Whether you’re taking a vacation or flying for business, airfare is sure to rack up the highest bill. However, finding an affordable flight is essential for any trip, whether you’re a single traveler on a tight budget, a family planning an international vacation, or a businessperson jetting off on a business trip. So to help you find cheap flights, here are 11 tips for booking cheap flights tickets!
11 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights
To assist you in booking a low-cost flight, we have compiled some of our most frequently asked-for tips and tricks. So let’s have a look:
1) Book Early
The last three weeks prior to a flight are typically the most expensive. One of the simplest ways to guarantee the best rate is to make your reservation as soon as possible. If you book within three months to thirty days of your trip, you should be able to get the best rates.
If you want to guarantee a specific flight seat during the busy holiday season, it’s best to book well in advance. For example, a seat near the restrooms might cost the same as a seat near the front of the plane.
2) Opt for Price Alerts on Websites or Google
You can save money by not buying a flight right away if you start looking for them early, as prices will only go up closer to the departure date. Instead, you can sign up for a price alert that will let you know when the price of a ticket goes up or down if you’re still deciding whether to buy it.
If you need to buy tickets for everyone in your family, even a small drop in price can add to significant savings over a few days. Google Flights will also display the flight trends in graphical format.
3) Use Incognito
Airlines use internet search data to determine the demand for specific flights, days, and times and to set prices accordingly. You can partially avoid this by searching for flights through an anonymous browser window or by deleting your search cookies.
You’ll notice that the cost of a specific flight or desired departure date will rise the more you look into it. Because the more you look into a flight, the more likely you are to actually book it, airlines charge more as you do so.
4) Use Search Engines for Cheapest Rates
Utilize websites that can compare flight prices for you. For example, Google Flights is an excellent resource for flexible travelers. Simply enter your departure airport and departure dates, then use the Google Flights map to find a city to visit.
Another way to ensure you get the best deal on your flight is to be as flexible as possible with your departure and arrival times and locations.
5) Be Flexible With Travel Date & Time
In addition to factors like date and season, holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July also have a significant impact on the cost of airline tickets. For example, there are many tourists in Europe during the month of August because it is the warmest time of the year and school is out.
If you can, be a little pliable with the dates. If you must visit Paris, the best times to do so are the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when fewer tourists are in town, and hotel rates and airfare are lower.
The answer is to schedule your trip for a less busy time of year. Look into potential alternate dates so that you can take advantage of the best one. A deal is less likely to materialize if your plans are set in stone.
6) Book a Connecting Flight
Taking a connecting flight rather than a direct one can save you money if you are in a timely manner to reach your final destination. You can choose between nonstop, one-stop, and multiple stops when searching for flights online. It’s possible that switching between different airlines will help you save money.
7) Take Discount & Affordable Airlines
While a major airline can take you virtually anywhere, the price may be significantly higher. But these airlines offer discounts on domestic and international flights:
- Southwest Airlines (U.S. and Caribbean)
- Alaska Airlines (U.S. West Coast and Hawaii)
- Norwegian (U.S. to Europe)
- JetBlue (U.S. and Caribbean)
8) Bundle Your Flights, Hotel and Car Rental
With the help of travel-bundling websites like Expedia, you can save as much as $300 on your trip. You can use the money you save on sightseeing, entertainment, food, and shopping during your trip.
9) Use an Airline Credit Card to Avoid Baggage Fees
Most airline rewards cards will cover the cost of a checked bag for you and a companion. For example, the Delta Amex credit cards allow for the free check-in of up to nine bags. You must book your flight directly with the airline and use that credit card to pay for it. No issue, right?
10) Take Advantage of Student Discounts
There are a lot of deals for students (or anyone under 26) out there. Typically, you can save 10% to 20% off the listed price. Flight Center and Student Universe are just two of the many travel agencies that can help you find a good deal on a plane ticket.
Moreover, remember that most student discounts are transferable to airline partners. So if you’re a student and Lufthansa offers you a discount, you can use that discount on any of their partner airlines, including Swiss and Austrian.
11) Sign Up For A Frequent Flier Program
Programs for frequent fliers are excellent for obtaining free flights and upgrades. However, you should sign up for an airline rewards program even if you don’t travel frequently.
You can earn miles by flying, as well as by making purchases at participating retailers or taking advantage of exclusive email offers (if you sign up for their newsletter).
Bottom Line
These were our most effective & working 11 tips for booking cheap flights. Of course, it’s best to be flexible and to book early if you want to save money on airfare. While you can still find some good last-minute deals, your selection will be narrow.
We hope this article was helpful & informative. Please leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!