I set fare alerts on probably 50 routes at any given time. It’s borderline obsessive, I’ll admit. But I’ve also flown roundtrip to Europe for $380 when everyone else paid $900. So I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.
When to Actually Book
Domestic: 1-3 months ahead usually works well. International: 2-6 months, sometimes longer for peak dates. But honestly the “perfect booking window” advice is overblown. Prices fluctuate constantly and unpredictably.
What matters way more: flexibility. Can you leave Tuesday instead of Friday? That alone saves $200 right there. Willing to connect somewhere? Cheaper still.
The Tools That Actually Work
Google Flights for searching and setting alerts. Skyscanner for the “everywhere” search when you’re flexible on destination. Scott’s Cheap Flights or Going for mistake fares and exceptional deals before they disappear.
Never book through the first site you find. Always check at least 3-4 places. Prices vary wildly for the exact same flight.
Day of Week Matters
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually cheapest to fly. Saturdays often worst. Holiday weekends? Forget about deals entirely, just accept the premium.
Red-eyes and weird connection times save money too. Up to you whether the savings justify the exhaustion and disrupted sleep.
The Nearby Airport Trick
Flying out of a smaller airport 90 minutes away sometimes saves hundreds of dollars. Or flying into one city and out of another – “open jaw” tickets. Worth checking even if it seems inconvenient at first glance.
The Credit Card Game
Sign-up bonuses are real money if you use them right. 60,000 points equals a free flight or two in many programs. But only if you’d use the card anyway and pay it off. Don’t go into debt chasing points.
And use incognito mode when searching flights. Airlines track your browser. Maybe it doesn’t actually change prices, but why risk it.
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