Your wallet need not take a hit to board the wondrous skies. Travelers overpay for flights every day because they don’t have the same smart comparison tricks up their sleeve that seasoned travelers do. When planning a family vacation, a business trip or even traveling alone, knowing how to compare flights can result in hundreds if not thousands of saved dollars. This guide shares every strategy, tool, and secret to turn you into a savvy flight shopper.
Why Airfares Change So Much
Before we get into tactics for comparison, it’s important to understand why flight rates are so wacky. Airlines employ sophisticated computer systems to adjust their prices based on demand, time until departure, competition and other factors, including your browsing history. A ticket that is selling for $300 today may be $500 tomorrow or $200 next week.
Airlines monitor the number of unsold seats and adjust prices accordingly. When a flight gets full too fast, prices go up. When seats go unsold, airlines lower prices to attract buyers. It is because timing can have a big impact on when you book.
When to Book Your Flight
Timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. There are clearly identified patterns with flight prices, regardless of when passengers book.
Where Domestic Flights Are Sweetest
If you’re flying somewhere in your country, book between one and three months before you leave. Booking too far in advance can be a mistake because prices are generally not any lower and worse yet, waiting until the last minute often results in outrageous premiums. Weekday departures on Tuesday or Wednesday are often cheaper.
International Flight Booking Windows
International trips require more planning. Book two to eight months out for the best price. Flights should be purchased for summer vacation travel to Europe in January or February. International travel during the holidays requires even longer advance booking — in some cases up to 10 months out.
Average Savings by Booking Time
| Booking Window | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Last Minute | 15% |
| 1-2 Weeks | 38% |
| 1-3 Months | 52% |
| 4-6 Months | 45% |
| 6+ Months | 28% |
Percent based on average potential savings for customers who bought first or business class tickets with the following carriers last year: AEROMEXICO 20%, Qatar Airways: 59% and United Airlines: 69%.
Flight Comparison Sites That Actually Work
You don’t see the same results on all comparison sites. Some of them hide certain airlines; others tack on booking fees. It makes such a difference to know what tools you can trust.
| Comparison Tool | Best Feature | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Google Flights | Calendar view with best prices, quick search | Doesn’t include some budget airlines |
| Skyscanner | Searches budget airlines, flexible dates | Sometimes sends you to sketchy booking sites |
| Kayak | Price alerts, hacker fares combining carriers | Interface can get cluttered with ads |
| Momondo | Finds hidden deals, comprehensive searches | Booking process can be confusing |
| ITA Matrix | Advanced search filters, fare rules | Can’t book directly, difficult for beginners |
Pro Tip: Always get quotes from at least two comparison sites. Compare at least three different sources before booking. There can be a wide variation in prices among sites, particularly when some sites have special deals with particular airlines.
For more tips and deals, visit Call to Flights.
Smart Search Strategies That Save You Money
How you search for flights is just as important as when you search. These methods consistently reveal cheaper alternatives that go unnoticed by most travelers.
Flexible Date Searching
Being flexible with your travel dates can yield tremendous savings. And most comparison sites have calendars that let you see prices on different dates. Flying on a Tuesday instead of Friday could leave you with an extra $200 or more in your pocket. If your schedule is flexible, search for flights just one or two weeks before and after your ideal ones to find the best deals.
Nearby Airport Comparison
Many large cities have more than one airport. You need not settle for the closest one. Tickets to that airport an hour away might be half as much, which could cover whatever you end up spending on the rest of your ground transportation and put dollar signs back in your eyes. Search flights to all surrounding airports, always!
One-Way vs. Round-Trip Booking
Round-trip tickets may sound easier, but two one-way flights could actually be cheaper if you book on different airlines. Low-cost carriers, in particular, can provide decent one-way deals. Comparison shop the two options every time you book.
Hidden City Ticketing
Occasionally, flights with a layover in your destination city are cheaper than flying directly there. You could simply purchase the less expensive connecting flight and get off at the layover city. Airlines hate it, you can do it only with carry-on bags and this trick works only one way.
