How to Save Money on Flights: Tips and Tricks for Affordable Airfare

Saving money on flights makes travel a reality without breaking the bank. Airfare is one of the biggest expenses of travel but with the right strategies you can save big. In this guide we’ll go through easy and effective ways to find cheap flights so you get the best value for your trips. So let’s get into the top tips on how to save money on flights!

Why Airfare Prices Change

Knowing why airfare changes can help you know when to book and not overpay. Airfare changes based on demand, season and even day of the week. Airlines use algorithms to adjust prices based on how full a flight is or how close it is to departure. Knowing these can help you score better deals.

1. Book Early

Booking early can save you big. Most airlines release tickets up to a year in advance and those early tickets are cheaper.

• Best time to book: Book 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 3-6 months in advance for international flights.
• Use price alerts: Set up alerts on travel websites or apps like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track prices.

How Early to Book?

For international flights it’s usually 6-12 months in advance. For domestic flights booking 2-3 months ahead can give you the best deals.

2. Be Flexible with Dates and Times

Flexibility is key when it comes to saving money on flights. If you can travel on different dates try searching for flights a few days before or after your ideal travel date.

• Midweek savings: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are often cheaper for flights.
• Off-peak travel: Traveling during less busy months can also save you big.
• Use Flexible Date Tools

Websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner have flexible date tools that allow you to see fares for an entire month so you can spot the cheapest days to fly.

3. Budget Airlines

Budget airlines can be cheap especially for short flights. They might not have all the perks but they can get you where you need to go at a lower cost.

• Budget airlines: Examples are Southwest, Ryanair and EasyJet.
• Watch for fees: Budget airlines charge extra for luggage, seat selection and other services. Make sure to include these fees in the total cost.

4. Nearby Airports

Sometimes flying out of a nearby airport can be cheaper even if it’s not your nearest airport. Larger airports have more airlines and more flights so prices are more competitive.

• Compare nearby airports: Check if flying from an alternate airport can lower the fare.
• Factor in transportation costs: Ensure the savings are worth any added travel time or transportation expenses to reach a different airport.

5. Travel Rewards and Credit Card Points

If you have a travel rewards credit card, you can use your points or miles to save on flights. Many cards have sign-up bonuses, miles on purchases and even discounts on certain airlines.

• Look for travel rewards cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum Card are popular options.
• Join airline loyalty programs: If you fly the same airline all the time, join their loyalty program to earn miles and get exclusive deals.

6. Sign up for Email Alerts and Newsletters

Many airlines and travel sites send out notifications about sales and special offers. By signing up, you’ll be the first to know when fares drop and get a head start on booking.

• Airline newsletters: Most airlines have newsletter subscriptions that will notify you of flash sales and discounts.
• Travel deal websites: Scott’s Cheap Flights and Hopper are also great resources for deal alerts.

7. Book Connecting Flights Instead of Non-Stop

Non-stop flights are more convenient but come with a higher price tag. Sometimes booking a connecting flight can save you a lot.

• Compare non-stop vs. connecting flights: Check if adding a layover reduces the fare.
• Be mindful of layover times: Make sure you have enough time between flights to not miss connections.

8. Clear Your Browser Cookies

Some airlines and travel sites may use cookies to track your searches and raise prices on repeated visits. Clearing your browser cookies or using incognito mode can sometimes prevent price increases.

9. Use Flight Comparison Websites

Flight comparison websites allow you to see options from multiple airlines and find the best price for your route.

• Top sites: Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak are good options to compare fares across airlines.
• Set alerts: Many of these sites allow you to set price alerts so you’ll know if the price drops.

10. Book One-Way Tickets

Sometimes booking two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip can save you money. This way you can combine the cheapest flights for both legs of your trip.

• Compare round-trip and one-way: Always check if one-way is cheaper for your route.
• Flexibility with airlines: This method also lets you choose different airlines for each leg, which might provide better prices.

Example of How to save money on flights

Here’s an example of how using different money saving tips can add up to affordable airfare:

Example: How to Save Money on Flights from New York to Paris

Sarah wants to book a round trip from New York to Paris for spring break. Here’s how she saves:

Booking Early and Setting Alerts

Sarah starts planning 6 months in advance. She sets up price alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner. That way she gets notified if prices drop and can book at a lower rate.

Being Flexible with Dates

Instead of fixing her travel dates she checks flight prices for a range of days around her preferred week. By leaving on a Tuesday and returning on a Wednesday she finds a cheaper fare and saves $150.

Using a Budget Airline

Sarah checks budget airlines and sees that Norwegian Air has a lower fare with one layover vs direct flights on other major airlines. She saves an additional $200.

Choosing an Alternate Airport

Instead of flying out of JFK she sees that flights from Newark are cheaper. The extra drive is worth it and she saves another $50.

Using Credit Card Points

Sarah uses her travel rewards credit card which covers part of the ticket cost with her accumulated points. This saves her another $100 out of pocket.

Clearing Cookies

Sarah sees prices increase after checking the same flights multiple times. She decides to clear her browser cookies and switch to incognito mode. The fare is back to the original price and she saves an additional $40.

• Total Savings: With all these tips Sarah saves around $540 on her flight from New York to Paris and can now spend on other vacation must-haves!

Using these methods, Sarah shows how simple adjustments and smart planning can lead to substantial savings on flights!

FAQs about How to Save Money on Flights

1. What day of the week should I book flights?

Tuesdays or Wednesdays are supposed to be the best day to book flights as some airlines release deals at the start of the week. But prices change so often so it’s also good to track prices over time.

2. How far in advance should I book to save on flights?

Domestic 1-3 months, International 3-6 months.

3. Do flexible dates really help?

Yes! If you can be flexible with your dates, especially flying midweek or off-peak, you can often find much cheaper flights.

4. Are budget airlines safe?

Yes, budget airlines are held to the same safety standards as major airlines. But they offer fewer amenities so expect a more basic service.

5. Can clearing cookies really help lower flight prices?

Yes, clearing your cookies can help as some sites might increase prices if they see you searching the same flights over and over. Using incognito mode can also prevent this.

Start saving now!

Conclusion

Now you have the tips to book your next trip without breaking the bank. Be flexible, use comparison tools and take advantage of deals and you can get affordable flights and travel more. Plan ahead, compare and consider all the factors to get the best savings. Happy travels!