10 Travel Hacks to Find Cheap Flights

1. Always Keep Yourself Anonymous

When searching for airline tickets, use incognito mode (Chrome) or private mode (Safari). Because flight search engines use tracking cookies to learn your preferences, the tickets you usually look for may cost more the next time you search. Therefore, you’d better get the ticket the first time you see it or search for cheap airfare anonymously.

2. Get to Know Different Cheap Airfare Search Engines

There are several flight search engines that help travelers find cheap flights. Nevertheless, the important question is which platforms are suitable for your needs and how to use them to find the best deals. Below are some flight search engines that I usually use or recommend exploring.

Skyscanner

I see a lot of people using Skyscanner. Yes, it is also one of my favorite choices because of its convenient interface and extensive flight-search options. It compares flights from numerous airlines and booking providers, including some low-cost carriers, depending on the route.

Furthermore, Skyscanner also supports searching for hotels and car rentals. Its flexible-date and destination-search features can be particularly useful if you are planning a budget trip.

Google Flights

If you want to compare flights quickly, you may want to try Google Flights. It offers helpful tools such as flexible-date calendars, price tracking, and comparisons between different flight options.

However, Google Flights doesn’t necessarily display every airline or booking provider, so I recommend checking other flight search engines before making your final decision.

Aviasales

I also recommend checking Aviasales when searching for airfare. It can help travelers compare available flight options and discover deals from different airlines and booking providers.

As with other flight search engines, make sure to compare the final booking price and check the airline’s baggage allowance and other fees before purchasing.

Traveloka

If you are currently in some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines, you may want to check Traveloka. It’s a regional search engine for low-cost flights and hotels, especially in the SEA region, and for domestic flights.

The platform also supports picking up at airports. In addition, Traveloka offers many flight deals and combos for discounted airfare and hotels, from which you can save a lot!

Kiwi.com

Alongside these platforms, I also want to introduce Kiwi.com.

This platform can help you explore flight combinations, including itineraries that combine different airlines. I also like its destination map, which allows travelers to compare airfare to different places based on their departure location.

However, be careful when booking separate flights or self-transfer itineraries. They may offer attractive prices, but you need to consider connection times, baggage handling, immigration requirements, and the risk of missing your next flight.

My advice: Don’t depend on just one flight search engine. Compare several platforms, then check the airline’s own website before booking. The cheapest displayed fare isn’t always the cheapest overall once baggage and other fees are included.

3. Book Continuous Flights Yourself For Money Hack

If you want to book a flight from point A to point C with a transit at point B, consider comparing a single-ticket itinerary with separate bookings from A to B and B to C.

Sometimes, booking separate flights can offer a lower total price. However, this strategy requires careful planning and isn’t always worth the risk.

When booking separate tickets, you may need to collect your checked baggage, check in again, pass through immigration or security, or obtain a transit visa. If your first flight is delayed and you miss the second flight, the airlines may not be responsible for rebooking you.

Therefore, don’t choose a tight transit time simply to save money. Allow a generous connection buffer, consider an overnight stop when necessary, and check the airport’s transfer requirements before booking.

For most travelers, a protected connection on a single ticket is the safer choice, particularly when traveling internationally.

4. Have A Solid Travel Plan

This doesn’t mean that showing your travel plan to a travel agent will automatically get you a discounted airfare. Having a solid travel plan simply helps you prepare for your trip and monitor flight prices in advance.

If your travel dates and destination are already decided, start checking airfare early. You can compare different airlines, explore alternative dates, and set price alerts to monitor changes.

Booking approximately two months before departure may work for some routes, but it isn’t a universal rule. The best booking window depends on your destination, season, airline, and demand.

My advice is to start monitoring prices early and book when you find a suitable fare that fits your budget and travel plans.

5. Have A Flexible Flying Date

Most flight search engines support a price alert feature. Simply activate it for your preferred route, and the platform may notify you when prices change or when it identifies fares that match your search.

Moreover, when you select options such as “whole month” or “flexible dates,” depending on the platform, you can compare prices across different departure and return dates. If your travel dates aren’t fixed, this feature can be especially helpful. Moving your trip by a few days may reveal cheaper airfare and help you save money on your journey.

I always recommend comparing several dates before booking, particularly when traveling during holidays or peak seasons.

6. Lose Yourself From A Rigid Destination

A lot of people enjoy traveling wherever the wind takes them without having a fixed destination. If you are one of them, why not consider flying somewhere with cheaper airfare? This may sound like an unusual budget travel tip, but flexible destinations can open up some interesting opportunities.

