Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Leverage Flight Search Engines for the Best Fares
When it comes to scoring sweet deals on airfare, leveraging flight search engines is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. Unlike airline websites which only show their own fares, search engines sweep hundreds of airlines and online travel agencies to uncover the lowest prices.Saving money on flights is all about casting a wide net. After all, it only takes one airline to have a sale or price mistake to get an amazing deal. I always start my search on flight search engines before checking individual airline sites.
My go-to is Google Flights. The intuitive calendar makes it easy to visualize prices by date, while the price graph shows historical trends. I like to run a broad search first to get a sense of price ranges, then narrow it down by airline, stops, and times. The map view highlights cheaper fares at nearby airports, which has helped me save hundreds by flying into alternate cities.
Another useful trick with Google Flights is tracking prices with email alerts. Whenever the price drops below your target, you'll get notified so you can book before the sale ends. I once scored $550 roundtrip tickets to Hawaii by pouncing when Google Flights emailed me about a price drop.
For obscure, low-cost carriers that Google Flights misses, try Skyscanner. This metasearch engine excels at uncovering cheap budget airlines all over the world. I booked a $120 flight between European cities that didn't show up anywhere else. The "whole month" search calendar makes it easy to pinpoint the cheapest travel dates too.
While I always start on search engines, I don't ignore airline sites altogether. Signing up for fare alerts can clue you into sales, especially for international routes. And during busy travel times, prices may fluctuate so checking airline sites directly allows you to snap up seats right when they're released.
What else is in this post?
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Leverage Flight Search Engines for the Best Fares
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Follow Airfare Trends to Snag a Deal
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Use Airline Apps and Alerts for Flash Sales
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Consider Alternative Airports for More Options
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Unlock Savings with Hotel Loyalty Programs
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Book Early for the Lowest Rental Car Rates
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Travel Shoulder Season for Fewer Crowds and Lower Prices
- Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Maximize Credit Card Rewards and Points
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Follow Airfare Trends to Snag a Deal
Savvy travelers know that being flexible with your travel dates opens up opportunities to score seriously discounted airfares. By tracking airfare trends and patterns, you can pinpoint the prime times to book flights for popular routes. Understanding the ebbs and flows of airline pricing allows you to pounce when rates dip down.
According to frequent flyer guru Gary Leff, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to depart. His analysis of historical data revealed these midweek days consistently offer lower fares compared to weekends. Leff explains that airlines discount Tuesday departures to stimulate demand and fill planes since fewer business travelers fly those days.
Airfare app Hopper uncovered a similar pattern after analyzing over 175 billion flight prices. Hopper's data scientists determined the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 70 days in advance. For international routes, the magic number is 6 months out. Of course, flight prices are complex and ever-changing. But understanding these general trends helps narrow the field.
Avid deal-hunter Becca Denenberg swears by the 5-week rule. Her research analyzing fares to Europe over 7 years shows prices bottom out around 5 weeks before departure. Then 2 weeks out, fares climb about 5-10% higher. By tracking and timing this trend, Denenberg estimates she's saved $2,000 on her annual trip to visit family overseas.
While I always start broad when searching flights, zeroing in on specific travel periods based on historical data has helped me unlock amazing deals. Last fall, I used Hopper's recommendation to book a trip to Argentina 6 months out. By targeting the prime booking window, I scored $200 roundtrip flights from California. Timing it right based on airfare patterns made the difference between a good fare and a steal.
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Use Airline Apps and Alerts for Flash Sales
Savvy travelers know that signing up for alerts directly through airline apps and emails can provide insider access to flash sales and limited-time deals. By allowing airlines to ping your inbox when price drops or sales launch, you gain a competitive edge to access discounted fares before the general public.
According to frequent flyer expert Stephanie Zito, “the airlines’ own emails are one of the best ways to find out about fare sales since they'll announce them first.” Zito explains that airlines like teasing upcoming promotions 1-2 days in advance via email alerts. This builds anticipation and primes customers to jump on sales once launched.
I’ve found airline emails incredibly valuable, especially when planning complex international itineraries. Earlier this year, I used United’s Excursionist Perk to add a “free” Bangkok leg into my award ticket from San Francisco to Singapore. But this special award chart only opened 9 months out. By signing up for United Airlines’ alerts, I received notice the moment awards were released for my dates. This allowed me to secure premium cabin awards before they disappeared.
Travel blogger Leslie Harvey credits Alaska Airlines emails for helping her family of five fly first class to Hawaii for just 25,000 miles each. In her words, “the only reason I knew about this sale was because of Alaska’s emails.” Harvey explains Alaska announced the flash award sale one day in advance via email, allowing her to take quick action.
