✈️ 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.
