1. Book on the Right Day (It's Not Tuesday)
The old advice to book on Tuesday is outdated. Airlines now use dynamic pricing, so sales launch randomly. Instead, focus on the time of day: book between 6am and 9am on weekdays when fewer people are shopping. My own tests show saving $30-$50 on average. Also, set a Google Flights alert for your route and wait for the price to drop. In 2024, I saved $220 on a round-trip to London by waiting three weeks after setting an alert.
2. Use the 24-Hour Rule and Hidden City Ticketing
Most US airlines allow you to cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund. Use this to lock in a good price while you check other options. Hidden city ticketing (booking a flight with a layover and getting off at the layover) can save 20-30%, but only do it with a carry-on and no checked bags. Skiplagged is the go-to tool. Just be aware airlines may penalize frequent flyers.
3. Fly on Off-Peak Days and Seasons
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly domestically. For international, aim for mid-week departures. Avoid peak seasons: summer, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Shoulder season (late April to early June, September to early November) offers 30-50% lower fares. I flew to Rome in October for $480 round-trip from NYC, compared to $1,200 in July.
4. Leverage Error Fares and Mistake Fares
Airlines occasionally publish mistake fares—prices that are drastically lower due to glitches. These can be $200 round-trip to Europe or $50 one-way across the US. Follow @TheFlightDeal and @SecretFlying on Twitter, or subscribe to Scott's Cheap Flights (now Going) for alerts. Act fast: they disappear within hours. In 2024, I booked a $350 round-trip to Tokyo from LAX thanks to an error fare.
5. Use Incognito Mode and Clear Cookies
Airlines and OTAs track your searches and may raise prices if you repeatedly look at the same route. Always search in incognito mode or clear your cookies. Better yet, use a VPN to change your location—sometimes prices vary by country. I've seen $100 differences between US and Canadian sites for the same flight. Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner let you set country-specific searches.
6. Consider Nearby Airports and Split Ticketing
Flying into a secondary airport can save big. For example, flying into Baltimore (BWI) instead of Washington Dulles (IAD) saved me $150 on a recent trip. Also, try split ticketing: book two separate one-way tickets on different airlines. This can be cheaper than a round-trip, but you risk missing a connection if the first flight is delayed. Only do this with a long layover (4+ hours).
7. Pay with Points and Miles (Even if You're Not a Frequent Flyer)
You don't need to fly often to earn miles. Credit card sign-up bonuses can get you a free flight. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months—worth $750 in travel. Use points for expensive flights (like last-minute or peak season) to get the most value. I booked a $1,200 round-trip to Hawaii for 25,000 points + $11 in taxes. Check our credit card comparison guide for the best current offers.