How I Found Cheap Flights and Saved Money on Travel

Traveling is exciting, but it can also be expensive. Finding cheap flights can save a lot of money, making it easier to explore new places without breaking the bank. In this article, I will share how I found affordable flights, the tools I used, and the strategies that worked for me.

1. Start with Flexible Planning

Flexibility is key when looking for cheap flights. Being open to travel dates, destinations, and flight times can uncover better deals. Airlines often have lower prices during off-peak seasons or on less popular days of the week.

How I Applied Flexibility

I avoided traveling during holidays like Christmas and New Year. Instead, I planned trips during shoulder seasons like late spring or early autumn.
I searched for flights on weekdays instead of weekends. Tuesdays and Wednesdays often had the best prices.
I used tools like Google Flights to explore destinations within my budget, selecting “Flexible Dates” to find the cheapest options.

2. Use Flight Search Engines

Flight search engines make it easy to compare ticket prices across airlines and booking platforms. They often display deals you might miss if you search directly on airline websites.

Top Search Engines I Used

Google Flights: I used the “Explore” feature to discover cheap destinations. It also showed price trends and alerts.
Skyscanner: This platform allowed me to search for flights to “Everywhere,” showing the cheapest destinations for specific dates.
Kayak: I used Kayak’s price prediction tool to determine the best time to book.
Momondo: This platform helped me compare prices across multiple booking sites.

Why These Tools Worked

Each tool provided filters for stops, flight duration, and baggage, helping me narrow my search. By comparing options across platforms, I found the lowest fares.

3. Book at the Right Time

Timing can significantly impact ticket prices. Knowing when to book is just as important as where you are traveling.

When I Booked

Domestic Flights: I booked 1–3 months in advance. Prices for domestic trips are usually stable until closer to the departure date.
International Flights: I booked 3–6 months in advance. Waiting too long often led to higher prices.
Last-Minute Flights: For spontaneous trips, I checked last-minute deals. Sometimes airlines dropped prices close to departure to fill empty seats.

Avoiding Peak Booking Times

I avoided booking on weekends and during evening hours, as prices were higher when more people searched for flights. Instead, I booked early in the morning or late at night on weekdays.

4. Sign Up for Price Alerts

Price alerts notify you when flight prices drop. They saved me from constantly checking prices and helped me act quickly when good deals appeared.

How I Used Price Alerts

I set up alerts on Google Flights and Skyscanner for my preferred routes.
Whenever prices dropped, I received an email or app notification.
By tracking prices for a few weeks, I knew what a “good deal” looked like and booked confidently.

5. Leverage Budget Airlines

Budget airlines are a great option for affordable travel. While they may not include luxuries, they offer significant savings.

Budget Airlines I Tried

Europe: Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air
Asia: AirAsia, Scoot, and Indigo
North America: Spirit Airlines, Frontier, and Southwest
Australia: Jetstar and Tigerair

Tips for Flying Budget Airlines

I read the baggage policies carefully. Budget airlines often charge extra for carry-on and checked luggage.
I brought my own snacks and entertainment to avoid additional costs onboard.
I compared budget airline fares with traditional airlines. Sometimes, full-service airlines offered better deals when baggage and food were included.

6. Consider Nearby Airports

Flying from or to secondary airports can significantly reduce ticket costs. These airports often have lower fees, which reflect in cheaper fares.

How I Saved

Instead of flying into London Heathrow, I chose London Gatwick or Stansted, which were cheaper.
For New York, I considered Newark and LaGuardia instead of JFK.
I checked nearby cities with Skyscanner’s “Include Nearby Airports” option. For example, flying into Pisa instead of Florence saved me money in Italy.

7. Take Advantage of Stopovers

Flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct flights. I used this to my advantage by booking longer stopovers to explore new cities at no extra cost.

Examples of Stopover Benefits

On a flight to Bangkok, I had a 12-hour stopover in Singapore, giving me enough time to explore the city.
Airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines offer free stopover programs, including hotel stays.

Why It Worked

While layovers added a few hours to my travel time, they reduced the overall cost of my ticket and gave me a mini-trip within the trip.

8. Maximize Credit Card Rewards

Travel credit cards helped me save money on flights by earning points and miles. Redeeming these points reduced the cost of tickets significantly.

Best Cards I Used

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earned bonus points on travel and dining, redeemable for flights.
American Express Gold: Provided access to airline miles programs and bonus offers.
Capital One Venture Rewards: Offered flat-rate rewards for every dollar spent, which I redeemed for flight purchases.

Additional Savings

Some cards provided perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
I signed up for airline loyalty programs, combining points from flights and credit card purchases for maximum rewards.

9. Look for Special Deals and Discounts

Airlines often offer promotions, flash sales, and error fares that can drastically lower ticket prices. Staying informed helped me grab these deals.

Where I Found Deals

Scott’s Cheap Flights: Sent email alerts about mistake fares and deals.
Airline Newsletters: Subscribed to newsletters for updates on sales.
Social Media: Followed airlines on Twitter and Facebook for last-minute promotions.

Acting Fast

I booked deals as soon as I saw them. Error fares don’t last long, so quick action was crucial.

10. Avoid Hidden Fees

While ticket prices may appear low, additional fees can add up quickly. I learned to avoid surprises by checking the fine print.

Common Fees to Watch

Baggage: I chose airlines with free carry-on options or packed light to avoid fees.
Seat Selection: I skipped seat selection on short flights and let the airline assign me a seat for free.
Payment Fees: Some airlines charged extra for credit card payments. I used payment methods without fees when available.

11. Book One-Way Tickets Separately

Sometimes, booking two one-way tickets with different airlines was cheaper than a round-trip ticket. This method also allowed me to customize travel times and airlines.

Example

I booked a one-way ticket from New York to London with Norwegian Air and returned with British Airways, saving 20% compared to a round-trip.

12. Travel Light

Packing light not only saved on baggage fees but also made travel more convenient. Many budget airlines include only a small personal item in their base fare.

How I Packed

I used a carry-on backpack that met airline size requirements.
I packed versatile clothing that could be layered or mixed and matched.
I minimized liquids and toiletries, sticking to travel-sized essentials.

13. Fly Red-Eye or Off-Hours

Flights during early morning or late at night are often cheaper. I adjusted my schedule to take advantage of these lower prices.

Benefits of Red-Eye Flights

Reduced fares due to lower demand.
Fewer crowds at airports, making check-in and security faster.
The ability to sleep on the flight and arrive ready to explore.

14. Clear Cookies or Use Incognito Mode

When searching for flights online, clearing cookies or using incognito mode prevented websites from inflating prices based on repeated searches.

Steps I Took

Opened a new incognito browser window for each search session.
Cleared cookies regularly to avoid price tracking.
Compared prices on different devices and networks.

15. Consider Alternative Booking Methods

Third-party websites sometimes offered better deals than booking directly with airlines. However, I ensured these platforms were reliable.

Trusted Third-Party Sites

Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline often had exclusive discounts.
I checked reviews and policies before booking to avoid issues with cancellations or changes.

16. Combine Multiple Strategies

To maximize savings, I combined several techniques. For example:

Used Skyscanner to find the cheapest dates.
Booked with a budget airline using points from my travel card.
Chose a red-eye flight with a stopover in a city I wanted to visit.

By layering strategies, I saved more than using any single method alone.

Finding cheap flights requires research, planning, and flexibility. By using flight search engines, leveraging rewards, and staying informed about deals, I consistently saved money on travel. These strategies made it possible for me to explore new destinations without overspending. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or a spontaneous getaway, these tips can help you save on flights and make travel more affordable.