How to Save Money on Flights
Want to explore new places but dread the dent in your bank account? Don't let sky-high ticket prices clip your travel wings! Jet off to a European paradise without worries or plan a quick weekend getaway to an offbeat destination with simple saving hacks.
So, buckle up, because we're about to take you on a journey through the top tried and tested hacks, tricks, and insider secrets to save big on your next adventure. Ready to fly smarter? Let's go!
1. Use a VPN to Save Money on Flights
Airlines often display different prices based on your location. A VPN lets you change your virtual location and access lower fares in other regions. For example, you might find cheaper prices when booking from a country with lower demand or different currency rates.
How to Use a VPN to Save Money on Flight Tickets
- Choose a Reliable VPN: Download and install a trusted VPN service. You can use NordVPN coupons to save on its plans.
- Connect to a Different Location: Open the VPN to a country's server where flight prices may be low (e.g., the airline's home country or a low-income country).
- Clear Cookies and Browser History: Before searching, clear your cookies and browsing data to avoid dynamic pricing based on previous searches.
- Search for Flights: While connected to the VPN, visit the airline's website or travel aggregator and compare prices from different server locations.
- Book Smart: Once you find the best deal, proceed with the booking. Feel free to use an international payment method.
| Pro Tip: Test multiple locations using a VPN before booking. Sometimes, searching from the airline’s home country yields the best deals. |
2. Book Flights Early
One of the most effective ways to save money on flights is to book well in advance. Airlines typically release their flight schedules 11 months before departure, and prices tend to be lower during this period. However, ticket prices often rise as the departure date approaches and demand increases.
How to Book Flights Early and Save Money
- Set Fare Alerts: Use platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to track price drops and receive notifications. Get additional discounts with exclusive Hopper promo codes.
- Book During Off-Peak Times: Book flights mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) and during early hours for lower fares.
- Airline Sales: Check for seasonal sales or promotions by airlines and travel platforms.
- Join Loyalty Programs: Sign up for frequent flyer programs to earn miles that can be redeemed for discounts or upgrades.
- Check Refundable Options: Book early with refundable or flexible fare options if plans change or a better deal pops up.
| Pro Tip: Start looking for flights at least 2-3 months in advance for domestic trips and 4-6 months for international travel. |
3. Be Flexible with Travel Dates
Flexibility with travel dates can be your golden ticket to save on flights. Airlines often price tickets based on demand, meaning flying on less popular days like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays can result in cheaper fares than peak travel days like Fridays or Sundays. Traveling during off-peak seasons- think shoulder months like April, May, September, or October – can also save you a bundle, as prices tend to drop when demand is lower.
| Time | Why It’s Cheaper | Best Destinations | Tips for Savings |
| January – Early March | Post-holiday low demand, winter off-season | Tropical getaways (Caribbean, Southeast Asia) | Book early for winter deals |
| April – May | Shoulder season before summer travel picks up | Europe (spring blooms), U.S. cities | Look for spring sales from airlines |
| Late August | End of summer, families return as schools reopen | Europe, U.S., or beach destinations | Travel in the last two weeks of August |
| September – Early November | Shoulder season, fewer crowds, fall travel deals | Europe (fall foliage), Asia, Canada | Flexible dates unlock even cheaper prices |
| Midweek Days (Tue/Wed) | Lower demand for flights | Domestic and international | Use flexible date search tools |
| Saturday (Weekend) | Lower demand than on Friday or Sunday | Popular weekend getaways | Opt for early morning or late-night flights |
| Before/After Major Holidays | Avoids holiday rush; less competitive booking | Varies depending on the holiday destination | Book well in advance for pre/post-holiday deals |
| Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare prices across dates and find the cheapest options. Check out our blog for more tips on how to save money during your trip in our article. |
4. Use Flight Search Engines
Flight comparison websites and apps are great for finding the best deals. Some popular options include:
- Google Flights: Provides a comprehensive overview of prices and trends.
- Skyscanner: Allows you to search for flights across multiple airlines.
- Kayak: Offers flexible search options and fare alerts.
These tools often have features like flexible date searches, fare alerts, and the ability to see prices for nearby airports, helping you find the cheapest options. Additionally, some search engines offer tips like when to book or predictions on price changes to help plan smarter.
| Quick Tip: Explore flights on the "Anywhere or "Explore option on platforms like Skyscanner or Google Flights for unexpected budget-friendly destinations within your travel dates! |
5. Set Fare Alerts
Many travel websites and apps allow you to set up fare alerts for specific routes. These alerts notify you when prices drop, ensuring you don't miss out on a good deal.
How to Set Fare Alerts for Flight Tickets
- Choose a Flight Search Engine: Set fare alerts on platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Hopper, or Kayak.
- Search for Your Route: Enter your departure and destination cities with your desired travel dates.
- Enable Alerts: Click on the "Track Prices or "Set Alerts option, usually displayed after search results.
- Sign Up or Log In: You may need to create an account or log in with your email for alerts.
- Customize Alerts: Select options for daily or weekly updates to track specific dates or flexible ranges.
- Monitor Your Inbox: Once set up, you'll receive notifications about price drops, increases, or deals for your chosen route.
| Pro Tip: Sign up for fare alerts on multiple platforms to increase your chances of finding the best price. |
6. Consider Budget Airlines
Budget airlines often offer significantly cheaper tickets than traditional carriers. While they may have fewer amenities, they're great for short-haul flights or travelers on a tight budget. Some popular budget airlines include:
1) Europe
- Ryanair: Covers major and smaller cities across Europe at unbeatable prices.
