How To Find Great Flight Fares

Tips to Score Great Flight Deals

Tony Hanseder

Reviewed by: Maura Huntz

Updated: August 15, 2024

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Key Topics:

• Ditch Your Phone
• Book Your Flight and Hotel Together
• Know When to Fly
• Check Weekly Specials and Last-Minute Deals
• Book Tickets Individually
• Know Where to Fly From
• Benefits of Booking Online
• Convenience
• Numerous Flight and Hotel Options to Choose From
• Get the Best Prices
• Access to Other Offers and Deals
• Loyalty Points
• Last-Minute Discount Deals
• FAQ: Tips to Score Great Flight Deals

Want help finding the best flight deals online? After many (many) years of flying, I’ve learned that with a little patience, knowledge, and persistence, you can frequently find a great deal for your next air travel trip. Let me share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.

Ditch Your Phone

I love my phone as much as the next person, but when it comes to finding the best flight deals, I’ve found that nothing beats a good old-fashioned laptop. Sure, there are plenty of apps that allow you to search for flights and even compare providers, but searching for those elusive deals takes time, effort, and a decent-sized screen. I always grab a cup of coffee, settle into a comfortable spot with my laptop, and prepare to dive deep into my research. Having a bigger screen with multiple tabs open makes it much easier to compare prices, check different websites, and snag that great deal.

Book Your Flight and Hotel Together

I’ve found that bundling your flight, hotel, and even car rentals can lead to significant savings. One time, I booked a flight and hotel together for a trip to Europe, and I ended up saving over $300 compared to booking them separately. Depending on your destination and length of stay, you can save between $200 and $500 (or more). That’s money that can be better spent on experiences, meals, or even a little extra shopping.

When I first started booking my own flights, I always turned to third-party websites like Kayak and Expedia, thinking I was getting the best deals. However, after watching this insightful video, I realized the hidden pitfalls of not booking directly with airlines. From losing out on the 24-hour cancellation option to the nightmare of dealing with third-party customer service, this video opened my eyes to the benefits of booking flights directly through the airline's website. If you're tired of unexpected fees and inflexible terms, this video is a must-watch before your next trip. Discover why booking directly can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches.

Know When to Fly

It’s no secret that business fares are the highest, especially on popular routes like SEA to/from SFO, and ATL to MIA. Airlines make a significant portion of their profits during these peak business travel times. I’ve learned to avoid flying on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons whenever possible. Instead, I opt for mid-week departures and returns. This simple strategy has saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. Tools that show fare trends on a calendar have been especially helpful in pinpointing the cheapest days to fly.

Check Weekly Specials and Last-Minute Deals

If you’re anything like me, flexibility is key when traveling. I’ve often scored amazing deals by checking various booking websites for last-minute offers. Once, I booked a last-minute trip to New York for less than half the usual fare simply by staying on top of these deals. Airlines and hotels frequently offer deep discounts on unsold inventory as the departure or check-in date approaches. Sign up for fare alerts and newsletters from travel sites—you never know when a great deal might land in your inbox.

Book Tickets Individually

Here’s a trick I’ve learned from experience: when booking for multiple travelers, the airline reservation systems often search for the number of seats you requested in the lowest fare class. If they can’t find adjacent seats, they automatically bump you to a higher fare class. By booking tickets individually, I’ve managed to snag cheaper seats. Of course, this might mean your group isn’t seated together, but I’ve often been able to use a seat map to move us closer or call the airline to request adjacent seats after booking.

Know Where to Fly From

Sometimes, it pays to think outside the box—or in this case, outside the airport. I’ve often opted to fly from an alternate airport to save on airfare. For example, flying out of San Jose or Oakland instead of San Francisco, or from Midway instead of Chicago O'Hare, can result in substantial savings. The extra travel time to the alternate airport is often worth it, especially when the savings more than cover the additional travel expenses. Plus, smaller airports tend to be less crowded and easier to navigate, making the overall travel experience more pleasant.

Benefits of Booking Online

I remember the days when you had to visit a travel agent to book a flight. Thankfully, those days are behind us. Now, booking online offers so many benefits that I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

Convenience

For me, the biggest perk of booking flights online is convenience. With the world of travel at your fingertips, you can research destinations, compare prices, and book everything from flights to hotels to car rentals—all from the comfort of your home. No need to wait for business hours or deal with middlemen.

Numerous Flight and Hotel Options to Choose From

When booking flights and hotels online, I’ve found that the sheer number of options is unbeatable. I can search across multiple websites, compare fares, and check availability in minutes. This makes it easy to find the best deal without breaking a sweat.

Get the Best Prices

One of the things I love about booking online is that it often results in better prices. Airlines and hotels frequently offer their lowest prices on their websites, and you can often find discount codes or special offers that aren’t available anywhere else. Plus, by avoiding travel agents, I sidestep the hidden fees that can eat into my budget.

Access to Other Offers and Deals

Booking online also opens up a world of additional deals. For instance, I’ve gotten discounts on airport parking and transfers just by booking through certain websites. These extra perks can really add up, making online booking a smart choice for any traveler.

Loyalty Points

Using airline credit cards or frequent flyer programs when booking online has enabled me to rack up loyalty points faster. These points have translated into future discounts, upgrades, and even free flights—a great bonus for someone who travels as much as I do.

Last-Minute Discount Deals

Finally, I’ve learned to keep an eye out for last-minute discount deals when booking online. Some airline websites offer exclusive discounts on economy class reservations made at the last minute, which has saved me a good chunk of change on several occasions.