14 Simple Hacks to Score the Cheapest Flights Every Time

Booking flights doesn’t have to break the bank. With a few smart strategies and a flexible mindset, you can find incredible deals that make your travel dreams a reality—without draining your savings. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway to Miami, a backpacking trip across Southeast Asia, or a spontaneous adventure in Europe, these 14 hacks will help you find the cheapest flights every time.

1. Embrace Flexible Travel Dates and Times

One of the golden rules of budget travel is to keep your schedule open. Airfare prices can vary drastically depending on the day of the week, time of day, and even the season. Flying mid-week—especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—often yields the lowest prices. Red-eye flights or early morning departures might be less convenient, but they’re usually more affordable.

Want to visit New York City or San Francisco? Traveling during the shoulder season (spring or fall) instead of peak summer or winter holidays can save you hundreds.

2. Consider Alternate Destinations

Being open to different travel destinations can unlock amazing deals. Instead of sticking to one location, explore nearby cities or lesser-known alternatives. For instance, if Paris is pricey, check flights to Brussels or Amsterdam. If Bali flights are through the roof, look into Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur.

Many flight search engines let you search by region or even display maps with prices for various destinations. Use this to your advantage—your dream vacation might be in a place you hadn’t even considered!

3. Jump on Limited-Time Offers and Flash Sales

Airlines and travel sites regularly drop limited-time promotions, mistake fares, or flash sales. The catch? These deals are often only available for a few hours. Subscribe to newsletters from airlines, use fare-tracking tools like Scott’s Cheap Flights or Secret Flying, and follow travel deal pages on social media to catch these fleeting bargains.

A recent example: round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo were going for under $400 during a 48-hour flash sale.

4. Fly with Low-Cost Airlines

Budget carriers like Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, EasyJet, and AirAsia offer rock-bottom fares—especially for short to medium-haul flights. While these flights might lack the frills (think no complimentary snacks or entertainment), they get you where you need to go for a fraction of the price.

Planning a Euro trip? Fly from London to Barcelona for under $50 using Ryanair. Exploring Southeast Asia? AirAsia’s deals between Bangkok and Phuket are unbeatable.

Just make sure to factor in baggage and seat selection fees when comparing with traditional airlines.

5. Mix and Match Airlines

Booking a round-trip ticket with one airline isn’t always the cheapest option. Sometimes, you can save more by flying out with one carrier and returning with another. Tools like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner make it easy to mix and match airlines for the best deal.

Let’s say you’re flying from Chicago to Rome. Maybe your outbound flight is cheapest on Lufthansa, while your return works better with Delta. Booking them separately could save you up to 30%.

6. Take Advantage of Airline Miles and Reward Points

If you’re not using travel rewards programs, you’re missing out. Sign up for frequent flyer programs and consider getting a travel credit card that offers sign-up bonuses and points for everyday purchases. Redeeming points can often score you free or heavily discounted flights.

Flying to Honolulu or Maui? Using points from your Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Airlines Advantage card can get you there for just the cost of taxes and fees.

Pro tip: Use apps like AwardWallet or The Points Guy to track and maximize your travel rewards.

7. Book Smart—Not Always Early

It’s a common belief that booking early guarantees the lowest fare, but that’s not always true. For domestic flights, booking 1–3 months in advance is often the sweet spot. For international trips, 2–6 months is a better range. Too early, and you might miss price drops; too late, and prices usually surge.

If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo in October, start monitoring fares in May or June. Use Google Flights’ price tracking tool to alert you to fare changes.

8. Use Fare Comparison Tools

Don’t book through the first site you land on. Fare comparison sites like Google Flights, Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kayak scan hundreds of airlines and booking platforms to find the best prices.

Let’s say you want to visit Mexico City. Plug in your preferred dates and watch the fares populate across multiple carriers. You might be surprised to find an international airline offering better deals than your go-to domestic one.

9. Search in Incognito or Private Mode

Airline websites and booking platforms use cookies to track your searches, which can lead to price increases if they detect repeated interest in the same route. To avoid this, use an incognito or private browsing window when searching for flights.

This small trick has helped travelers save big, especially on high-demand routes like Los Angeles to Cancun or Miami to Aruba.

10. Try Nearby Airports

Big city airports tend to charge more due to demand. But flying into or out of a smaller nearby airport can save you serious cash. For instance, instead of flying into Washington D.C.’s Reagan Airport (DCA), check flights to Baltimore-Washington (BWI). Going to San Francisco? Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC) might offer better prices.

When booking to or from London, compare Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), and even Stansted (STN) to snag the best fare.

11. Use Stopovers to Your Advantage

Direct flights may be more convenient, but connecting flights are almost always cheaper. You can save hundreds by adding a layover—plus, it gives you a chance to explore a second city on the way.

