DealHack Guides
15 Tips for Getting the Lowest Airfare for Your Next Trip
March 16, 2020 · 14 minute read
Finding the cheapest airfare can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But worry not at Dealhack. we’re here to unveil the best tips and tricks to help you score the lowest flight prices. Whether planning a family vacation or a solo adventure, these air travel hacks will ensure you fly for less without compromising comfort.
In this post, you’ll learn:
About the best times to book flights
How to use fare comparison tools effectively
Expert Tips for Finding Hidden Airline Deals
Strategies for booking last-minute flights
How to make the most of frequent flyer programs
Essential tips for flying on a budget
1. Book Flights in Advance
Booking flights in advance is one of the most effective ways to get the lowest airfare. Airlines often release tickets at their lowest prices approximately 6 to 12 months before departure. As seats fill up, prices tend to increase.
Key Points:
The early bird catches the worm: Secure your tickets early to lock in lower rates.
Fare trends: Monitor fare trends to identify the best time to purchase.
Flexible booking: Consider booking refundable or changeable tickets if your plans are not fixed.
Holiday travel: Book even earlier for peak travel times like holidays and school vacations.
Pro Tip: Sign up for airline newsletters to be the first to know when tickets are released.
2. Use Fare Comparison Tools
Fare comparison tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak are invaluable for finding the best deals. These tools aggregate prices from various airlines, making it easy to compare and choose the cheapest option.
Key Points:
Comprehensive search: Compare prices across multiple airlines and travel agencies.
Price graphs and alerts: Utilize tools that show price trends and set alerts for price drops.
Filters and preferences: Use filters to customize your search based on preferred airlines and more.
Alternative airports: Include nearby airports in your search to find cheaper options.
Multi-city searches: Look for deals on multi-city or open-jaw flights for more savings.
Pro Tip: Use multiple fare comparison tools simultaneously to ensure you get the best deal. Explore Kayak US Coupons & Special Offers
3. Set Fare Alerts
Setting fare alerts can help you stay updated on price changes. Websites like Airfarewatchdog and Hopper allow you to set alerts for specific routes and notify you when prices drop.
Key Points:
Real-time updates: Receive notifications on your phone or email.
Customized alerts: Tailor alerts based on your travel preferences and budget.
Price history: Review the price history to understand typical fare ranges.
Alert flexibility: Adjust alert settings to get the most relevant notifications.
Multiple tools: Use multiple fare alert tools for broader coverage.
Pro Tip: Set alerts for multiple routes and destinations to increase your chances of catching a great deal.
4. Fly During Off-Peak Times
Flying during off-peak times can significantly reduce your airfare. Avoiding peak travel seasons and flying on weekdays can help you find cheaper tickets.
Key Points:
Off-peak seasons: Travel during shoulder seasons (fall and spring) for lower prices.
Weekday flights: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to fly.
Time of day: Early morning or late-night flights tend to be cheaper.
Avoid holidays: Steer clear of flying around major holidays and school breaks.
Long weekends: Try to avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays, which are popular travel days.
Pro Tip: Use a fare calendar tool to identify the cheapest days and times to fly.
5. Explore Alternate Airports
Exploring alternate airports can sometimes lead to cheaper flights. Check if there are smaller or nearby airports to your destination that offer lower fares.
Key Points:
Alternate airport options: Compare prices at different airports within a reasonable distance.
Transportation costs: Factor in the cost of getting to and from alternate airports.
Regional carriers: Look for flights operated by regional carriers at smaller airports.
Convenience vs. cost: Balance the cost savings with the convenience of your travel plans.
Airport taxes and fees: Consider the taxes and fees at different airports, as they can vary.
Pro Tip: Use airport transfer services or public transportation to save on transportation costs to and from alternate airports.
6. Utilize Frequent Flyer Programs
Joining frequent flyer programs can help you accumulate miles and earn free or discounted flights. Many airlines offer loyalty programs that reward you for regular travel.
Key Points:
Earn miles: Accumulate points with each flight and redeem them for free flights or upgrades.
Elite status: Enjoy perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.
Partner airlines: Use miles with partner airlines for more flexibility.
Expiration dates: Keep track of mileage expiration dates to avoid losing points.
Promotions and bonuses: Look for promotions and bonuses to earn extra miles.
Pro Tip: Sign up for frequent flyer programs with multiple airlines to maximize your earning potential.
7. Take Advantage of Airline Sales and Promotions
Airlines frequently offer sales and promotions that can lead to significant savings. Look for these deals and book promptly.
Key Points:
Flash sales: Look for short-term promotions and book quickly.
Email newsletters: Subscribe to airline newsletters to receive exclusive offers.
