los Angeles (LAX) → Las Vegas (LAS): $98 roundtrip on Spirit Airlines
  • Chicago (ORD) → Denver (DEN): $135 roundtrip on Southwest Airlines
  • Boston (BOS) → Cancun (CUN): $249 roundtrip on JetBlue (international)

🏁 Bottom Line

Finding cheap flights is all about flexibility, timing, and using the right tools. By combining these strategies — flexible dates, multiple search engines, alerts, credit card perks, and avoiding unnecessary fees — you can consistently save money on airfare for both domestic and international travel.