Airfare pricing is incredibly complex, with algorithms changing fares minute by minute. This puts the average traveler at a significant disadvantage, often resulting in overpaying for flights. According to a recent IATA report, global airfares have increased by an average of 25% since 2022, making it more crucial than ever to find ways to save.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to find the lowest airfare prices and navigate the complex world of airfares to find the cheapest flights to anywhere in the world. By implementing these strategies, travelers may save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their flights.
1. Maximize Savings with Flexible Travel Dates and Destinations
Flexibility is key. Once you’re flexible with where and when to go, you’ve unlocked 95% of the potential savings on airfare. This approach is the foundation of how to find cheap flights.
Most travelers follow a conventional approach when booking flights: they first choose their destination, then select their travel dates, and finally check the available prices. However, this method often leads to higher fares. If your primary goal is to secure a cheap plane ticket, it’s beneficial to reverse this process.
Start by exploring prices to various destinations worldwide, allowing you to discover unexpected bargains. Once you’ve identified affordable options, consider which of these budget-friendly locations appeal to you most. Finally, select travel dates that align with the cheapest fares for your chosen destination.
Even shifting your dates by a day or changing from a six-day trip to seven days can cut the price in half. Use Google Flights‘ calendar view to easily spot the cheapest days to fly. This flexibility is crucial when learning how to find the cheapest flights.
2. Use the best flight search sites and flight booking apps
In the digital age, numerous apps can help you track flight prices and snag the best deals. Our top recommended tools for searching flights are:
- Google Flights: Excellent for its user-friendly interface and powerful search tools
- Priceline: Great for package deals and opaque bookings
- Momondo: Known for finding slightly lower prices and its “Flight Insight” feature
- OneAir: An AI-powered, all-in-one travel app that provides exceptional value with access to unpublished private deals
These platforms are essential in your quest to compare flight prices effectively. While these apps are powerful tools, they should be used in conjunction with your own research and flexibility. Hopper could predict a price drop in the next month, while Google Flights shows a steady price, so using a combination can significantly increase your chances of scoring a great deal.
3. Leverage the Google Flights Explore Map as your cheap flight finder
The Google Flights Explore Map is a powerful tool for flexible travelers. It allows you to:
- Input up to seven departure and arrival airports
- Leave the destination open to see all options
- Search on select dates or browse trips in the next six months
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature:
- Go to Google Flights and click on the “Explore” tab
- Enter your departure airport in the “Where from?” field
- Leave the destination blank or select a broad region (e.g., Europe, Asia)
- Choose your preferred dates or select “Flexible dates”
- Set any additional filters like the number of stops, price range, or airlines
- Browse the map to see prices for various destinations
- Click on a destination to see more details and booking options
This feature is particularly useful when you’re not set on a specific destination and want to discover the best flight deals available from your home airport.
4. Unlock Savings with Strategic Routing
Sometimes, booking two separate itineraries is cheaper than one direct flight. For example, if you’re flying from the United States to Europe, booking a flight to a major hub like London or Paris might be cheaper. From there, use a budget airline for onward travel within Europe. This “Greek Islands trick” can lead to substantial savings and is a key strategy in how to find the lowest airfare prices.
5. Book your travels on the cheapest days to fly
In general, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to travel due to lower demand from business travelers. In contrast, Friday and Sunday are usually the most expensive. However, this can vary depending on the route and time of year. Always check a range of dates and compare prices across different days to find the best deal for your specific route.
6. Book one ticket at a time for group travel
Contrary to popular belief, booking flights individually when traveling in a group can often lead to savings. Airlines typically have a limited number of seats available at each price point. When booking for a group, if there aren’t enough seats at the lowest price, everyone in the group may be bumped to a higher fare class.
Here’s how to book individual tickets:
- Use flight search engines to look for one ticket at a time, noting the prices for each ticket, and then compare the total cost with the group booking price.
- Secure the lowest-priced tickets first and continue booking until all members of your group have tickets. If some tickets are significantly more expensive, consider splitting the group across different flights or airlines. Weigh the cost savings against the inconvenience of not traveling together.
Some airlines offer a multi-passenger search feature that allows you to see individual seat prices and find cheap flights when searching for multiple tickets.
7. Avoid peak travel seasons
Understanding peak travel periods is crucial when determining how to find the best flight deals. Here’s a comprehensive look at when flights tend to be priciest:
Holiday seasons:
- Christmas and New Year (December 20 – January 3)
- Thanksgiving (Wednesday before to Sunday after in the U.S.)
- Easter (the week before and after)
- Summer holidays (mid-June to mid-August in the Northern Hemisphere)
Other peak periods:
- Spring Break (varies by region, typically March-April)
- Golden Week in Japan and China (late April to early May)
- Major events (e.g., Olympics, World Cup)
- School holidays (vary by country/region)
These periods are expensive due to high demand from leisure travelers and limited seat availability. Airlines know people are willing to pay more during these times. To snag cheap flights during these periods, consider traveling a few days before or after the peak time, visiting less popular destinations, or using multi-city search options to find cheaper combinations.
8. Book within the recommended timeframe
While there’s no guaranteed “best time” to book flights, research suggests that for domestic flights, booking 1 to 3 months in advance often yields the best prices. For international flights, booking 2 to 8 months ahead is typically recommended. Add a couple of months to these windows for peak travel periods.
