How to Book Cheap Flights? (Part I)

We get tons of questions daily about how to find cheap flights. While I would love to tell you we have found some mystery code to unlock cheap flights, that is not the case. Unfortunately, because there is not enough time in the day to help answer everyone’s questions, we wrote this complete guide to tell you all our tips and answers to some of the most common questions. Here is how we find the cheapest flights in the world to almost anywhere in the world:

1. Be Flexible

This is the way most people approach getting a flight: Instead, if getting cheap flights are your priority, flip that approach and try this:
1. Pick where they want to go 1. See what cheap flights are available via Google Flights, Hopper, Cheapoair
2. Pick their dates 2. Choose one of those destinations with cheap flights that appeal to you
3. See what prices are available 3. Book your flight to one of those destinations with the cheap flights

Typically this results in higher prices

Be flexible with where and when to go. If you’ve picked out your destination, picked out your dates, and don’t have flexibility, 95% of what you can do to bring down the cost of airfare is already out of the window. Flexibility is king. Plus, as we will discuss below, once you get to Europe or Asia or wherever, it’s really a quick jump on a budget flight to get to your desired destination.

SIDENOTE: Be sure to search more than one date (Google calendar allows you to look at various dates to see which days are the cheapest to travel). Often times by shifting the dates to even a day later can cut the price in half.

2. Cross the ocean as cheaply as possible

If your goal is to get the cheapest flight, focus on just that. Focus on getting across the ocean as cheaply as possible! Even if it is not from you home airport. This can sometimes save you hundreds. This also can provide an opportunity for you to possibly visit another awesome location.

For example: One of the best deals I have found to date is my flight from George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas to Phuket, Thailand for a Spring Break trip for $774.

While my friends paid $1500 on average for their flight that had a 3 hour lay over in China, I was able to pay $774 for a flight that had a 12 hour lay over in Beijing, China. During these 12 hours, not only did I get to get out the airport and smell the fresh (but not so fresh, if your familiar with China) air, but I also enjoyed the whole day venturing through China for $800 less than my friends.

Once I got into Phuket, Thailand, I was able to fly to Bangkok, Thailand for a few days for just under $80 roundtrip. Layovers can be a drag but they can also help you to explore new cities if you use the most out of your time.

3. Avoid peak travel months

In North America and Europe, the cheapest time of year to fly is usually:

January through mid-May
September through early December

The most expensive time to fly is usually:

Peak summer: mid-June through mid-august
Christmas
New Year’s Eve

It will also vary a bit by the specific destination, especially around popular festivals. Fares to Trinidad for Carnival or to California for Coachella aren’t cheap.

4. Know the best time to book cheap flights

We typically recommend booking when you see a great fare 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2-8 months in advance for international flights.

If your booking for peak summer, add a month or two onto these recommendations as everyone is planning summer vacations. If planning in a low season, it generally will get cheaper the closer to your departure date.

6 weeks before your departure date is generally the ideal time to think about booking your flights.

Prices tend to jump in the last month or two before departure, so you don’t want to cut it too close and miss your window!

On the other hand if you book too early and settle for a not-great fare, you’re missing out on potential future sales. However, of course if your looking to travel around major holidays like July 4th or Christmas, the earlier the better.

CHEAT CODE: All American based airlines are required by law to offer you a 24 refund policy. So if you find a flight that you are unsure of GO AHEAD and book it. Better safe than sorry. Sleep on it, if you change your mind, you have 24 hours to request a refund.