- EasyJet: Offers affordable flights across Europe and good service.
- Wizz Air: Known for low-cost flights in Central and Eastern Europe.
2) Asia
- AirAsia: The go-to budget airline for Southeast Asia and beyond.
- Scoot: Covers Asia-Pacific destinations at affordable rates.
- IndiGo: Dominates domestic routes in India and offers international options.
3) North America
- Southwest Airlines: Known for domestic U.S. routes with no hidden fees.
- Spirit Airlines: Offers ultra-low fares across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Allegiant Air: Focuses on less-traveled routes at low prices.
4) Australia and New Zealand
- Jetstar Airways: Perfect for domestic and international travel in the region.
- Tigerair: Offers affordable domestic Australian flights.
5) Middle East and Africa
- Flydubai: Great for regional destinations in the Middle East and beyond.
- Fastjet: A reliable choice for low-cost travel across Africa.
| Quick Tip: Be aware of additional fees for baggage, seat selection, and in-flight services when booking with budget airlines. Looking for more saving ideas? Read our blog on 10 Money Saving Tips During Vacations. |
7. Look for Connecting Flights
Non-stop flights are convenient but often expensive. Choosing flights with layovers can save you a significant amount of money. Use search engines to filter options for connecting flights and compare the savings.
How to Book Connecting Flights
- Search on Flight Aggregators: Use booking platforms to compare connecting flight options. It combines routes from different airlines with the best prices.
- Check Multi-City Options: If you're visiting multiple destinations, use the "multi-city option instead of booking separate one-way flights.
- Be Mindful of Layovers: Look for layovers with enough time (at least 2-3 hours) to account for delays, security checks, and boarding.
- Choose a Single Booking: Book connecting flights on the same ticket to ensure the airline takes responsibility for missed connections due to delays.
- Consider Different Airlines: If booking separately, check flight times carefully and allow extra layover time, especially if you need to change terminals or recheck baggage.
- Verify Baggage Policies: Confirm baggage rules for each leg of your journey, especially if connecting flights are on different airlines.
- Check Visa Requirements: Some countries require a transit visa even for short layovers. Verify this before booking.
- Save Money with Stopovers: Look for deals offering extended stopovers to explore another destination for free.
| Pro Tip: Check layover durations carefully to ensure enough time between flights without long waits. |
8. Pack Essentials to Skip Baggage Fees
Baggage fees can quickly increase, especially with budget airlines or during international travel. By packing only the essentials and sticking to carry-on luggage, you can save money and avoid the hassle of checking bags. Focus on versatile clothing items, travel-sized toiletries, and compact gadgets to utilize your limited space.
| Pro Tip: Use compression bags to maximize space in your carry-on, and wear your heaviest items (like jackets or boots) during the flight to free up room in your bag. Always check the airline’s carry-on size and weight limits to avoid unexpected fees. |
9. Book Tickets in Incognito Mode
Airlines and travel websites may use cookies to track your searches and increase prices based on demand. To avoid this, use your browser's incognito or private mode when searching for flights.
How Incognito Mode Works to Save on Flight Fares
- Avoid Price Tracking: Airlines and travel websites use cookies to monitor your searches, potentially increasing ticket prices based on repeated inquiries.
- Prevent Dynamic Pricing: Your browsing history is hidden while searching in incognito or private mode, ensuring you see unbiased pricing.
- Start Fresh Every Session: To reset possible tracking, close and reopen the incognito window before starting a new search.
Added more travel destinations to your bucket list? Save on all your trips with our guide on saving money during travel.
| Pro Tip: Clear your browser cookies or use a VPN to protect your search data. |
10. Redeem Travel Rewards and Miles
If you're a frequent traveler, joining an airline's loyalty program or using a travel rewards credit card can help you earn miles that can be redeemed for free or discounted flights. Look for cards with sign-up bonuses, generous rewards rates, and perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
Popular Travel Reward Programs:
- American Airlines AAdvantage: Earn miles through flights, shopping, or dining; redeem for free tickets or upgrades.
- Delta SkyMiles: Points never expire and can be used for flights, cabin upgrades, or exclusive deals.
- United MileagePlus: Access free tickets, seat upgrades, or deals via Star Alliance partners.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Earn points with Chase Sapphire cards and transfer them to travel partners.
- Hilton Honors: Accumulate points for hotel stays or use them for flights with select airline partners. The points can be used with Hilton's promo codes for massive savings.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards: Redeem for free flights with perks like no blackout dates and flexible policies.
- Emirates Skywards: Use miles for international flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences.
- LATAM Pass: LATAM Airlines' loyalty program allows you to earn and redeem miles for flights across South America and partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance, as well as for upgrades and exclusive offers. Get additional discounts on flight booking with Latam Airlines deals from GrabOn.
Travel can be incomplete without a comfortable stay with your choice of amenities. Save on your favorite hotels and resorts with our informative article.
| Pro Tip: Use your travel rewards strategically for expensive routes or international flights to maximize savings. |
Final Thoughts
Saving money on flights doesn't have to be complicated. By planning, staying flexible, and taking advantage of the tips mentioned above, you can make air travel more affordable and enjoyable. Whether using a VPN, exploring booking platforms, or leveraging travel hacks, there are plenty of ways to reduce travel expenses. Happy travels ahead!
