Scott’s Cheap Flights (now operating as Going) is a subscription service that emails you fare alerts for discounted airfares, aiming to help you snag international and domestic deals before they disappear. If you’re looking for cheap flights, here’s a concise guide to how it works and what to consider. What it is
- A flight-alert service that scans for unusually low fares and notifies subscribers when “deals” appear on routes you care about.
- Offers different tiers of membership, typically ranging from a lighter, cheaper option to a more premium plan with faster alerts or access to additional fare types.
How it can help
- Time-sensitive deals: Alerts often surface fare reductions that are short-lived, which can be hard to catch with manual searching.
- Breadth of coverage: By monitoring many routes and carriers, it can reveal bargains you might not stumble upon via regular search methods.
What to watch for
- Value vs. cost: Assess whether the savings you typically see justify the subscription price for your travel pattern (frequency, flexibility, and preferred destinations).
- Deal quality: Not every alert will be a winner; some are price drops on standard routes or basic economy fares with restrictions.
- International focus: The service is especially popular for international trips, where big round-trip savings are more common on certain markets.
Alternatives and complements
- General flight-search tools: Regular fare calendars, price alerts from multiple aggregators, and airline newsletters can supplement alerts.
- Flexible travel planning: Being open to different dates, airports, or nearby destinations often increases the chance of a strong deal.
- Wait-and-book strategy: Sometimes it’s worth monitoring and booking when a solid fare appears, rather than subscribing if travel plans are highly fixed.
Practical tips
- Define your “hit list”: Choose a few target routes and a rough date window to help the service filter for deals that matter to you.
- Set realistic expectations: Even with alerts, the best savings may come from being flexible or willing to book with less familiar carriers.
- Test for value: If you’re curious, consider trial periods or shorter memberships to gauge how frequently deals align with your plans.
If you’d like, share your typical destinations, travel dates, and whether you’re aiming for international or domestic trips. That will help tailor advice on whether a Going subscription is likely to be worthwhile for your situation.