Heading to Cape Town? A flight with a stopover in Istanbul or Doha might not only save you money but also let you explore another destination at no extra cost.

Some airlines even offer free extended stopovers in cities like Reykjavik, Dubai, or Singapore—turning one trip into two.

12. Book One-Way Flights Separately

Sometimes, booking two separate one-way tickets instead of a round-trip fare can unlock better pricing. This is especially true with budget airlines or when combining domestic and international carriers.

If you’re flying from New York to Buenos Aires, book the outbound leg with LATAM and return with American Airlines—or vice versa—and you might find a better deal than booking round-trip with one airline.

13. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Alerts

Many airlines offer exclusive deals to subscribers before making them public. By signing up for newsletters from your favorite carriers, you get early access to promo codes, limited-time discounts, and frequent flyer bonuses.

You’ll also receive early-bird alerts on holiday and seasonal sales. Want to fly to the Caribbean? Getting alerts from JetBlue or Southwest might land you a ticket to the Dominican Republic or Turks & Caicos for under $200 round-trip.

Best Airlines to Sign Up For Newsletters and Alerts

1. Southwest Airlines – Famous for low fares, flash sales, and their “Wanna Get Away” deals
2. JetBlue Airways – Regularly offers promo codes, TrueBlue points bonuses, and 2-for-1 sales
3. Delta Air Lines – Sends alerts on fare discounts, SkyMiles offers, and early access to sales
4. American Airlines – Offers AAdvantage loyalty perks, promo codes, and flash deals via email
5. United Airlines – Includes MileagePlus program bonuses and fare drops in newsletters
6. Alaska Airlines – Known for “Buy One Get One Free” promos and great West Coast sales
7. Spirit Airlines – Sends low fare alerts, especially for members of their $9 Fare Club
8. Frontier Airlines – Runs frequent promotions like “99% Off” base fares and seasonal deals
9. Hawaiian Airlines – Ideal for tropical travelers; alerts include limited-time island fare deals
10. Air Canada – Shares cross-border deals, Aeroplan promos, and seat sales for U.S. travelers flying to Canada and beyond

Bonus Tip:
Also sign up for fare alert websites and deal aggregators to widen your reach:

• Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going.com)
• Secret Flying
• The Flight Deal
• Airfarewatchdog

These platforms specialize in mistake fares, rare discounts, and international flight steals.

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14. Set Price Alerts and Monitor Trends

Prices fluctuate constantly, but fare tracking tools help you stay ahead of the game. Set price alerts on platforms like Hopper, Google Flights, or Airfarewatchdog to monitor flight costs over time. You’ll get notifications when prices drop, spike, or are predicted to rise.

Planning a trip to Athens? Set an alert months in advance and monitor it. You might score a great deal when fares hit their lowest point.

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Bonus Tip: Travel Light and Skip Extra Fees

Many airlines, especially budget carriers, charge for extras like checked bags, seat selection, and even carry-on luggage. Pack smart and travel with just a personal item or small backpack to avoid these charges.

For instance, Spirit Airlines allows one free personal item. If you’re flying from Dallas to Las Vegas for the weekend, you could pay as little as $40 round-trip by skipping add-ons.

✈️ Travel Light and Skip Extra Fees: What to Pack & How to Save

1. Pack only essentials – Stick to versatile clothing and must-have toiletries.
2. Use a carry-on only – Avoid checked bag fees by fitting everything in a standard carry-on.
3. Roll, don’t fold – Rolling your clothes saves space and reduces wrinkles.
4. Wear your bulkiest items – Save luggage space by wearing jackets, sneakers, or boots during your flight.
5. Invest in travel-size toiletries – Comply with TSA limits and avoid buying items at overpriced airport shops.
6. Use packing cubes – Stay organized and maximize every inch of space.
7. Choose lightweight gear – Ditch heavy bags and opt for ultralight backpacks or duffels.
8. Check airline baggage policies – Each airline has different size/weight rules. Avoid surprises!
9. Do laundry on the go – Pack less by planning to wash and reuse clothing at your destination.
10. Skip souvenirs or ship them – Don’t weigh down your bag—ship purchases home if needed.
11. Limit electronics – One device that multitasks (like a smartphone or tablet) is often enough.
12. Pack layers, not bulk – Layer up instead of packing heavy coats.
13. Leave room for return – Pack with space in mind in case you pick up items while traveling.
14. Use a personal item smartly – Most airlines allow a free personal item—make it count.

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Final Thoughts

Scoring cheap flights isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing the system, staying flexible, and acting quickly. With these 14 hacks, you’ll be able to book more trips, explore more destinations, and stretch your travel budget further than ever before.

Whether your wanderlust takes you to the beaches of Thailand, the bustling streets of Tokyo, or the charming villages of Portugal, these strategies will help you get there for less.

Happy travels and smart saving!