20 Top Secrets to Find the Cheapest Flights
If you’re planning a holiday or a trip, this topic talks on secrets to find the cheapest flights.
Airlines use smart tricks and hidden systems to set their prices, and these prices change a lot.
Because of this, it’s very hard to know the exact time when tickets will be the cheapest.
As someone that travels a whole lot, I have fallen prey to this price fluctuate, where one passenger pays higher and the seat mate pays less.
I have come to the conclusion that there are hidden information Airlines are not sharing, which is actually okay for business purpose.
Before I went my NYSC, I worked as a Student Counselor for the great Travel Agency Company in Nigeria.
Part of my job duties was to file applications for interested international students and book their flight when their visa was out, so I learnt quite a lot on the job.
So in this guide, I’m sharing the tips and secrets I’ve picked up over the years, both from booking student flights and my own travel experiences, to help you find the cheapest flights without all the guesswork..
If you’ve ever bought a ticket only to see it drop in price the next day, this is for you.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates and Destinations
Of course, it isn’t always possible to start booking a holiday with countless dates in mind. However, it can make a massive difference if you’re flexible.
Flexibility is the most important thing when searching for bargain flights. Airfare is subject to change according to demand, and flying off-season can save you a lot of money.
Choosing to fly during the week is generally cheaper than at weekends.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are good for bargains (they’re not usually popular days of the week to travel).
A lot of airline websites have made it easier to spot the cheap days to fly.
Look out for calendar view booking systems that let you view prices across the whole month you’re searching for.
Sites such as Google Flights enable you to search destinations according to your budget, and you may find cheaper options that you wouldn’t have second thought.
2. Utilize Flight Comparison Sites and Tools
Looking around and doing your research is the best way on how to find affordable flights.
The good news is that there are a great number of free tools that allow you to compare airline tickets quickly and easily.
Besides that, these tools also help you track the lowest fares on all routes, allowing you to plan ahead of time without relying on sales or flight finders.
Below are some search engines that you can use to get a cheap flight booking.
The main features include the Explore Page, which shows a world map with almost real-time prices for your trip, making it easy to find the cheapest spots.
You can also use filters to pick airlines, flight times, stops, connections, and even activities you like.
The second feature is a calendar that shows up after you pick your destination. It marks the cheapest days in green and sometimes suggests even cheaper options.
Skyscanner is one of the simplest sites to use. You will only need to add your destination, departure city, and travel dates.
They also have flight filters, such as choosing flexible tickets only, adding nearby airports, and nonstop flights only.
This provides a graph that indicates the cheapest days to fly around the dates you’ve searched for. You can also alter the search to focus on the quickest route if that’s more of a priority to you.
3. Sign Up for Fare Alerts and Newsletters
Stay current with flight discounts by signing up for fare alerts and newsletters of travel bargain websites.
Services like Scott’s Cheap Flights, Jack’s Flight Club, and Secret Flying deliver carefully curated sets of sale prices to your mailbox.
The fare alerts will generally include error fares and limited-time offers, making it possible for you to make bookings for part of the typical price.
4. Book Ahead but Not Too Far Ahead
Last-minute deals have the reputation of being a cheap option, but in reality, they rarely are.
Timing is important. While occasional last-minute deals can be found, booking a flight several weeks in advance is often good for obtaining a good price
For domestic flights, reserve one to three months in advance.
For overseas travel, reserve three to six months in advance. Just don’t reserve too far in advance because airlines have not yet listed their lowest fares.
If you’re wondering whether to book early or wait, the Hopper app can help.
Just put in your departure and destination spots, and it will tell you when flight prices usually go up or down, using data from millions of flights.
5. Go Incognito When Booking Flights
To find cheaper flights, consider browsing in incognito mode.
Airlines track your search history to adjust prices based on demand. If you repeatedly check the same flight, prices may rise as airlines assume you’re more likely to buy.
To avoid this, clear your search cookies or use an incognito browser window.
This hides your browsing history and location, potentially helping you see more consistent flight prices.
6. Use Airline Miles and Credit Card Points
Make the most of your travel points by using credit card rewards and airline miles to pay for flights.
Some credit cards give sign-up bonuses and let you earn points on every purchase.
You can use these points to pay for tickets, sometimes covering the full cost. Joining frequent flyer programs also helps you collect points for future trips.
Credit cards can be better for spending money abroad because they often offer better exchange rates than debit cards. Just be sure to do your research before picking which card to use.
Also, some credit cards let you earn air miles and even give cashback on flights. So, spending a little more on your ticket could get you some rewards back.
7. Take Advantage of Error Fares
Have you ever seen a ticket price so low you thought it couldn’t be real? That’s likely an “error fare”, a mistake in airline pricing systems.
Knowing how to get discounted flights involves keeping an eye out for these error fares and acting quickly when you spot them.
Secret Flying and Airfare Watchdog are two websites that specialize in discovering these deals and sharing the news with subscribers.
Act fast when you discover an error fare, as they are typically fixed within a brief time period of several hours.
Keep in mind that while most airlines do honor these prices, there is a possibility of cancellation.
8. Book One-Way Flights on Different Airlines
It could be cheaper at times to purchase two one-way flights on two different airlines compared to purchasing a round-trip ticket.
This strategy provides the option to mix airlines and choose the most effective and affordable pairing.
Compare the total cost and check things like baggage fees and layovers prior to booking.
9. Fly During Off-Peak Seasons
Off-season flights may generate significant cost savings.