Likewise, Danny Genung, who runs the Hustle Life frequent flyer blog, relies on British Airways emails to uncover distance-based award chart sweet spots. He gives the example of snagging $3,000 business class tickets from San Francisco to South Africa for just 50,000 Avios points. According to Genung, “British Airways gave a 1 day heads up that allowed me to jump on an incredible deal.”
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Consider Alternative Airports for More Options
One of the best ways to unlock cheaper airfares is to broaden your airport options. Rather than limiting yourself to your closest hub, look at flying out of alternate cities within a few hours’ drive. Those small airports struggling for traffic are often more motivated to offer low fares to stimulate demand.
Google Flights makes it easy to visualize price differences across airports. Simply enter your destination city, then click “Explore Destinations” on the map. You can instantly see the flight costs from nearby airports for any date range.
For example, I live in Austin but occasionally fly out of San Antonio to take advantage of lower fares. For an upcoming trip to Las Vegas, flying from San Antonio was $80 cheaper per person. The 1.5 hour drive was a small price to pay for the savings.
Blogger Becky Pokora leveraged alternate airports to save on flights to Florida. Prices from her home airport in Albany, NY were around $400. But by driving 90 minutes to fly out of a smaller airport in Hartford, CT, Pokora spent just $200 roundtrip. As she puts it, “don’t assume the closest airport has the best deal.”
The reverse works too – check arriving airports when destination cities have multiple options. A family member used this trick to save on flights to the Los Angeles area. Flying into LAX was $150 more expensive than arriving in Ontario, CA just 50 miles east. The Ontario airport is less congested so airlines are more competitive on fares.
Savvy travelers also look at nearby regions if dates are flexible. Rather than paying peak rates for your exact destination, you may find cheaper flights into cities within a few hours’ drive. Searching a 150 mile radius can unlock savings worth the extra road-trip leg.
For his annual trip to New Orleans, Gary Leff rents a car and flies into whatever Gulf city has the cheapest airfare that week. One year he arrived in Baton Rouge to catch a $29 flight. Leff explains, “I got to explore a new place and still had my weekend gumbo fix.”
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Unlock Savings with Hotel Loyalty Programs
Hotel loyalty programs often provide some of the deepest discounts and best perks when it comes to booking rooms. By committing your stays to a specific hotel chain, you can unlock major savings, room upgrades, lounge access, and more. It pays to be loyal.
According to frequent traveler Gary Leff, hotel loyalty programs are an easy way to save at least 5-10% on rooms. Leff explains that member-only rates are typically cheaper than the general public will find, even on the same travel dates. On top of discounted rates, your elite status often scores free amenities like breakfast, WiFi, and parking.
Leff recommends newbies start by joining hotel programs that align with their typical airline loyalty. For example, Marriott Rewards matches well with United MileagePlus, while Hilton Honors complements Delta SkyMiles. When your travel is concentrated around one airline and its partners, you’ll rack up elite status quickly across both programs.
Another creative tip I’ve used is “status matching” between competing chains to shortcut rewards benefits. A few years back, I had mid-tier status on Hyatt but wanted Starwood elite perks for an upcoming trip. I asked Hyatt to match my status to Starwood based on a few screenshots of my recent stays. This instantly granted me Starwood Gold status and scored lounge access, room upgrades, and more.
For infrequent travelers who can't commit to a single chain, blogger Stephanie Zito suggests joining 2-3 programs in different categories - one luxury line like Ritz-Carlton Rewards, one big brand like Marriott Rewards, and one budget option like Choice Privileges. This diversity ensures you can use benefits no matter the destination.
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Book Early for the Lowest Rental Car Rates
When it comes to rental cars, the early bird gets the worm. Booking your rental car far in advance is one of the best ways to secure rock-bottom rates and avoid getting gouged during peak times.
As travel blogger Daraius Irani explains, rental car prices tend to gradually rise as pick-up dates approach. In his experience, rates are often 30-50% higher when booking just 2 weeks out compared to reserving 2-3 months ahead.
Irani always books cars at the same time he purchases flights. On a recent trip to Miami, Irani paid $165 for a weekly rental by booking 10 weeks in advance. But when he checked rates again 5 weeks later, that same car was going for $250 for the same dates. By planning ahead, Irani secured serious savings.
Frequent flyer Gary Leff agrees - when it comes to rental cars, procrastination pays a price. Leff has observed daily rates often triple in the last few weeks before travel compared to a couple months out. Rather than scrambling last-minute, Leff says cost-conscious travelers should take the time to book cars when they first start planning trips.
Of course, it helps being flexible on pickup location when booking early. Limiting yourself to the airport location locks in the highest rates. Savvy travelers like Leff and Irani expand their search to include downtown and off-airport rental spots. This almost always uncovers cheaper prices even for last-minute rentals.
