Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Set Flexible Travel Dates

One of the best ways to find cheap flights is to keep your travel dates flexible. Though it may seem tempting to lock in plans far in advance, airfare is notoriously unpredictable and leaving some wiggle room can lead to big savings.

I like to search for deals across a wide range of dates, often starting 30-60 days out from when I hope to travel. That gives me a good overview of price fluctuations and patterns. I’ll check pricing every few days as different deals emerge, then pounce when I see an airfare drop.

Being open-minded with dates allowed me to fly roundtrip from New York to Paris for just $280—an absolute steal. The cheap fare was only available on Tuesdays, so I shifted my trip by a few days. For that kind of discount, it was more than worth it.
Other travelers have found similar success with flexible booking. One colleague managed to fly from LA to Tokyo for $350 by traveling mid-week instead of her original weekend plans. A friend visiting family in India shifted her trip by two weeks and saved over $600 on airfare.

Of course, not everyone can rearrange their schedule so freely. But even minor date changes can make a difference. I once saved $50 simply by flying out on a Thursday instead of Friday for a weekend getaway to Chicago.

Expanding your date possibilities also allows you to take advantage of airline sales. Many carriers offer limited-time fare deals around holidays and other peak booking periods. Signing up for airline email alerts can help you find out about promotions right when they launch.

What else is in this post?

1. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Set Flexible Travel Dates
2. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Check Multiple Booking Sites
3. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Consider Nearby Airports
4. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Fly Budget Airlines
5. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Book Connecting Flights
6. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Watch for Sales and Deals
7. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Use Miles and Points
8. Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Consider Package Deals

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Check Multiple Booking Sites

Casting a wide net across booking platforms can help uncover incredible airfare deals that might otherwise be missed. I always check prices on 5-10 sites to get the full picture of pricing options and snag the lowest fare.

Google Flights is one of my go-to starting points. Its easy-to-use interface lets you quickly view dates, routes, and various airlines all in one place. I’ll search Google Flights to get a general sense of price range, then dig deeper on other sites.

Kayak is another excellent search engine. They scan hundreds of travel sites and airlines to aggregate deals in one spot. I’ve found Kayak particularly useful for exploring nearby airports, as you can easily change your origin or destination with one click.

Don’t forget to check airline sites directly too. Signing up for fare alerts can clue you into sales, and prices are sometimes lower buying straight from the source. I always cross-reference airline sites like Delta and American against Google Flights results.

The major online travel agencies (OTAs) are also worth comparing. Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz and others often have exclusive deals that may not pop up in other searches. OTAs can also give you a better picture of full trip pricing when factoring in hotels and activities.

For international flights, Iping Air is a handy resource. This global flight search engine covers over 10,000 routes worldwide, including many budget Asian airlines. I’ve discovered amazing Asia deals through Iping that weren’t on my radar.

Throughout your search, use private or incognito browsing to view accurate pricing. Cookies can drive up airfare costs over time. I always start my flight hunt in a fresh private window.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Consider Nearby Airports

Expanding your airport options can unlock huge savings on airfare. While it may be tempting to fixate on your hometown hub or favorite airport, looking at surrounding cities can expose flight deals you’d otherwise miss.

I once visited friends in Austin and was shocked to find flights into nearby San Antonio were over $100 cheaper. The hour drive was totally worth it for that kind of savings! On a trip to Miami, I opted to fly into Fort Lauderdale instead and saved myself nearly $200.

Checking alternate airports works for both your departure and destination cities. On a recent trip to Portugal, I found flying out of Boston instead of New York slashed $150 off my fare. For a friend’s wedding in Sardinia, flights into Alghero were much cheaper than the main Cagliari airport.

Google Flights makes comparing nearby airports simple with their map tool. Just click on the map icon when entering your origin or destination. This opens an interactive map where you can view prices for various cities within a few hours drive.

I’ve discovered some surprising options this way. Who knew flights to Providence, RI could be $100 cheaper than Boston on certain routes? Expanding your possibilities to smaller regional airports can really pay off. I once stumbled on an unbelievable fare from Albany, NY to LAX - saving over $250 by starting my trip upstate.

The key is knowing your limits for ground transportation. How much time are you willing to spend on the road to or from your final destination? For me, anything under two hours of driving is fair game if the savings are substantial enough. But I know some travelers who will tack on four hours or more behind the wheel in exchange for dirt cheap airfare.

You also need to factor in costs like train, bus or rental car fees. Crunch the numbers to see if alternate airports still make sense after ground transportation expenses. I find flying into farther airports worth it if I’m saving $150 or more per ticket. But do the math for your specific trip.

Finally, watch for deals out of airports within reasonable train or bus distance. I once discovered a crazy low fare out of Trenton, NJ while searching options from Philadelphia and New York City. A quick $20 bus ticket to Trenton allowed me to take advantage of the deal. Expand your search to uncover similar hidden gems.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Fly Budget Airlines

Flying budget airlines used to have a bad rap, but over the years many of these carriers have seriously stepped up their game. While budget airlines do nickel and dime you on extras, the base fares can be astoundingly cheap - often hundreds less than legacy competitors. I’ve flown various low-cost carriers around the world and had stellar experiences for a fraction of the usual cost.

