Finding cheap flights isn't about luck—it's about strategy. After years of tracking airfare patterns and testing various booking methods, here's what actually works in 2025.
The Golden Rules of Flight Booking
1. Be Flexible With Dates
This is the single most important factor in finding cheap flights. A Tuesday departure can cost half as much as a Saturday one.
Best days to fly: Tuesday and Wednesday typically offer the lowest fares Worst days to fly: Friday and Sunday (peak leisure travel) Best days to book: No longer matters as much as people think—prices fluctuate constantly
2. Use Incognito Mode
Yes, airlines and booking sites do use cookies to track your searches. While the price inflation isn't as dramatic as some claim, it's still worth using private browsing.
More importantly, use incognito mode to compare prices across different sites without cached data influencing results.
3. Set Price Alerts
Don't check prices obsessively. Instead, set alerts and let the tools do the work.
Best tools for price alerts:
- Google Flights (best overall)
- Skyscanner
- Hopper (good for predictions)
The Best Time to Book
The "book 54 days in advance" rule is mostly outdated. Here's what the data actually shows:
Domestic flights: 1-3 months ahead for best prices International flights: 2-8 months ahead Peak season: Book 4-6 months early Off-peak: Last-minute deals can happen
The key insight: prices are most volatile 3-4 weeks before departure. You might find a deal, or prices might spike. For important trips, don't gamble.
Hidden City Ticketing
This controversial strategy involves booking a flight with a connection in your actual destination and simply not taking the final leg.
Example: A flight from NYC to Miami to Cancun might be cheaper than NYC to Miami direct. You'd book to Cancun but get off in Miami.
Important warnings:
- Only works with one-way tickets
- No checked bags (they'll go to final destination)
- Airlines can cancel your frequent flyer miles
- Against most airlines' terms of service
Use with caution and understand the risks.
Budget Carrier Strategies
Low-cost carriers can offer incredible deals, but you need to know the game:
Europe
- Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air
- Book early for best prices
- Bring only a small personal item or pay for bags
- Print boarding passes at home
Asia
- AirAsia, Scoot, VietJet
- Watch for flash sales
- Join mailing lists for member-only deals
Americas
- Spirit, Frontier, Southwest
- The "Big Front Seat" on Spirit is often worth it
- Southwest's bags-fly-free policy provides real value
The Multi-City Hack
Sometimes booking two separate one-way tickets is cheaper than a round trip. This is especially true when:
- Returning to a different city than you departed from
- One airline dominates a route
- Budget carriers only fly certain days
Always check both options.
Use the Right Booking Sites
For searching: Google Flights (best for comparing options) For booking: Airline websites (avoid OTA fees and complications) For error fares: Secret Flying, The Flight Deal For award tickets: Points.me, AwardHacker
Pro tip: After finding a good price on Google Flights, go directly to the airline's website to book. This makes cancellations and changes much easier.
Mistake Fares and Flash Sales
These incredible deals do exist, but they require speed:
How to catch them:
- Follow The Flight Deal on Twitter
- Join Scott's Cheap Flights (now Going.com)
- Check Secret Flying daily
- Enable push notifications
When you find one, book first and research later. Most airlines honor mistake fares, and you can often cancel within 24 hours risk-free.
Credit Card Points Strategy
For frequent travelers, points and miles offer the best long-term value:
Best starter cards (varies by country):
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Capital One Venture X
- Amex Gold
Transfer partners matter: Focus on cards that transfer to multiple airlines and hotel programs.
Earning strategy: Put all regular spending on one primary card to accumulate points faster.
Booking Class Matters
That amazing business class deal might not be so great if you look at the booking class:
Revenue tickets: Full mileage earning, upgrade eligible Discount tickets: Reduced miles, no upgrades Basic economy: Worst of both worlds
If you're building status or want flexibility, sometimes paying slightly more for a better fare class makes sense.
Regional Tips
To/From Europe
- Norwegian and TAP offer good transatlantic value
- Consider positioning flights to/from cheaper hubs
- Open-jaw tickets (fly into one city, out of another) often save money
To/From Asia
- Middle Eastern carriers (Qatar, Emirates) often have competitive prices
- Look at positioning through Tokyo or Seoul for Pacific routes
- Multi-city in Asia is usually cheap with budget carriers
Within the Americas
- Southwest's Companion Pass is legendary value for couples
- Look at Volaris and VivaAerobus for Mexico
- Consider overnight buses for shorter distances in South America
What Doesn't Work Anymore
Some outdated advice to ignore:
- Tuesday at 3PM booking myth: No longer relevant
- VPN to change location: Rarely works, can cause problems
- Waiting until the last minute: Risky for most trips
- Calling the airline for better deals: Waste of time for most routes
Quick Checklist Before You Book
- Compare across multiple sites
- Check the airline's direct website
- Verify total price including all fees
- Check baggage policies
- Read cancellation terms
- Consider travel insurance for expensive tickets
Finding cheap flights requires patience and flexibility. Start your search early, set up alerts, and be ready to book when you see a good deal. The savings can be substantial—often hundreds of dollars that can be spent on experiences instead.
Compare flight prices across dozens of airlines in seconds with TripFlight—our price comparison tool that finds the best deals without the hassle.