Social media: Follow airlines on social media for the latest deals.
Loyalty programs: Members often get early access to sales and special promotions.
Coupon codes: Search for and use coupon codes during the booking process.
Pro Tip: Set a reminder to check for sales on specific days of the week, as many airlines release deals on Tuesdays.
8. Consider Budget Airlines
Budget airlines often offer lower fares than traditional carriers. While they may have fewer amenities, they can be a great option for cost-conscious travelers.
Key Points:
Low-cost carriers: Consider airlines like Spirit, Ryanair, and EasyJet.
Additional fees: Be aware of extra charges for baggage, seat selection, and other services.
On-time performance: Check the airline’s on-time performance and reliability.
In-flight services: Understand what is included and what requires additional payment.
Travel insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance to cover potential disruptions.
Pro Tip: Pack light and avoid checked baggage fees by using a carry-on only.
9. Book Connecting Flights
Booking connecting flights instead of direct flights can sometimes save you money. While it may take longer to reach your destination, the savings can be substantial.
Key Points:
Indirect routes: Check if connecting flights offer lower fares.
Layover duration: Make layovers manageable and don’t disrupt your travel plans.
Split tickets: Consider booking separate tickets for each leg of your journey.
Same airline: Try to book connecting flights with the same airline to avoid potential issues.
Long layovers: Utilize long layovers to explore a new city at no extra cost.
Pro Tip: Use long layovers as an opportunity to explore an additional city or country.
10. Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
Flexibility with your travel dates and destinations can open up a wider range of affordable options. Use fare calendars and explore multiple destinations to find the best deals.
Key Points:
Flexible dates: Use tools that allow you to view fares over various dates.
Alternative destinations: Consider nearby cities or different destinations for cheaper flights.
Fare calendars: Use fare calendars to find the cheapest days to fly.
Last-minute deals: Look for last-minute deals if your travel plans are flexible.
Open-jaw tickets: Consider open-jaw tickets, which allow you to fly into one city and out of another.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Flights Explore feature to find the cheapest destinations from your home airport.
11. Leverage Credit Card Rewards
Many credit cards offer travel rewards and points that can be redeemed for flights. Using a travel rewards credit card for everyday purchases can help you earn free or discounted flights.
Key Points:
Travel rewards cards: Look for cards with generous sign-up bonuses and rewards programs.
Redeem points: Use accumulated points for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses.
Transfer partners: Maximize points by transferring them to airline partners.
Bonus categories: Take advantage of bonus categories for extra points on travel-related purchases.
Annual fees: Consider the annual fee and benefits to determine if the card is worth it.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to special offers and promotions that offer extra points for travel-related purchases.
12. Use Incognito Mode for Flight Searches
Using incognito mode or clearing your browser cookies can help prevent airlines from tracking your searches and potentially increasing prices based on your search history.
Key Points:
Private browsing: Use incognito or private browsing mode to keep your searches confidential.
Clear cookies: Regularly clear your cookies to avoid dynamic pricing.
Multiple devices: Search on different devices to compare prices.
Fresh searches: Start a new search session each time to avoid price increases.
Avoid booking history: Ensure that your previous searches do not influence current prices.
Pro Tip: Use different browsers and devices for your flight searches to ensure you get the best rates.
13. Subscribe to Deal Websites
Subscribing to deal websites like Dealhack, Scott's Cheap Flights, and The Flight Deal can offer exclusive offers and significant discounts on flights.
Key Points:
Email alerts: Receive daily or weekly emails with the latest deals.
Exclusive offers: Access members-only deals and promotions.
Community tips: Benefit from tips and tricks shared by a community of deal hunters.
Social media: Follow deal websites on social media for real-time updates.
Personalized deals: Customize your deal alerts based on your travel preferences.
Pro Tip: Join multiple deal websites to increase your chances of finding the best offers.
14. Consider Alternative Routes
Sometimes taking alternative routes can lead to cheaper fares. This may involve additional stops or layovers, but the savings can be worth the extra travel time.
Key Points:
Multi-leg journeys: Break up your trip into multiple legs to find cheaper flights.
Overland segments: Combine flights with train or bus travel for cost savings.
Regional hubs: Fly into regional hubs and then take a budget airline or other transport to your final destination.
Open-jaw flights: Use open-jaw flights to create flexible and cost-effective travel plans.
Hidden city ticketing: Consider hidden city ticketing, where you book a flight with a layover in your desired destination and skip the final leg (be aware of potential risks and airline policies).
Pro Tip: Research alternative routes and transport methods to discover unique travel experiences and additional savings.
15. Join Airline Loy
Joining airline loyalty programs can provide access to exclusive discounts, promotions, and benefits that can help reduce travel costs.
