Travelling is a thrilling experience, but booking flights can often feel like a daunting task. Flight prices fluctuate constantly, making it challenging to find the best deals. However, with a few strategic tips, you can save significant money and make your journey more budget-friendly. Here’s an expanded guide on how to book cheap flights, including 15 expert strategies to help you score the lowest fares in 2024.
1. Be Aware of Extra Fees
Low-cost airlines often advertise tempting base fares, but they make up for it with hidden fees. Watch out for additional charges on baggage, seat selection, meals, and other services. Always compare the total cost of the flight, not just the initial ticket price, to avoid unpleasant surprises.
2. Consider Booking Connecting Flights Individually
While direct flights are more convenient, booking separate legs of your trip can often be cheaper. For instance, instead of booking a single ticket from New York to Rome, you might find a better deal by booking New York to London, and then London to Rome separately. Use flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak to compare prices and maximize savings.
3. Set Up Price Alerts
One of the easiest ways to find cheap flights is by setting up price alerts on travel websites and apps. These alerts notify you when the price for your desired route drops, giving you a chance to book at a lower fare before it increases again. Websites like Google Flights and Hopper are great tools for this.
4. Join Frequent Flyer Programs
If you often fly with a specific airline, joining their loyalty program can lead to significant savings over time. By accumulating miles through flights, credit card purchases, or partner promotions, you can redeem them for discounted or even free tickets.
5. Bundle Your Travel Bookings
Many travel websites offer bundled deals when you book flights, hotels, and car rentals together. Websites like Expedia and Booking.com provide discounts for combined bookings, allowing you to save more compared to booking each component separately.
6. Book in Advance, But Not Too Early
It’s widely recommended to book flights about 3 months in advance for international trips and 3-6 weeks in advance for domestic flights. Prices tend to rise as the departure date approaches, so booking too late can be costly. However, booking too far in advance may also miss out on potential sales.
7. Book Flights on the Right Day
For the best prices, aim to book your flights on a Sunday. Data suggests that weekends tend to have lower fares, while prices peak on Tuesdays and Fridays. Keep this in mind when planning your purchase.
8. Choose Cheaper Days to Fly
Flying on certain days can be significantly cheaper. Typically, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the least expensive days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most costly. Flexibility with your travel dates can save you a lot of money.
9. Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates
Being flexible with your travel dates is one of the most effective ways to find cheap flights. Use tools like Google Flights’ price graph to compare prices on different dates. Adjusting your departure or return date by just a few days can make a big difference in price.
10. Consider Nearby Airports
Flying into or out of nearby airports can sometimes offer better deals. For example, if you’re travelling to San Francisco, consider checking prices for flights into Oakland or San Jose. This strategy can help you find cheaper options and even avoid congestion at major airports.
11. Use Multiple Search Engines
Don’t rely on a single search engine when booking flights. Check multiple sources like Skyscanner, Momondo, and Kayak to find the best deals. Also, visit airline websites directly, as they sometimes offer exclusive deals not listed on third-party platforms.
12. Search in Incognito Mode
Many booking websites use cookies to track your search history, which can lead to increased prices when you repeatedly search for the same route. To avoid this, search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies before starting your search.
13. Look for Error Fares
Error fares are unusually low prices resulting from mistakes made by the airline or booking site. These deals are rare but can offer incredible savings. Websites like Secret Flying and Scott’s Cheap Flights can help you spot these hidden gems before they’re corrected.
14. Opt for Open-Jaw Tickets
An open-jaw flight allows you to fly into one city and depart from another, which can sometimes be cheaper than a round-trip ticket. For example, you could fly into Amsterdam and return home from Paris. This can also give you the flexibility to explore more destinations on your trip.
15. Fly With Low-Cost Airlines
Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Spirit Airlines often provide significantly cheaper fares than traditional carriers. While these airlines may offer fewer amenities, they are a great option for budget-conscious travellers. Just be mindful of their strict baggage policies to avoid additional fees.
Additional Tips for Booking Cheap Flights in 2024
- Consider booking through apps: Some travel booking apps offer exclusive deals and discounts that are not available on desktop sites.
- Use credit card rewards: Many credit cards offer points or miles for travel-related purchases. Use these rewards to get discounts or even free flights.
- Check for student and senior discounts: If you qualify, you can often find special fares through airlines or travel agencies that cater to students and seniors.
- Book during sales events: Keep an eye out for special sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and airline anniversary sales. These can be a great opportunity to snag a deal.
- Leverage social media: Follow airlines and travel deal accounts on social media for flash sales and limited-time offers.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can significantly increase your chances of finding cheap flights. Flexibility, patience, and a bit of research can go a long way in saving you money on airfare, leaving you with more to spend on your travel adventures. Now that you know how to book cheap flights, start planning your next trip and take advantage of the savings! Happy travels!