To book cheap flight tickets, follow these expert tips:
Use the Best Flight Search Engines
- Use search engines known for finding the best prices such as Skyscanner , Momondo , Kiwi.com , Skiplagged , and Airfarewatchdog. These platforms often find cheaper fares by searching broadly and including budget airlines or mixing airlines for cheaper routes
- Try multiple search engines because no single one always has the cheapest fares
Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
- Flexibility in travel dates and airports can significantly lower costs. Use tools like Google Flights or Momondo to see price variations across different days
- Consider “open jaw” tickets flying into one city and returning from another nearby city to get cheaper fares
Book Connecting Flights Separately
- Sometimes booking individual legs of your journey separately can be cheaper than a direct or single-ticket booking. Compare prices for each segment and consider mixing airlines
Look for Sale, Error, and “Hidden City” Fares
- Sign up for price alerts and watch for airline sales or error fares, which are mistakenly low prices airlines fail to catch quickly
- Use sites like Skiplagged for “hidden city ticketing” where you book a flight with a layover at your actual destination to save money
Avoid Extra Fees
- Check for hidden fees like baggage, seat selection, and other add-ons that low-cost airlines charge. Factor these into your total cost to ensure you’re getting the best deal
Use Loyalty Programs and Reward Points
- Join frequent flyer programs to accumulate miles that can be redeemed for cheaper or free flights
Book in Incognito Mode and Clear Cookies
- Flight prices can increase based on your search history. Use your browser’s incognito mode to avoid price hikes based on repeated searches
Consider Using Mix-and-Match Airline Options
- Kiwi.com offers a guarantee when mixing airlines, which can save hundreds on long-haul flights by combining budget and traditional carriers
Book Early but Monitor for Last-Minute Deals
- Generally, booking well in advance yields cheaper tickets, but sometimes last-minute deals appear depending on demand and airline strategies
Summary Table of Key Tips
Tip| Description
---|---
Use multiple search engines| Skyscanner, Momondo, Kiwi.com, Skiplagged, etc.
Be flexible with dates| Check different dates for cheaper fares
Book connecting flights separately| Sometimes cheaper than direct flights
Watch for sales and error fares| Sign up for alerts and use specialized sites
Avoid hidden fees| Factor baggage and seat fees into total cost
Use loyalty programs| Accumulate miles for discounts
Use incognito mode| Prevent price inflation from repeated searches
Mix and match airlines| Combine carriers for cheaper routes with guarantees
Book early but monitor deals| Balance early booking with last-minute
opportunities
By combining these strategies, you can maximize your chances of booking cheap flight tickets