Key Points:
Membership perks: Enjoy perks like early access to sales, priority boarding, and free checked bags.
Exclusive offers: Access member-only discounts and promotions.
Points accumulation: Earn points on every flight and redeem them for future travel.
Status levels: Work your way up to elite status for additional benefits.
Partner benefits: Utilize benefits across partner airlines and alliances.
Pro Tip: Sign up for airline loyalty programs even if you don’t fly frequently. Points can accumulate quickly, and perks can significantly enhance your travel experience.
Budget Tips for Air Travel
| Hack | Description | Best Tools | Tips for Saving |
| Book in Advance | Secure lower prices by booking early | Expedia | Look for sales 6-8 weeks in advance |
| Use Fare Comparison Tools | Compare prices across airlines | Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak | Set alerts for price drops |
| Set Fare Alerts | Receive notifications for price drops | Hopper, Airfarewatchdog | Customize alerts for specific routes |
| Fly During Off-Peak Times | Travel during less busy periods | - | Avoid peak travel seasons |
| Explore Alternate Airports | Fly into/out of nearby airports | Expedia | Compare prices at secondary airports |
| Utilize Frequent Flyer Programs | Earn miles and redeem for flights | Aeroplan, SkyMiles | Use co-branded credit cards |
| Take Advantage of Sales | Benefit from airline promotions | - | Subscribe to newsletters and social media |
| Consider Budget Airlines | Fly with low-cost carriers | WestJet, Southwest Airlines, Ryanair | Check luggage and service fees |
| Book Connecting Flights | Save with layovers instead of direct flights | Kiwi.com | Ensure sufficient layover time |
| Be Flexible | Find the best deals with flexible dates | Google Flights Explore | Look for off-peak travel opportunities |
| Leverage Credit Card Rewards | Earn points on everyday purchases | Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold Card, Capital One Venture Rewards | Redeem points for flights, hotels, and more |
| Use Incognito Mode | Avoid price increases based on search history | - | Open an incognito window before searching |
| Subscribe to Deal Websites | Get alerts for exclusive discounts and error fares | Secret Flying, The Flight Deal, Scott’s Cheap Flights | Look for limited-time offers |
| Consider Alternative Routes | Save by booking flights with alternative routes | Skyscanner | Look for multi-city or open-jaw tickets |
| Join Airline Loyalty Programs | Access exclusive deals and rewards | Air Canada Altitude, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus | Earn miles on flights and access promotions |
Conclusion
Finding the cheapest airfare requires a combination of strategy, flexibility, and the right tools. By booking in advance, using fare comparison tools, and taking advantage of airline promotions, you can ensure your travels are budget-friendly and enjoyable. Remember, the key to affordable air travel is staying informed and being prepared to act quickly when deals arise. Happy flying!
Remember, the key to affordable air travel is staying informed and being prepared to act quickly when deals arise. For more tips and tricks on saving money on travel, visit Dealhack. Happy flying!
FAQ
What are the best times to book flights?
The best times to book flights are typically 6-8 weeks in advance for domestic flights and 3-6 months in advance for international flights.
How can I find cheap flights?
Use fare comparison tools like Google Flights, set fare alerts, fly during off-peak times, and explore alternate airports.
Are there any tricks for booking last-minute flights?
Look for last-minute deals on websites like Skyscanner and Lastminute.com, and consider budget airlines for lower fares.
How can I maximize frequent flyer programs?
Join frequent flyer programs, use co-branded credit cards to earn points, and book flights through your frequent flyer account.
What are some budget-friendly airlines?
WestJet, Southwest Airlines, and Ryanair are budget-friendly airlines. However, be sure to check for additional fees for luggage and services.
How do I use credit card rewards for flights?
Use travel credit cards to earn points on everyday purchases and redeem them for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
What is the best way to stay updated on airline deals?
Subscribe to airline newsletters, follow airlines on social media, and join deal websites like Scott's Cheap Flights and Secret Flying.
Are there any apps to help find cheap flights?
Yes, several apps can help you find cheap flights. Apps like Hopper, Skyscanner, and Google Flights provide real-time price tracking, fare alerts, and deal notifications.
How can I avoid hidden fees when booking flights?
To avoid hidden fees, read the terms and conditions carefully before booking. Check for additional charges such as baggage fees, seat selection fees, and booking fees. Using fare comparison tools like Kayak can help you see a breakdown of costs before finalizing your purchase.
Can I get refunds or changes on budget airline tickets?
Refunds and changes on budget airline tickets can be restrictive. It’s important to review the airline’s policy before booking. Some budget airlines offer flexibility with added fees, while others may have strict no-refund policies. Always consider purchasing travel insurance for additional protection.