Factors influencing optimal booking time include route popularity, seasonal demand, major events at the destination, and airline competition on the route. Look for “shoulder season” travel dates to balance good weather with lower prices.
9. Set instant price alerts
No single website always has the best deals. However, cross-referencing prices across multiple platforms can ensure you’re getting the best deal. Use sites like OneAir or Google Flights to set airfare alerts for specific routes and dates. This proactive approach can help you catch price drops and is a key technique in how to find the cheapest flights.
For example, while monitoring flights from New York to Paris for a July trip, you might see prices steady at around $900 six months in advance. However, if prices drop to $700 during a sale three months before the trip, booking during this window could save you $200 per ticket.
10. Consider budget airlines
Budget airlines can offer significant savings, especially for short-haul flights, but it’s important to understand their model and potential hidden costs. While they provide dramatically lower base fares and often fly to less crowded secondary airports, they may have drawbacks such as limited legroom, fewer amenities, and strict baggage policies.
When booking with a budget airline, always account for additional fees for baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and in-flight services. Popular budget carriers include Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe, AirAsia in Asia, and Spirit and Frontier in North America.
For flexible travelers who can pack light and prioritize savings over comfort, budget airlines can be an excellent way to stretch your travel budget and explore more destinations.
11. Check if it's cheaper to pay in a foreign currency
Sometimes, booking on a foreign version of an airline’s website in the local currency can result in savings. Just make sure to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. This trick can be particularly effective for international flights and is an advanced strategy for those looking to find the lowest airfare prices.
Here’s how to pay in foreign currency:
- Use a VPN to appear as if you’re browsing from different countries.
- Check airline websites in different languages/countries.
- Select your flight on the airline’s website.
- Before payment, change the country/language at the bottom of the page.
- Compare the converted price with the original.
- If cheaper, book using the foreign currency option.
For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be priced at $1,000 on the U.S. site. By switching to the Japanese version of the airline’s website, you could find the same flight for ¥ $95,000, which converts to $870, saving $130 or 13%.
12. Act fast on great deals
Great fares, especially mistake fares, can disappear quickly. If you find an exceptionally good deal, book it as soon as possible. This quick action is often necessary when using a cheap flight finder or deal alert service. Book directly with the airline if possible and be prepared for potential cancellations.
Don’t overlook the power of airline newsletters and social media. Airlines often reward their loyal followers with exclusive deals. Sign up for newsletters from airlines serving your frequent routes, follow them on social media platforms, and enable notifications to catch time-sensitive deals before they disappear.
13. Weigh the Value of Flexible Booking Options
Flexible booking options typically include refundable tickets, free date changes, travel, insurance, and “Flex” fares offered by airlines. These options provide several benefits, such as peace of mind, the ability to change plans without penalties, protection against unexpected events, and the potential for refunds instead of airline credits.
When considering flexible options, evaluate the following factors:
- Price difference between flexible and non-flexible fares
- Likelihood of needing to change your plans
- Length of your trip
- How far in advance you’re booking
- Destination-specific considerations (e.g., potential visa changes for international trips)
To determine if flexible options are worth it, start by calculating the “insurance premium”—the difference between the non-flexible and flexible fare. Next, assess your personal risk tolerance and consider how comfortable you are with potentially losing the fare if your plans change. Lastly, check airline policies for change options and explore alternatives like travel insurance or credit card protections for cost-effective benefits.
14. Book directly with airlines to find “Hidden Fares”
Several airlines offer hidden or unpublished deals that can lead to significant savings. For instance, Southwest Airlines fares are sometimes not displayed on popular search engines. They frequently offer competitive prices, particularly for domestic U.S. flights. To find these deals, visit Southwest’s website directly, enroll in their “Click ‘N Save” email alerts, and watch out for their frequent flash sales.
For instance, a traveler found a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles for $300 on major search engines. By checking Southwest’s website directly, they discovered a fare for $200, saving 33%.
15. Consider membership-based services
For frequent travelers or those seeking consistent access to the best flight deals, consider using a service like OneAir. Its notable features include:
- Access to unpublished private deals from over 700 global airlines
- Exclusive rates for more than 1 million top-rated hotel brands worldwide
- Immediate access to exclusive rates without needing different loyalty status levels
- AI-powered technology that continuously scans for the lowest prices
- Instant notifications when prices drop on your desired routes
OneAir’s mission is to revolutionize the flight and hotel industry, ensuring that travelers pay the lowest available price for their flight and hotel reservations. This aligns perfectly with the goal of finding the lowest airfare prices.
Takeaway
Finding cheap flights requires a combination of flexibility, strategy, and quick action. By following these insider tips and mastering various flight booking apps and search tools, you’ll be well-equipped to find the cheapest flights and make your travel dreams a reality in 2024 and beyond. Remember, the best way to book flights often involves a mix of these strategies, so don’t hesitate to experiment and discover what works best for your travel needs.
Ready to secure amazing flight deals? Sign up for FREE on OneAir today and get instant access to exclusive, unpublished fares from hundreds of airlines worldwide. Don’t let high airfare prices hold you back from your dream destinations. Join OneAir now and start saving on your next adventure.