Avoid traveling when there are school holidays, peak holidays, and high-season travel periods because these periods have demand prices at their highest.
Visit destinations during shoulder seasons, which are periods between peak and off-peak seasons, when destinations are not crowded, and air fares are lower.
10. Take Budget Airlines
Consider flying with budget airlines, which can be less expensive than flying with a full-service airline.
While there might be fewer amenities, these flights can be very cost-saving, especially on short flights.
Be aware of additional fees for such things as checked bags, seat selection, and in-flight meals, and factor these into the overall price.
11. Monitor Social Media for Flash Sales
Travel deal websites and airlines often post flash sales and special offers on their social media pages.
Follow your favorite airlines and deal sites on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on these bargains.
When you spot a good deal, act quickly because these offers usually last for a short time and have limited spots.
12. Consider Various Routes and Stopovers
Sometimes layover flights or alternate routes are cheaper than direct flights. Even if it takes longer, it’s worth saving money. Look at prices and view various route options with flight comparison websites.
Some airlines even offer free stopovers in their hub cities, so you can travel to another city without paying extra.
Airlines like Icelandair (Reykjavik stopover), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), and Emirates (Dubai) enable you to add a second city on your itinerary, essentially two holidays for one price tag.
Ensure that you cross-check the total travel time and whether longer stops can be turned into mini-holidays without extra airfare.
13. Mix and Match Booking Platforms
Most tourists book through just one booking portal, but pricing a few of them up and down discloses deeper bargains.
Compare flights on Skyscanner or Google Flights, and compare prices at carrier websites, travel agencies, and offbeat sites like Kiwi.com or Momondo.
Prices do sometimes vary on each site due to having different inventories or sale codes. You can take a bit more time clicking through, and perhaps a bit of effort will get you scores of savings.
14. Book Flights in the Proper Currency
Here is a clever trick: sometimes booking in the home country currency of the airline will cost less than booking in your own. Oddities of currency conversion or regional pricing might work in your favor.
Book with a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card to book safely and not lose the savings on bank fees. But check all the terms and fare rules first before you book.
15. Redeem Travel Vouchers or Promo Codes
Before you press the “Book Now” button, check if you have any promotional codes or vouchers for your airfare. Flight companies and websites tend to have discounts for new clients or during the off-peak season.
Signing up on their newsletters or loyalty programs may also entitle you to an additional code. You will be surprised at how many travelers skip this simple process and pay extra.
16. Avoid Extra Charges and Hidden Fees
When booking flights, particularly with budget airlines, don’t be deceived by prices that seem somehow cheap.
Many cheap flight prices have extra costs that can surprise you. Things like air taxes, baggage fees, or paying for a seat can make the price go up.
Remember, air taxes are usually the biggest part of the ticket price.
Always check what is included before you buy. If your ticket has extras you don’t need, try to find cheaper flights that fit you better.
And try to travel light if you can. Hand luggage is usually free. It’s a good idea to weigh and measure your bag before arriving.
17. Book Flights at the Lowest Price Point of the Day
Studies have shown that flights should be booked in the dead of night or the early morning hours (between midnight and 5 a.m.) when airlines update their computers and occasionally post low-cost, discounted seats.
It might be a sacrifice to sleep an hour or two later, but it’s well worth the loss.
18. Use “Hidden City” Ticketing with Caution
Hidden city ticketing is booking a flight with a layover at your destination and skipping the final segment. Sites like Skiplagged help you find these flights.
Be careful, however, because this strategy violates most airlines’ policies, and if you’re not, it could lead to canceled return flights or frequent flyer penalties. Never bag-check when doing so.
19. Book Flight & Accommdation Together
Booking flights, hotels, and even car rentals through online travel agents can often lead to extra discounts when these services are purchased as a package.
Occasionally, you may discover that a bundled deal for both travel and lodging costs less than the flight by itself.
20. Send Your Luggage Separately To Save Money
Checking luggage with airlines can get pretty expensive, especially when one has a couple of bags to check-in.
For those who are looking to save money in an extreme way, shipping luggage to the destination could be an option to consider.
A number of companies currently offer this service.
Shipping your bags in advance can be more cost-effective than paying for them on the plane.
It’s not only about saving money.
Sending your luggage in advance will save you the hassle of carrying luggage to and from the airport. It also helps families with the elderly and people with disabilities.
Travel Smarter, Not Harder
The best flights for free aren’t chance, it’s know-how. Having the right gadgets, being in the right place at the right time, and being flexible means you can convert an ordinary getaway into a thrilling adventure.
With these hacks to get the cheapest flights during your vacation, you can spend less and play more frequently without draining your purse.
On a finally note, don’t take the first price you see, compare, shop around, and use every resource available to you.
The world is too large, and planes are too ubiquitous to overpay for your next flight.
You just read: 20 secrets to find the cheapest flights
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FAQs
When is the best time to book a flight?
For domestic trips, 1 to 3 months in advance is ideal. For international, 3 to 6 months. Booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays often offers the best fares.
Which website finds the cheapest flights?
Top tools include Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Hopper. Use them in combination for best results.
Are flights cheaper at certain times of the day?
Yes! Early morning or late-night searches often yield lower prices.
Can I trust cheap flight websites?
Most major ones are reliable, but always read reviews and book directly through the airline if possible for added peace of mind.
Do airlines offer discounts for last-minute flights?
Rarely. Last-minute flights are usually more expensive unless they’re trying to fill seats, and that’s often unpredictable.