My friend Sean raved about flying Europe on EasyJet for dirt cheap, so I decided to give them a try on a trip to Amsterdam. Roundtrip from London was only $65 - an absolute steal! The plane was modern, seats comfortable, and I easily booked extras like seat selection ahead of time. While packing light is key to avoid fees, overall it was a pleasant flight at an amazing price.

I also used RyanAir to hop around the Mediterranean on a backpacking adventure and was pleasantly surprised. Yes, you have to be strategic with baggage allowance, but I managed to explore Greece, Italy and Croatia for under $250 in flights. A couple years back, I flew WowAir from Boston to Iceland for just $99 each way. The no-frills flight got me there safely, and I used the savings to splurge on excursions.
Spirit Airlines gets a bad rap in the U.S., but I’ve had fine experiences for short domestic hops. I use them for quick trips to Florida, Vegas or Myrtle Beach when I just need to get from A to B cheaply. As long as you read the fine print and pack smartly, it’s an easy way to save big time.

Internationally, AirAsia and Cebu Pacific offer ridiculously cheap fares around Southeast Asia. I spent two months backpacking Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, with flights averaging just $50-75 per leg. That type of low-cost hopping would never be possible on full-service carriers.

While cramped seats and extra fees for bags or meals can be annoying, I find the trade-off worthwhile if it allows me to take more trips on a budget. Saving hundreds of dollars means I can afford to fly more frequently and see extra destinations.

One tip when flying budget airlines: always bring snacks and entertainment! Downloading shows onto your phone or tablet ahead of time helps pass the flight, and bringing your own food avoids having to pay for onboard meals. I try to show up with everything I might need so I'm not nickeled-and-dimed along the way.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Book Connecting Flights

Booking connecting flights used to feel like a hassle, but they can actually unlock huge savings if you don’t mind the extra stopover. I was skeptical at first, but have now become a master at crafting connections that drastically cut costs while letting me maximize travel time.

My friend Marie pioneered this strategy, stitching together multiple budget airline legs to crisscross Europe for dirt cheap. She’d route through random cities like Brussels, Reykjavik, or Istanbul to open up crazy low fares. Inspired, I decided to give it a try on a trip to Asia to visit family.

Starting in Los Angeles, I mapped out an itinerary with stops in Taipei and Manila on the way to Cebu. The journey took a few more hours, but sliced my fare nearly in half compared to the usual LAX direct route. I used the long layovers to wander both cities and adjust to the time zone shift. Plus, I figured saving $450 was well worth an extra stop or two.

Connecting can unlock special deals thanks to fluctuating regional pricing and competitor battles. I’ve discovered incredible fares from New York to London by routing through Dublin or Iceland on Norwegian Air or WOW. The airlines are slugging it out on transatlantic budget routes, so consumers benefit.

For domestic U.S. flights, I’ve found connections pay off when mixing and matching legacy and budget carriers. One time I needed to fly NYC to LA last-minute for a friend’s wedding. Hopping separate Delta and Spirit flights with a layover in Atlanta brought my total airfare under $250 roundtrip. A nonstop would have been double the price.

When booking connections, morning flights and overnight layovers tend to work best in my experience. You don’t want super tight turnarounds that risk missing the second leg if your initial flight is delayed. Leaving yourself 4-6 hours between connections is ideal. I try to line up my multi-city itineraries so I’m arriving at my layover point in the morning or early afternoon.

Overnight layovers are great because you get a free hotel stay, essentially converting your connection into a mini-stopover. Some airlines like Turkish Airlines even offer free accommodation on long layovers. I try to build these in so I can get a free night in an interesting city along the route.

One tip when connecting: always book on a single reservation through one airline if possible. This guarantees you'll be rebooked if any legs are disrupted or cancelled. If you must mix and match airlines, build in ample connection times in case anything goes awry in this more risky scenario. And make sure to pack essentials in your carry-on in case checked bags get lost when switching planes.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Watch for Sales and Deals

Being strategic with timing can help you catch major flight sales for incredible prices. While deals may pop up sporadically year-round, airlines tend to offer the biggest discounts during peak seasons. By planning around these windows, you can often score airfare well below the usual rates.
My friend Marie is a master at sniffing out sales. She managed to fly roundtrip from Miami to Paris for just $320 by pouncing on a French Bee promotion during the fall shoulder season. I was amazed when she snagged $550 roundtrip tickets from LA to Sydney by watching for Qantas' end-of-year sale.

Another pal lucked into $400 fares from Philly to Dublin by booking Aer Lingus during their St. Patrick's Day sale. He said the prices were so low, he almost felt guilty clicking purchase.