Skyscanner offers destination-search features that allow travelers to explore different places based on their departure airport. Kiwi.com also offers destination exploration features that can help you compare different routes and locations.

If you have a flexible travel style, try searching for flights to multiple destinations rather than focusing on just one city. You might discover an affordable destination that you hadn’t considered before.

7. Make the Most of Airline Reward Programs

Many airlines participate in airline alliances or partnerships to offer travelers additional benefits. Therefore, whenever you fly, it’s worth checking whether you can join an airline’s frequent-flyer or rewards program.

For example, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines are both members of Star Alliance. Depending on the airline, fare class, and loyalty program rules, eligible flights may earn miles in a partner airline’s program.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines and Air France are both members of SkyTeam. However, earning miles depends on the specific ticket and program conditions, so always check the rules before booking.

I joined Asia Miles after flying with Cathay Pacific, and I enjoy keeping track of my travel rewards. Depending on the program, eligible miles or points may be used for award flights, upgrades, or other rewards.

If you fly regularly, these programs can be a useful way to get more value from your travel spending. Just remember to check expiration dates, earning rules, and redemption options before collecting miles.

8. Say ‘Hi’ to Budget Airlines

As the name suggests, budget airlines aim to offer lower base fares by charging separately for some services that may be included in traditional airline tickets. For example, you may need to pay extra for checked baggage, seat selection, meals, or other services. Some low-cost airlines also have smaller seats, limited legroom, and stricter baggage rules.

As a result, they can sometimes offer cheaper flights. However, the lowest advertised price isn’t always the best deal once you add the services you need. Nevertheless, a good thing is that there are still airlines that have some snacks for you, such as Nok Air!

Budget airlines usually have strict rules, so you should check them carefully before booking. Pay particular attention to:

• Airport locations, especially when an airline uses a secondary airport.
• Carry-on and checked baggage allowances.
• Check-in deadlines and boarding procedures.
• Whether online check-in is required.
• Additional fees for airport check-in or printing boarding documents.
• Cancellation, change, and refund policies.

Budget airlines worth checking

Instead of relying on an outdated worldwide list, I recommend checking major low-cost airlines that operate in your region and on your specific route.

Before booking, check the airline’s official website to confirm that it currently operates your route. Airline networks and operating status can change, so always verify the latest information.

9. Search for Last-Minute Cheap Flights

Can you find cheap last-minute flights? Sometimes, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend depending on them as your main budget travel strategy. Arriving at an airport and asking for a standby ticket is not a reliable way to get a discounted flight. Availability and eligibility depend on the airline, and you may end up without a suitable flight.

Nowadays, flight search engines make it easier to compare available fares even when your departure date is approaching. With Skyscanner or similar platforms, you can enter your departure and arrival destinations, choose your dates, and compare available flight options. You may also use flexible-date calendars to see whether shifting your departure by a day or two could save money.

If you need to travel at the last minute, compare airline websites and flight search engines, but be prepared for higher prices, particularly on popular routes and during peak seasons.

10. Hidden Techniques to Find Cheap Flights That People Rumor

There are plenty of rumors about finding cheap flights. Some travelers believe that refreshing a search engine repeatedly, booking on a particular weekday, or using a specific browser will automatically reveal cheaper airfare.

In my experience, it’s better to focus on practical techniques that can genuinely help you compare prices.

Compare different search filters

One time, I tried adjusting the search filters more carefully, and the results were surprisingly different. Sometimes, changing the departure time, airline, number of stops, or baggage requirements can reveal more suitable options.

However, make sure you understand what each filter changes. A cheaper result may involve a longer layover, a different airport, or additional fees.

Don’t rely on a specific booking weekday

You may have heard that Tuesday is the best day to buy airline tickets and Friday is the worst. This is a popular airfare booking myth, but there isn’t a universal weekday that guarantees cheaper flights.

Instead of waiting for a particular day, compare prices regularly, use price alerts, and book when you find a fare that fits your budget.

Refreshing your search isn’t a guaranteed discount

Refreshing a flight search may show a different result, but it doesn’t reliably make airfare cheaper. Prices can change because of availability, airline pricing updates, and demand.

My advice is to use flexible dates, compare multiple search engines, explore alternative airports, and check the final price before booking.

Some of these travel hacks may work better for certain routes than others. The key is to compare options carefully and avoid relying on rumors when planning your next budget trip.