My Experience: How I Managed to Save Money on Booking Flights Last year, I planned a trip from New York to Paris. The first round-trip ticket I saw was over $1,200. Instead of booking right away, I decided to test a few tricks. After a week of research, I finally booked my flight for $700—a massive $500 saving.
That experience taught me something important: anyone can save money on booking flights if they know the right strategies. Below, I’ll share the hacks that worked for me and will work for you too.
💡 Best Hacks to Save Money on Booking Flights
1. Be Flexible With Dates
Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually much cheaper than weekends. When I changed my departure from Friday to Tuesday, my flight dropped by 30%.
👉 Tip: Always compare at least 3–5 days around your ideal travel date.
2. Use Multiple Flight Comparison Tools
Different websites show different fares. For me, Google Flights showed the calendar view, but Skyscanner found the cheapest option.
👉 Tip: Compare on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo before booking to save money on booking flights.
3. Choose Nearby Airports
I wanted Paris, but flying into Brussels was $200 cheaper. A quick train ride got me there in 2 hours.
👉 Tip: Look for airports within a 2–3 hour distance to save more.
4. Set Price Alerts Early
I subscribed to flight alerts and got notified when the price dropped from $1,200 to $700.
👉 Tip: Set alerts 2–3 months in advance to catch sudden deals.
5. Book at the Right Time
Flights are usually cheaper 6–8 weeks before international travel. Booking too late or too early can cost you more.
👉 Tip: Avoid last-minute bookings unless you’re flexible.
6. Search in Incognito Mode
Flight prices often rise when you search repeatedly. I saved $50 by switching to private browsing.
👉 Tip: Always check flights in incognito mode before paying.
7. Mix Airlines and One-Way Tickets
Instead of one round-trip ticket, I booked one-way tickets with two airlines and saved $120.
👉 Tip: Always compare one-way vs round-trip fares.
8. Use Credit Card Points or Airline Miles
Even small reward balances can cut ticket costs. I saved $80 by using leftover credit card points.
👉 Tip: Never forget to check your loyalty points before booking.
9. Watch Out for Hidden Fees
Budget airlines look cheap but charge extra for bags, seats, and meals. Sometimes a full-service airline ends up cheaper.
👉 Tip: Always check baggage policies before booking.
10. Try Regional Pricing With a VPN
When I searched flights using a European VPN server, I noticed fares were slightly lower than U.S. prices.
👉 Tip: Compare flight prices from different country locations.
VPN: Nord VPN, Browsec VPN, ProtonVPN
