Booking flights shouldn’t feel like a game of roulette, but let’s be honest—airfare pricing makes zero sense sometimes. One day, a ticket is $200. The next, it’s $500 for the same seat. If you’ve ever felt personally attacked by airline pricing, you’re not alone. The good news? There are ways to work the system and score cheap flights. Here’s how:
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
Ever noticed how flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheaper? That’s because fewer people are flying midweek. The same goes for early morning or red-eye flights—less demand means lower prices. If your schedule allows, play around with different departure and return dates to find the best deal.
2. Use Incognito Mode When Searching
Airlines and travel sites track your searches. Ever looked up a flight and then, an hour later, it’s mysteriously more expensive? That’s because cookies are storing your browsing data and hiking up the price based on demand. Use incognito mode (or clear your cookies) to avoid this sneaky tactic.
3. Consider Alternative Airports
Big-city airports usually mean big prices. Check flights from smaller regional airports nearby. For example, if you’re flying into New York, compare prices between JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. The difference can be hundreds of dollars.
4. Book at the Right Time
Forget what you’ve heard about booking exactly six weeks in advance. The sweet spot varies by season and destination. However, a general rule of thumb is:
- Domestic flights: Book 1-3 months ahead.
- International flights: Book 3-6 months ahead.
- Holiday travel: Book as early as possible (seriously, like yesterday).
5. Sign Up for Fare Alerts
Let technology do the work for you. Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak let you set alerts for specific routes so you’ll get notified when prices drop. Or better yet—let Swinston Travel handle it! We track the best deals for our clients, so you don’t have to obsess over flight prices.
6. Use Airline Miles and Credit Card Points
If you’re not taking advantage of airline rewards programs, you’re missing out. Many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can cover an entire flight! Even if you’re not a frequent traveler, signing up for a free airline loyalty program can lead to discounts, free upgrades, and perks like priority boarding.
7. Be Open to Layovers
Direct flights are convenient, but they’re often more expensive. If you’re willing to add a stop (or two), you can save big. Some layovers even allow for a short exploration of another city—think of it as a mini-adventure.
8. Avoid Peak Travel Seasons
Summer, major holidays, and spring break? Expensive. If you can, travel during shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when demand is lower and flights (and hotels) are much more budget-friendly.
9. Bundle and Save
Booking flights, hotels, and rental cars together often leads to major savings. Swinston Travel specializes in vacation packages, which means we can get you exclusive deals you won’t find online.
10. Let Swinston Travel Find Your Cheap Flights
Sure, you can spend hours scouring the internet for the best price… or you can let the experts handle it. Swinston Travel has been finding incredible travel deals since 1986. Whether you need a one-night hotel stay or a multi-week getaway, we take the stress out of travel planning.
Ready to book your next adventure? Let’s find you the perfect and cheap flights at the best price. Contact Swinston Travel today, and let’s get you in the air!
