Buying a flight is the first official step to your next adventure. It’s easy to get lost on the internet for hours searching for the perfect deals (and I’ll admit it still often happens to me). Here are some essential tips for keeping your sanity while saving some $$. After all, saving money now means you have more to spend on your trip, or maybe you can afford another trip this year!!
1. Don’t limit yourself to one search engine.
Each has different partners and flight combos for specific days. There used to be a theory that certain days are cheaper, but there are so many variables that it’s best to look at your options around a specific date.
I typically look at:
- Kayak. com. You can search for multi-city flights if needed here, set price alerts, and look at dates one week at a time for the best deals if you are flexible.
- Skycanner.com, google.com/flights, or Kiwi.com. Pick your departure city, and you can literally choose “anywhere” if you’re looking for inspiration. You can look at entire months at a time if you are open to choosing a date to get the absolute best deal possible. These sites get really creative with flight combos, so pay attention to details- such as the need to pick up and re-check luggage if you have more than a carry-on or switching airports.
BEWARE: When you search for certain flights too often, the sites start recognizing it as a “rising demand” and may increase the flight price. Take notes as you search so you don’t have to keep searching for the same flight. I’ve also been told clearing your Cookies history can help.
2. Search for one-way flights.
Occasionally, this can be cheaper- especially if you’re looking on a specific airline website. Do a quick search to see once you have an idea of your dates!
3. Be flexible on the dates.
Cheaper travel days tend to be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. It will be quick and easy to figure this out once you start searching on the engines above. The price differences from one day to the next can be drastic.
4. Be flexible on the departure city.
Shop around and decide if the savings are worth it. If traveling with a group (or a bigger family), there are definite advantages. Plus, if you search in a city nearby where you have a friend or family member, they may let you park your car at their place while you’re gone. Other tricks we’ve used to save a significant amount is to rent a car and drop it off at our departure city or take a greyhound.
5. Travel light and simple.
Nowadays, with so many budget airlines, a lot of money can be saved if you only have a carry-on and bring your food and drink (on Norwegian Airlines). Who likes nasty airline food and dealing with lost luggage anyway?
6. Sign up for alerts.
My inbox is always ready to alert me to deals from Kayak, Delta, United, Travel Zoo, and Norwegian Air (the more common airlines we use). If you have airline preferences or know that certain airlines are cheaper from your base city, be the first to know about sales.
7. Sign up for and use miles.
If you haven’t already, sign up for a mileage card. If you plan to do a lot of traveling anyway, it’s a no-brainer with no international fees for use. We have tried a few cards over the years: the ones that have worked best for us so far is our United MileagePlus Explorer and Chase Sapphire. We find some killer deals and have had quite a few free one-way trips to Europe, Asia, and domestically in the U.S. (including from Alaska!). We tried a Delta Amex card but found it wasn’t taken very many places, and the miles were more challenging to use, so we canceled.
Note: We make everyday purchases on our mileage card to maximize our miles. Plus, we get bonus miles if we spend so much each year! Win-win. (We ALWAYS pay our card monthly; no one can travel with debt looming overhead!).
With just a few easy tips, you’re on your way to some serious savings.
We’d love to hear any other tips you have found helpful! Thanks for reading!
Like this post? Share it!
