It is hard to know whether you are getting a good deal or not when paying for a flight.It is hard to know what a cheap flight actually looks like due to the fact that prices fluctuate dramatically based on where you are departing and arriving.You are unlikely to score a deal if you manually pull up flights on an airline's website every day.There are lots of apps, websites, and strategies that you can use to get a great price on a good flight.
Step 1: You should begin your search 3-6 months before you travel.
You should start looking for tickets 4-5 months in advance of your flight.The hunt for international flights can be started six months ahead of time.Airlines set their prices high because they know they have plenty of time to find customers.Business travelers often fly on short notice, so prices are jacked up in the 1 month before a flight.You should book your flight 1-2 months before your departure.It is the best time to get a good price.You should have more than enough time to look for a deal.If you are flying to a popular tourist destination, the prices may go down a little.
Step 2: Flight tracker websites and apps can be used to set multiple price alerts.
A price alert is a notification that you set through an app or website to let you know when a price for a planned flight appears to be bottoming out.The best way to get a deal is to set the same price alert across as many platforms as possible, because every price scanning app and website uses different algorithms and tracks different flights.You can use an internet browser to download a flight tracker app.
Step 3: The flight trackers you choose will be based on what you value in your flight.
Airfare Watchdog and Secret Flying look for pricing anomalies among airlines.This is the best chance to get a crazy deal, even if you don't get your preferred airliner or flying time.If you can adjust your trip a little, you'll be able to see the lowest price on a calendar when you choose your departure and arrival dates.You can use Skyscanner to check multiple airports in your area.If you live in a big city, this is a great option.Hopper works with airlines to sell seats for flights that are not going to fill up.If you can find a flight that works for you, you will get serious discounts.Kayak, Momondo, Jetradar, and Cheapoair are other options.
Step 4: You can enter your departure and return date.
You can submit your departure location in the app or web browser.When you want to come back, enter where you would like to go.If you set a range that is larger than 2 weeks, you will get more notifications.You need to sign up for a price alert tracker.All of the services are free.Alerting for a different set of dates on the same app is one strategy.This is a good way to see if a time period is cheaper.This is not an option if you are going on a business trip or going to an event.
Step 5: Get notified when the price drops by setting an email or mobile alert.
The email notification option can be found on your computer or phone.When a price appears to be outside the norm, the flight tracking app or website will email, text, or notify you.You will get more notifications if you are more dedicated to finding a cheap price.You should be prepared to handle all of the notifications and emails.
Step 6: Determine what a great deal looks like by comparing prices.
When you get a notification, either mentally note the price or write it down.It can be difficult to figure out a reasonable price for a flight since the cost can vary so much.Tracking the notifications for 1-2 weeks is a good way to figure out what a great deal may look like.$200 for a flight from Boston to Chicago may sound great at first, but if you consistently get notifications for prices around $150, you can tell that a great deal may be somewhere around $125.
Step 7: You should pull the trigger on the deal around 3 months before you plan on flying.
You should pay for the flight once you find a price that you are comfortable with on a date and time that works for you.The price will start shooting back up if you wait too long.If you know you're getting a good deal, you don't need to wait more than 2 weeks to save money.If the Boston to Chicago flight drops to $133 and it is 1.5 months before the flight, it's not worth waiting for the extra $8 you were hoping to get off of your flight.
Step 8: Continue shopping after buying a ticket.
Within 24 hours of paying for the ticket, you can cancel a flight.The next 24 hours will be spent on the internet looking for cheaper flights.Check price alert notifications, check the websites of major airliners, and look for deals.Cancel your first flight and pay for a new one if you find a better price.The United States and many other countries in the European Union have this rule.Even if it isn't required where you live, the odds are high that the airliner you booked with has this policy.Non-budget airlines outside of the EU and United States are expected to follow this standard.
Step 9: Multiple online browsers can be used to find deals on flights.
You can set your price alert on multiple computers, phones, and browsers.While airlines claim that they don't raise prices when users search for flights over time, there is evidence that looking for a flight online can increase the prices.Incognito or private mode is a great way to hide your data and keep the airlines from tracking your interest in a flight.If you have ever done online shopping for a coat, you will know that all of your advertisements are related to winter clothing.Many websites track your cookies and user data to see what you are looking for.There is a lot of evidence to suggest that airlines raise prices on people that are likely to fly.It's better to save money wherever you can and this is a really easy way to potentially cut costs.
Step 10: There are flights that leave on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
When looking for flights or setting a price alert, be open to leave during the week.Since there are fewer customers to compete over seats, these flights are a little cheaper than weekend flights.The most expensive days to fly are Friday and Sunday.If you can, avoid these days.If you want to save money, choose a Saturday flight.
Step 11: If you want to cut back on flying costs, book your tickets with a budget airliner.
Any low-cost flight carrier that offers lower prices at the expense of fewer amenities is referred to as a budget airline.If you want to cut costs, giving up a little leg room and skipping out on the free peanuts may be worth it.When booking a flight with a budget airline, read the fine print.Fees will be charged for checked bags, personal items, and seat assignments.The additional costs will not make a budget airline worth it.Norwegian Airlines, Virgin, Air Asia, and Southwest are popular budget airlines.Booking with a budget airline doesn't mean you will be miserable on a flightMajor carriers often use the same airplanes and staff as budget airlines.They don't fly to as many locations and offer fewer services in the air.
Step 12: It's a good idea to fly out of less popular airports.
Smaller airports are trying to get customers with cheaper prices.If the major hub that you live by has a large impact on prices, then set some price alerts for a smaller airport in your area.There may be a big difference in where you live.If you live in New York City, you may be able to save money flying out of Newark, New Jersey.
Step 13: Get a flight early in the morning to cut costs.
Early morning and late night flights have higher ticket prices.The cheapest flights to leave before 9 am or after 9 pm are those that leave during the day.A flight that leaves late at night and lands early in the morning is referred to as a red eye.If you tend to sleep soundly on an airplane, these are a good choice.The flights that take off before 9 am are less likely to be late.The most likely times for flights to be delayed are at night.
Step 14: During the off-season, fly to tourist destinations.
Tropical destinations are very popular in the winter while colder areas are more popular during the summer.The reverse is the same.If you want to get a lower overall set of prices, aim to fly during the off-season.Flying to London in the winter will be cheaper than flying during the summer.For a tropical location, the opposite will be true.