How to Find the Cheapest Flight Tickets to Your Next Destination
If you’re searching for ways to save on your next flight, there are a few strategies you can try. But before you begin searching for deals, there are some essential things to consider.
One of the simplest solutions is to utilize multiple search engines. Doing this allows you to locate the best fares across all airlines and destinations at once.
1. Use Multiple Search Engines
One of the best ways to find cheap flight tickets to your next destination is by using multiple search engines. Each search engine utilizes a different algorithm and will return various results.
Google Flights provides a Date Grid that helps you identify the cheapest dates to fly, as well as a Price Graph showing how prices have changed for certain routes.
Kayak’s “fee assistant” can also be helpful, incorporating checked bag fees into searches so you aren’t caught off-guard by an unexpected fee. Furthermore, you can register for price alerts to stay informed when prices change.
2. Be Flexible With Your Dates
Finding the most affordable flight tickets to your next destination can be as simple as shifting your travel dates by one or two days. Even a change of just one day can save you hundreds of dollars!
To plan flexible travel, the solution is to use travel search sites designed specifically for this purpose. Popular options include Kayak and Skyscanner.
Google Flights is another useful site, allowing you to enter up to seven departure and destination airports into the search field. It then returns a list of flights at random times within your date range that include those destinations.
3. Look for Hidden City Fares
If you’re looking to save money on flights, one of the best strategies is searching for hidden city fares. These deals are cheaper since you’re only flying to a stopover instead of your final destination.
Skiplagged often lists flights on its search engine, but be wary when using it – these violations of many airlines’ contracts of carriage could lead to the closure of your frequent flyer account.
4. Look for Credit Card Offers
One of the best ways to find cheap flight tickets is using your credit card. These cards provide various travel benefits such as insurance, rewards programs and airline lounge access.
Travel credit cards can be especially useful when spending time abroad in countries with volatile exchange rates. NerdWallet’s team of credit card experts will help you find the best travel credit cards for your budget, including free going-home travel insurance, no-fee worldwide protection plans and lounge access benefits.
5. Look for Direct Flights Only
One of the best ways to save money is by searching for direct flights. Airlines tend to price direct flights higher than multi-stop options, meaning you could potentially save a considerable amount of money this way.
Another way to maximize your search is to utilize a flight-exploring tool. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights make it effortless to view which flights go where and at what cost.
For instance, if you’re flying from Chicago-O’Hare to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, searching one-stop flights could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. For example, you might come across a $430 flight that makes a stop in Reykjavik (KEF), making an intermission before continuing onward to Paris.
6. Look for Error Fares
Error fares are an excellent way to save hundreds of dollars on your next vacation. They can be found on many popular travel sites and often last for a limited time.
Travel forums such as FlyerTalk offer mistake fares which you can set up notifications to alert you when one is posted. Unfortunately, these deals usually expire within 24 hours so act quickly to book them!
7. Book Early
One of the best ways to find cheap flight tickets to your next destination is to book as far in advance as possible. This is because flights tend to become more costly as they near their departure date.
That is especially true if you are attending a popular festival or during school holidays.
To avoid that, use Google Flights’ flexible price calendar tool to check nearby dates and see which flight options are available during those times. Doing this can reduce long-haul fares in half, saving you money in the process.
