Save hundreds on airfare with these expert strategies used by frequent travelers.
Airfare is usually the biggest travel expense, but it does not have to be. With the right approach and timing, you can dramatically reduce what you pay to get where you are going. Here are 15 strategies that consistently deliver results.
Google Flights, Kayak, and Hopper all let you track specific routes and notify you when prices drop. Set alerts for your target destination and check back weekly. Prices fluctuate constantly, and an alert means you never miss a dip.
Airlines often release sales on Monday nights, and competitors match them by Tuesday morning. Midweek is historically the cheapest time to purchase a ticket. Avoid booking on Friday through Sunday when leisure travelers drive prices up.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures are almost always cheaper than Friday and Sunday. If your schedule allows any flexibility, shifting your travel day by even one day can save $50 to $150 per ticket.
Airline and booking sites use cookies to track your searches. If they see you checking the same route repeatedly, prices can appear to rise. Search in a private or incognito browser window to see unbiased pricing.
If you live near multiple airports, compare them all. Flying out of a secondary airport can be significantly cheaper, even after factoring in extra driving time. Google Flights lets you compare nearby airports simultaneously.
Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant offer base fares that can be 40 to 60 percent cheaper than legacy carriers. The key is knowing exactly what is included. Bring only a personal item that fits under the seat and you will often pay nothing extra.
Sometimes booking two separate one-way tickets through different airlines on a connecting route is cheaper than one round trip. This requires more research but can save significant money on popular routes.
Airlines occasionally publish fares far below what they intended. These errors get corrected quickly, often within hours. Services that track mistake fares can alert you when they appear. Airlines are not required to honor them but often do.
The sweet spot for domestic flights is typically 1 to 3 months in advance. International flights are best booked 3 to 6 months out. Booking too early or last minute both tend to cost more, though last-minute deals do exist for flexible travelers.
Even if you are not a frequent flyer, signing up for an airline credit card before a trip can earn enough points for a free round trip. The signup bonuses alone often cover 1 to 2 domestic flights.
After finding a fare on a comparison site, always check the airline's own website. They sometimes offer lower prices or waive booking fees when you book direct. They also have better customer service if something goes wrong.
Round-trip fares are not always cheaper than two one-ways, especially when mixing airlines. Search both options and compare. This is especially effective for international travel where outbound and return are on different carriers.
The weeks just before and after peak travel periods offer similar experiences at much lower prices. Flying to Europe in May instead of July can cut your airfare by 30 to 40 percent with the added bonus of smaller crowds.
No single search engine finds every deal. Run the same search on Google Flights, Kayak, Skyscanner, and Momondo. Each aggregates differently and one may surface a deal the others miss.
Airlines send exclusive sales to email subscribers, sometimes 24 to 48 hours before they appear publicly. Sign up for newsletters from carriers that fly your most common routes. The occasional email is worth it for flash sale access.
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