How to Get Cheap Flights Every Time: The Complete Guide

 How to Get Cheap Flights Every Time: The Complete Guide

Travel doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg—particularly if you learn how to snag affordable flights. Whether you fly a lot or are going on your first trip in years, learning how to get cheap flights every time will save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in the long run. In this full guide, we're going to cover effective strategies, resources, and techniques to assist you in getting cheap flights every time.

1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

The single biggest factor when it comes to the price of flights is your travel date. Traveling on weekends, holidays, or high-tourist seasons (summer, Christmas, etc.) will usually cost you more. If you can be flexible:

Fly midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheapest)

Don't fly on Fridays and Sundays

Travel during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall)

Use websites such as Google Flights or Skyscanner to look at prices for whole months. You'll frequently find huge price variations depending on when you fly.

2. Utilize Flight Search Engines and Aggregators

All search engines are not equal. To get the best possible shot at a wonderful deal, search multiple of them. Some of the best ones are:

Google Flights – Excellent for looking at places and contrasting monthly prices

Skyscanner – Easy date and destination flexible search

Momondo – Finds secret deals

Hopper – Forecasts the best time to book

Kiwi.com – Creative route combinations for best deals

Search engines may show varying results depending on their affiliations, so cross-checking may yield better deals.

3. Create Fare Alerts and Practice Patience

You do not always need to make that booking immediately. Patience may sometimes pay. Utilize fare alert tools such as:

Google Flights' "Track Prices"

Skyscanner's Price Alerts

Hopper alerts

They alert you when prices fall on certain routes. Sometimes, prices vary for a week or two before reaching a bottom, so monitoring flights early is important.

4. Book At the Right Time

Timing is everything. Although there is no formula, researchers have found:

Domestic flights: Book 1–3 months ahead

International flights: Book 2–8 months ahead

Last-minute bargains: Sometimes available, but not recommended

Don't book too early (over 9 months ahead), as prices may be temporarily set artificially high.

5. Utilize the "Incognito" Mode Myth (But Be Aware of Facts)

You may have been told that searching flights on incognito mode keeps prices from increasing. Although most major flight sites claim not to use cookies to increase prices, utilizing incognito mode still has its benefits:

Doesn't let your browser display cached results

Ensures a fresh search with multiple engines

At the worst, it won't kill you—so why not?

6. Look for Budget Airlines

Budget airlines can save you a fortune—particularly for short flights. Airlines such as:

Southwest, Spirit, Frontier (USA)

Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air (Europe)

AirAsia, Scoot (Asia)

Have very low base fares. But watch out: budget airlines make you pay extra for absolutely everything—from bags to seat choice. Always check the small print and compare overall prices.

7. Mix and Match Airlines (and Airports)

Don't always assume one-airline round-trip flights are cheaper. Look at:

Different airlines on one-way tickets

Entering a city and exiting a different city

Different airports near you (e.g., Oakland vs. San Francisco)

Site tools like Kiwi.com or Google Flights can allow you to combine routes effectively.

8. Use Points, Miles, and Credit Card Rewards

If you’re not using travel rewards, you’re missing out. Frequent flyer programs and travel credit cards can cover all or part of your flight costs.

Popular cards include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve

Capital One Venture

American Express Platinum/Gold

These cards offer sign-up bonuses, points per dollar spent, and travel perks. Pair with airline loyalty programs like Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus for free flights and upgrades.

9. Take Advantage of Mistake Fares

Mistake fares occur when airlines post the incorrect price by error or technical bug. Websites such as:

Secret Flying

Airfarewatchdog

The Flight Deal

Scott's Cheap Flights (now Going)

Notify subscribers to mistake fares, flash sales, and special offers. Grab one when you spot one, as they don't last long!

10. Look at Layovers and Longer Flights

Non-stop flights are convenient—but usually more expensive. Consider adding a layover to greatly reduce your price.

Try Google Flights or Skyscanner's "multi-city" search

Look for flights with long layovers in interesting cities (you get a bonus mini-trip!)

Some travelers even use “hidden city” ticketing (buying a flight with a layover at your intended destination), but beware—this can violate airline policies.

11. Pay in Local Currency (When Applicable)

Occasionally, purchasing your ticket from a local airline website in its home currency will be cheaper. This won't always be the case, and you need to add foreign transaction fees, but it's worth trying.

12. Take advantage of Student and Youth Discounts

If you're a student or under 26, use youth flight discounts. Try:

STA Travel (or alternatives)

StudentUniverse

UNiDAYS travel deals

You can save up to 30% on some international flights.

13. Follow Airlines and Deal Accounts on Social Media

Deals tend to pop up on social media before they appear on search engines. Follow:

Airlines' Twitter and Facebook accounts

Travel influencers and deal hunters

Reddit threads like r/TravelDeals

Sometimes flash sales are only live for a few hours!

14. Use Stopover Programs to Get More Value

Numerous airlines provide free stopovers in their hub cities. For instance:

Icelandair – Stopover in Reykjavik

Turkish Airlines – Stopover in Istanbul

Emirates – Dubai Stopover

You can visit an additional city for no extra airfare. It's two vacations for the cost of one.

Last Words: Be a Smart Traveler

Booking affordable flights isn't chance—it's an art. By being flexible, employing the correct tools, and monitoring trends, you can travel more frequently without spending more.

Snapshot:

 

✅ Be flexible with dates and airports

✅ Employ several search engines

✅ Set fare alerts and monitor prices

✅ Compare budget airlines and hybrid carriers

✅ Take advantage of rewards, alerts, and error fare websites

It may take some time and digging, but the amounts saved can be significant—and those extra dollars can go toward hotels, activities, or your next trip.