Speaking of holidays, booking around U.S. Thanksgiving is a prime time to find deals to Europe and the Caribbean. Many airlines and hotels launch Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, so setting flight alerts around late November pays off. One year I scored $250 roundtrip New York to Barbados – an absolute steal – by watching Caribbean airlines for Black Friday deals.
Domestic U.S. routes also see major bargains around the New Year when folks are looking to use up airline credits and points. I once grabbed a $78 direct flight from Austin to Denver by booking in the first week of January during Southwest's annual fare sale.

Booking in the post-holiday January lull is great for winter getaways. One colleague found insane Presidents' Day weekend deals to ski destinations by planning ahead and watching for sales in early January. Off-peak times like September also offer good pricing as summer winds down.

Signing up for airline and OTA email alerts helps you stay on top of temporary promotions. Enabling price drop notifications from Google Flights and other booking sites ensures you’re the first to know when an amazing deal emerges. Moving quickly is key, as the lowest fares often sell out fast.
Timing flexibility is crucial to catch limited-time sales. While it may not always align perfectly with your initial plans, being willing to shift dates opens more possibilities. If a flight you hoped to book goes on sale a few weeks earlier or later, grab it while you can! Minor date tweaks can lead to hundreds in savings.

Avoiding school holidays and peak seasons like summer also improves the odds of big bargains. My parents manage to fly to Europe each fall by strictly booking September trips when airfare dips after summer. Similarly, January and February provide fleeting windows of lower pricing between winter holidays.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Use Miles and Points

Frequent flyer programs were once shrouded in mystery, requiring insane dedication to understand the complex systems. But over the years, airlines have developed more user-friendly programs and flexible options. Learning to maximize miles and points has become an essential skill for thrifty travelers. With a bit of strategizing, you can unlock nearly free flights and elite perks.
My colleague Marie has turned mile hacking into an art form. She treats miles like a currency, earning them through various credit cards and bonus offers. Marie times card sign-up bonuses to align with big trips, racking up 100,000+ points in a few months. She’s also diligent about choosing the right card for each purchase, picking ones that offer extra miles on flights, groceries, or dining out.

Marie admits it took trial and error to find the ideal cards and learn transfer partners. But now she flies business and first class to Asia using points alone, putting the systems to work for her. Marie cautions not to get sucked into the points just for points sake though. Have a dream trip in mind, then backwards plan how to earn enough miles.
Other savvy travelers use points for domestic trips and cash fares for international. My friend Sean prioritizes Southwest points for quick weekend getaways around the U.S. He'll never pay cash for those short hops again thanks to the Southwest Companion Pass. But Sean books most of his Europe trips through Google Flights, watching for deals that beat what miles would offer.
No matter your strategy, always crunch the numbers before using points. Some programs have improved value, but not all miles are created equal. Be sure you’re getting at least 1-1.5 cents per point before transferring them towards a booking. Over-valuing points is an easy trap.

Hunting for Cheap Flights? How to Sniff Out the Best Deals to Any Destination - Consider Package Deals

My globetrotting friend Marie first opened my eyes to the beauty of travel packages. She’s a veteran hacker when it comes to piecing together separate flight and hotel bookings. But Marie shared that she’s recently changed tactics and now swears by package deals for certain destinations. Intrigued, I decided to test the waters on an upcoming trip to check if she was onto something.

Last fall I was planning a weeklong birthday getaway to Cancun. Typically I’d book my flight and resort separately to maximize flexibility. But just for kicks, I decided to price out packages on CheapCaribbean, Expedia, and Apple Vacations. To my surprise, the bundles were $300+ less than booking individually! By packaging my roundtrip flight and all-inclusive stay, I was saving a ton. Sold!

Since that first successful experiment, I’ve become a package convert for many leisure trips. I find they make a lot of sense for common vacation hotspots like Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. These mass tourist destinations are well served by major package providers, leading to serious competition and discounts.

I asked my globetrotting guru Marie what made her shift strategies. She explained that as airfare volatility has increased, packages have become a smart safeguard. By bundling both elements, you lock in one set price upfront. No worrying about the airline randomly jacking up fares before departure. Plus, package perks like free cancellation, discounted excursions, and resort credits provide nice bonuses.

Marie did caution that the lack of flexibility can be a drawback for some travelers’ styles. You’re locked into set hotels and flights with no wiggle room. But she finds the overall savings worth it for trips where her dates and destination are fixed.
Another friend tried out packages for the first time on a trip to Maui and was thrilled with the value. He’d assumed DIY booking would be cheaper but discovered a West Coast departure bundle on Expedia that undercut other options by $250 per ticket. With the leftover cash, they treated themselves to a fancy resort dinner - a sweet bonus enabled by the package perks!

I asked my travel social media followers for their thoughts and was flooded with enthusiastic package feedback. One mentioned scoring an incredible Las Vegas deal including roundtrip flights, five nights at the Bellagio, show tickets, and food credits, all for just $750 per person. Another reminisced about an amazing guided Costa Rica itinerary she’d have never pieced together herself.