Price Alert Tools to Help You Shop Smart (So You Don’t Have To)
It is a waste of time to check prices manually every day. Savvy fliers create price alerts, which alert them any time there’s a price drop.
With Google Flights you can monitor particular routes and receive email notifications when the price changes. Hopper studies prices and tells you whether to book now or wait. Scott’s Cheap Flights and Going send personalized bargains to your inbox, with premium subscriptions that unlock worldwide routes.
Establish multiple alerts on the same route under different parameters — different search dates, nearby airports and various airlines. This strategy guarantees that you will never miss a good deal.
Budget Airlines: When to Pay the Extra Fees
Budget carriers, such as Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair and EasyJet, also promote dirt-cheap base fares that aren’t what you actually pay. These airlines are all about the upcharges — the added fees for picking a seat, bringing on carry-on bags, checking anything in and printing out boarding passes, sometimes even water in flight.
There are certain situations when a budget airline can make sense for short hops, minimal luggage and enough time to get there early and follow all their rules. For longer flights or family trips that require multiple bags, traditional airlines tend to be the same price, if not cheaper depending on all the extras.
What Budget Airlines Charge Extra For
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | $35–$65 each way |
| Checked bag | $40–$100 per bag |
| Seat selection | $10–50 per flight |
| Priority boarding | $10–30 one-way |
| Changes or cancellations | $100+ per ticket |
Reward Systems and The Deal with Credit Cards
Frequent flyer programs and travel credit cards might seem intimidating, but if you use them properly they’re essentially free money. Enroll in airline frequent-flier programs even if you fly infrequently — they don’t allow miles to expire anymore for most of the major carriers, and free membership is free.
Travel credit cards have massive signup bonuses that can pay for entire flights. A lot give you 50,000 to 100,000 points just for spending some amount in the first few months — though typically you can spend your bonus points on flights only through a large bank of approved providers. Those points typically equate to flights worth $500-$1,000.
The trick is to use these cards like you would any other card for your everyday spending and pay off the balance in full every month so that you’re not hit with interest charges. Don’t spend money just for points; the concept of saving becomes void.
Learn more about maximizing travel rewards and credit card points.
Clearing Cookies and Browsing Privately
Airline and booking sites use your searches to track you through browser cookies. Some organizations shift prices on the routes you’ve searched multiple times, putting pressure on you to book before they rise. Though the airlines deny they vastly inflate their prices as you search, it seems to many passengers that if we are willing to give them our browser-based searches in exchange for lower fares, a fair deal is getting harder to find.
For safety, delete your browser cookies or search incognito when this happens. It is five seconds that may save you money. Also, see if you can get to the site from a different device or network; prices are known to change.
Direct vs. 3rd Party Booking
Once you find the best deal on a fare comparison site, is it better to buy from that site or go straight to the airline? There are pros and cons to either approach.
Some third-party sites can still provide lower prices and packages that include multiple airlines. But your gamble can backfire if anything goes wrong, as it often does. With flight cancellations, changes or refunds, you’ll be stuck dealing with two companies: the third-party site and the airline — and both will likely shrug and refer you to the other.
Booking directly with airlines can be slightly more expensive than shopping around, but you get better customer service, easier changes and cancellations as well as loyalty program miles that count. For important trips, the peace of mind is worth a few bucks.
Monitoring for Sales and Error Fares
Airlines sometimes create pricing mistakes and advertise flights for a tiny fraction of their value. These “mistake fares” can be ridiculously cheap — a few hundred dollars for transatlantic flights, or the cost of an economy seat in business class. Though airlines typically do accept these kind of tickets, they occasionally void them.
Keeping on top of deal alert services and airline social media accounts is how you can catch these unicorns. When you see a mistake fare, book first and ask later. Use a credit card that offers travel protection in the event of an airline cancellation.
Sales typically occur on or around holidays, during the shoulder season — slower travel times with reduced demand and potential for discounted prices — and when airlines announce new routes. There are deals to have around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but key summer and holiday routes just don’t go on sale.
