How to Find Cheap Flights - 8 Easy Tips That Actually Work

By: Bhavesh B.

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Are you tired of sky-high flight ticket prices? It seems like every month, the cost of plane tickets just keeps going up. Travel experts and top booking websites all say that booking flights in advance is the key to finding affordable fares. Most of us are aware of this tip now. The tricky part, however, is actually finding those elusive cheap flights. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to save money on airfare every time you travel. With the right strategies, finding affordable flights is easier than you think. Take a look at these tips.

Related: This Chart Tells You When It's Cheapest To Travel

1. Use incognito mode when looking for tickets

Amazing Tricks to Get Cheaper Plane Tickets

To find affordable flights, it is important to maintain anonymity throughout the ticket search process. Flight prices are subject to change based on demand fluctuations. Airlines utilize this data to adapt fares accordingly, often increasing prices in response to sustained interest from potential passengers.

Clearing your search cookies disrupts this pattern, preventing attempts to capitalize on your browser history. After purging your browsing history, keep an eye out for price changes. Additionally, using an incognito browser protects your privacy and allows you to search for the best airfares discreetly.

2. Plan your flight on a weekday when tickets are cheaper

Plan your trips around weekdays to save money on flights. Some days, such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, are known for providing more affordable flight options. Furthermore, exploring midweek travel often leads to good prices and discounts, with occasional options for low rates on Thursdays.

Mondays, Fridays, and occasionally Sundays have higher ticket costs. The increased demand for business travel throughout the week usually encourages airlines to change costs proportionately, especially for Monday and Friday flights. Fortunately, the task of determining the lowest travel days has been simplified with the availability of online booking platforms, which usually include extensive airline calendars covering weeks or months.

Furthermore, while selecting flight timings, consider the practicality of being at the airport on time, particularly for early morning flights before 6 a.m., which sometimes offer more cost-effective options.

3. Opt for non-refundable tickets

Consider buying non-refundable tickets, as they generally come at a lower cost compared to refundable options. If you're confident about your travel dates, choosing non-refundable tickets can help you save extra money for your journey. Also, try booking a round-trip ticket as another effective strategy for saving money.

4. Buy air tickets individually

When you are buying flight tickets, it's important to keep in mind that most airlines offer different types of fares, each with a varying number of seats available at different prices. For instance, if you buy a group of four tickets and only two seats are available in the lowest-priced fare class, the booking system may automatically assign a higher tariff class to all four tickets instead. However, you may find a cheaper price overall by checking individual ticket purchases on the airline's website. This way, you can save money for one or more of the travelers, even if not all of them.

5. Stay in the loop with airlines through social media

In today's digital age, social media has revolutionized how we interact and access information. As a consumer, you can take advantage of this by following airlines on social media to receive a variety of benefits. This gives you access to special discounts and exclusive offers, such as last-minute ticket options, at incredibly low costs. Moreover, you can subscribe to airline newsletters or notifications to receive alerts about flash sales and special airfare discounts. With a bit of luck, you could enjoy savings of up to 50% on ticket fares!

Related: Avoid Hidden Fees with This Guide to Low-Cost Flights

6. Invest in a travel credit card if you are a frequent traveler

If you're someone who loves to travel, think about getting a travel credit card. Nowadays, there are several options available that don't require you to pay an annual fee. These cards allow you to earn points on your regular purchases, which can later be redeemed for free flights. With travel rewards credit cards, you can accumulate points or miles to save on airfare, lodging, and various other travel expenses. Furthermore, many of these cards include extra perks such as insurance coverage, access to airport lounges, free checked luggage, and bonus points.

7. Book connecting flights yourself for less

When you're traveling to a distant place and want to save some cash, don't hesitate to book a connecting flight. Using search engines, you can filter flight itineraries by the number of stops and find the best deals. And if you're willing to book flights with different airlines, you can save even more money. So, next time you're planning a trip, be smart and take advantage of these tips to get the most out of your budget.

8. Mix and match airlines

Direct bookings with an airline can restrict your travel options to that carrier and its network of partners. While this might work in some cases, if you're eager to find the perfect itinerary or save significantly on costs, you may encounter limitations.

If you're seeking greater savings, it's worth considering the tactic of booking flights separately with different airlines. For instance, if you're traveling from New York to Paris via a layover in London, booking each leg independently may yield better results. Secure your New York to London leg with one airline and then your London to Paris leg with another. Although this approach requires additional effort, the potential for savings and increased flexibility makes it worth it. Third-party booking platforms often employ this strategy to find the most economical options.