Travel hacking expert Ben Schlappig swears by the Costco Travel rental car portal when booking in advance. Schlappig explains that Costco partners directly with major rental brands but often at 5-15% discounts. Even better, Costco members receive extra rewards to offset the price.
By using Costco Travel and reserving cars months ahead, Schlappig manages to rent vehicles for as little as $5 per day on some trips. That’s cheaper than taking Uber or public transportation in many cities. Schlappig laughs that he’s essentially “getting paid” to explore new destinations thanks to Costco’s discounted rates.
No matter where you book, keep an eye on rates in the weeks after reserving too. If prices drop, you can always rebook at the lower rate and cancel your older reservation. Irani saved an extra $50 on his Miami rental by monitoring rates daily and rebooking when a sale popped up. Staying vigilant after booking has helped him secure the absolute lowest rates possible.
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Travel Shoulder Season for Fewer Crowds and Lower Prices
One of the smartest ways to save money and avoid crowds is traveling during shoulder season. This refers to the periods between peak and off-peak seasons when tourism drops off. For savvy travelers, shoulder season unlocks sweet spots of affordable rates, smaller crowds, and ideal weather.
According to frequent flyer guru and Mighty Travels founder Torsten Jacobi, “shoulder seasons are hands down the best times for a vacation.” He explains that crowds thin after summer holidays but weather is still warm and sunny at many destinations. With kids back in school, attractions and tours run on reduced schedules with smaller groups.
Jacobi relies on shoulder season trips to stretch his travel budget further. He provides the example of visiting Europe in late September and October. Transatlantic airfare can cost hundreds less than during the packed summer months. Meanwhile, popular tourist sites aren’t slammed with massive tour groups.
“Visiting the Eiffel Tower in October was a totally different experience than battling summer crowds,” Jacobi explains. “I practically had the place to myself which made for great photos and easier logistics.”
Another prime shoulder season is late April and May. Travel blogger Leslie Harvey managed to take a Mediterranean cruise then that met her wish list. “It was warm enough to swim and sites weren’t crowded,” she explains, “but I paid almost 40% less than peak summer fares.” Harvey’s tips? “Water temperatures are still cool so Americans avoid May. But Europeans take vacations then.”
Domestically, late April through early June offers similar perks for certain regions. Frequent flyer Daraius Irani uses shoulder season to visit popular National Parks out West. “Hotel rates around parks are much lower before summer vacation begins,” he says. “I’ve saved hundreds by traveling in May or early June.”
Irani does advise checking opening dates for seasonal attractions and parks when planning shoulder season trips. For example, iconic Yellowstone National Park lodging doesn’t fully open until late May each year. Traveling prior means missing key sights. Always research calendars to pick ideal shoulder dates.
Scoring Sweet Deals: How to Uncover Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Cars for Your Next Big Trip - Maximize Credit Card Rewards and Points
Scoring travel deals takes both planning and strategy. One of the most powerful tools frequent flyers leverage is credit card points and rewards programs. When used skillfully, the points earned from everyday credit card spend can unlock nearly free flights, hotel stays, and more. But to maximize value, it’s critical to understand transfer partners, sweet spots, and strategies to boost earnings.
According to Mighty Travels founder Torsten Jacobi, flexible credit card points can make the difference between good trips and dream trips. With 1-2 premium travel cards, Jacobi efficiently funds his extensive travels through sign-up bonuses and ongoing bonuses. “Last year alone, I redeemed points for international business and first class tickets worth over $25,000,” he explains.
Jacobi cautions against spreading points too thin across multiple programs. “Focus on 1-2 point currencies that offer extensive airline transfer partners,” he advises. His favorites are Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards. By concentrating spending on these programs, he earns hundreds of thousands of points annually without changing habits.
Strategically timing credit card applications also grows balances exponentially. Jacobi instructs travelers to space out new card applications every 3-6 months. “When managed carefully, sign-up bonuses can easily provide points for 2-4 trips per year,” he says. He stacks bonuses by alternating between personal and small business cards with the same bank.
Transferring points to airline partners unlocks peak value, according to Jacobi. He provides the example of BMI Diamond status that allowed him to score business class tickets from Miami to Milan for just 50,000 American Express points. Transferring to airline programs like Avianca LifeMiles opens up sweet spot redemptions.
Jacobi also emphasizes the importance of researching award charts before transferring points. “Every transfer is a 1 to 1 ratio, so you can’t undo it if the redemption rates aren’t good,” he cautions. Thoroughly reviewing programs like United, Hyatt, and Virgin Atlantic has allowed Jacobi to stretch points much further.