Considering Total Trip Cost
Total trip price is never the best gauge for choosing the cheapest flight. Sure, a budget airline to an airport two hours from your destination may be cheaper than flying directly to the city center — but factor in car rental, gas or train fare and you’re spending more.
Long layovers can save you money but will also cost you a hotel night if they turn a day trip into a two-day trek. Red-eye flights can be cheaper, but you may require a hotel room to catch up on sleep before your activities begin. Always figure the total price for a trip, not just the airfare.
A Reality Check of Money Saving: Figure out what your time is worth. A $50 savings for a flight with two layovers and seven more hours of traveling might not be worth it if that time has value to you. Occasionally, it’s worth spending a little more to save time when the trade-off is worthwhile.
Last-Minute Flight Strategies
There’s no way to plan months in advance sometimes. Prices are highest for last-minute flights, but deals can still be found. Airlines sometimes reduce price on flights set to depart in a matter of days if seats are going unfilled. Check every day, be flexible about destinations and be prepared to fly standby if you have status with an airline.
Packages that include flights and hotels are sometimes a better last-minute deal than buying just the flight or hotel alone. Airplanes and hotels both would rather discount inventory than leave it empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which day of the week has the lowest priced flights?
Tuesday and Wednesday consistently have the lowest fares for departure days. To book, prices usually drop as airlines match new deals released late Monday on Tuesday afternoons. But these patterns differ with route and season, so be sure to compare a few different days.
How far in advance should I book a plane ticket?
Book domestic flights 1-3 months in advance. International flights require 2-8 month advanced booking. Starting too early and finishing too late are generally more expensive. Create price alerts 3-4 months ahead to monitor fluctuations in fares.
Do airlines really have lower fares on Tuesdays?
That used to be more dependable, but pricing algorithms have gotten a lot more sophisticated. Though some fare sales still take off on Mondays and Tuesdays, prices wax and wane all week. Monitor prices whenever you get a chance — not just on a particular day.
Is it less expensive to book one-way or round-trip?
It varies on the route and airlines. Traditional airlines commonly offer discounts on round-trips while budget carriers usually price one-ways separately. Always compare both options. At times it could be cheaper to pair two airlines for the departure and return legs of your trip.
Should I be booking flights in incognito mode?
Yes, it’s a good precaution. Airlines say they do not and will not use “dynamic pricing” that changes the price depending on viewing history, but some travelers claim to see higher or lower prices when looking for flights using private browsing mode from different devices. It takes seconds to test, and may save you money.
Are budget airlines really cheaper?
Not always. Budget airlines will advertise a low base fare, then charge you for everything else — bags, seat selection, priority boarding and changes. You must find the total price after fees. For trips with checked luggage or seat selection, conventional airlines frequently cost the same or less.
What if the price drops after I book?
Price protection or rebooking options may be available from some airlines within 24 hours of booking. After that, you would have to cancel and rebook, which will tend to cost fees unless you booked a refundable ticket. From time to time, travel credit cards provide price protection perks.
What is the best website for comparing flights?
There is never a perfect site. Google Flights is best for easy fare searching and dates flexibility. Skyscanner surfaces budget carriers others miss. Check multiple comparison sites — prices and results can vary across search platforms. Always try at least three before you book.
Your Savings Flight Begins Now
Successfully comparing flights is not rocket science, but it does take patience and strategy. The travelers who save the most are serial bargain hunters, as they use multiple tools at their disposal to book fares at significant savings: Learn when is the best time of day and best time of week to browse for flights, use fare comparison to your advantage, remain flexible on both dates and airports and know what fees add up beyond those brisk base prices.
Begin to try applying these principles on your next trip. Sign up for price alerts today on a flight you’re thinking about. Get quotes from three different websites. Check nearby airports. And those small steps add up to serious savings over time.
Don’t forget: airlines are hoping you bite on prices driven by impulse, after which sales never materialize. By managing the comparison process you’re turning the tables and making thoughtful choices which help end up keeping more money in your pocket. Now you know how to get there without breaking the bank. Your next adventure is waiting.
For more travel tips and flight deals, visit Call to Flights.
