Tips to Save Money When Booking Flights

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but the rising costs of airfare often discourage many from exploring the world. With inflation, fluctuating oil prices, and increased demand for travel, plane tickets can sometimes make up the largest portion of a travel budget. For budget-conscious travelers like myself, finding smart ways to save on flights has always been a priority. Over the years, I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that a little planning, flexibility, and knowledge can save hundreds of euros or dollars on airfare.

In this article, I’ll share research-backed strategies and personal tips for saving money when booking flights. From understanding airfare trends to using booking hacks I’ve tested myself, these insights can help you travel more often without breaking the bank.

---

Understanding Airfare Pricing

Airline ticket prices may seem random, but there’s a science behind them. Airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms, which adjust fares based on demand, booking windows, competition, seasonality, and even your browsing behavior.

• Booking window matters: Studies consistently show that booking too early or too late often results in higher fares. The “sweet spot” for most international flights is 2–4 months before departure, while domestic flights can be cheaper around 1–3 months in advance.
• Day of the week: Research indicates that flights are often cheapest when booked on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, though this isn’t a strict rule anymore. What does matter is avoiding peak travel days, such as Fridays and Sundays.
• Flight time: Less desirable times, such as red-eye flights or early morning departures, often cost significantly less.

When I first moved to Ireland, I made the mistake of booking flights home during the Christmas rush at the last minute. Not only did I pay nearly double, but I also struggled to find decent flight times. Since then, I’ve learned that monitoring patterns and being flexible saves money.

---

Be Flexible With Dates and Destinations

Flexibility is one of the most powerful tools for cheaper travel.

1. Flexible Dates: Airfare varies dramatically by day. Flying mid-week, for instance, can be much cheaper than flying on a Friday. Using fare comparison tools that show a full month view often reveals hidden opportunities.
2. Flexible Destinations: Instead of locking into one city, explore flights to nearby airports. For example, instead of flying directly to Shannon in Ireland, I once flew into Dublin for half the price and then took a train—saving nearly €150.
3. Off-Peak Seasons: Traveling during shoulder seasons (spring and autumn in Europe, for example) almost always guarantees lower flight costs compared to peak summer holidays.

---

Use Flight Comparison Tools Wisely

Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak are essential for comparing multiple airlines at once. However, it’s important to know how to use them properly:

• Set price alerts: These tools let you monitor fares and notify you when prices drop.
• Browse in incognito mode: While debated, some travelers (myself included) have noticed that repeated searches can increase prices on certain booking sites. Using private browsing or clearing cookies avoids this issue.
• Check airline websites directly: Sometimes airlines offer exclusive deals not listed on third-party sites.

I once found a great deal to Barcelona on a third-party site, but when I checked the airline’s website directly, the same flight was €40 cheaper and included free seat selection. That experience taught me to always double-check.

---

Consider Budget Airlines—But Know the Trade-offs

Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Southwest can be game-changers for budget travelers. I’ve flown with Ryanair for as little as €9.99 between Ireland and the UK, which would have been impossible with larger carriers.

Tips when booking budget airlines:

• Always read the fine print—luggage fees, seat selection, and even boarding passes can add up.
• Pack light to avoid baggage charges.
• Compare the total cost (with extras) to full-service airlines. Sometimes the difference is smaller than it appears.

---

Book Connecting Flights Yourself

Booking two separate legs with different airlines can be significantly cheaper than one through-ticket. For example, instead of flying directly from Cork to New York, I’ve saved money by booking Cork to London separately and then London to New York with a different airline.

Caution: This method requires extra planning since airlines won’t protect you if you miss a connection. Always leave plenty of buffer time.

---

Use Points, Miles, and Rewards Programs

Frequent flyer programs and credit card rewards can significantly reduce flight costs.

• Join loyalty programs: Even if you don’t fly often, points add up over time.
• Use travel credit cards: Many offer sign-up bonuses that cover flights.
• Redeem smartly: Sometimes using miles for upgrades instead of full tickets provides better value.

I once booked a round-trip flight from Dublin to New York using points I’d accumulated through a travel card—paying just taxes and fees. It felt like flying for free, and it was a direct reward for smart planning.

---

Timing Matters: When to Book Flights

Research from airfare studies shows that timing your booking is crucial:

• Domestic flights: 1–3 months in advance.
• International flights: 2–6 months in advance.
• Holiday periods: Book as early as possible, ideally 6–9 months in advance.

Personally, I’ve noticed that booking around the Tuesday or Wednesday of a week often yields slightly better prices compared to weekends. However, this can vary depending on your route and airline.

---

Sign Up for Airline and Deal Alerts

Many of the best deals are never advertised widely. Instead, airlines release “flash sales” through newsletters or apps. Signing up for these alerts has helped me snag spontaneous trips at a fraction of the cost.

For example, Aer Lingus once offered a €99 return fare to North America through a limited-time sale. Without being subscribed to their emails, I would have missed it entirely.

---

Consider Alternative Airports

Large cities often have multiple airports. For example:

• London: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City.
• New York: JFK, LaGuardia, Newark.

Flying into or out of a secondary airport can be much cheaper. On a trip to London, I opted for Stansted instead of Heathrow and saved nearly €120. Of course, always weigh transport costs from the airport to the city center.

---

Avoid Unnecessary Extras

When booking flights, airlines often push add-ons like:

• Seat selection
• Extra baggage
• Travel insurance
• Priority boarding

Not all of these are necessary. For short flights, I rarely pay for seat selection and often let the system assign me one. Over time, this alone has saved hundreds.

---

Travel Light: Save on Baggage Fees

Packing light is one of the easiest ways to save money. Budget airlines often charge more for checked luggage than the ticket itself.

Tips for avoiding fees:

• Invest in a good cabin-sized backpack or suitcase.
• Roll clothes to maximize space.
• Use packing cubes for organization.

On a weekend trip to Paris, I traveled with just a backpack and avoided €60 in baggage charges. It also made moving around the city easier.

---

Hidden City Ticketing and Other Hacks (With Caution)

Hidden city ticketing means booking a flight with a layover at your intended destination and skipping the final leg. While this can save money, airlines frown upon it and it carries risks (like losing checked baggage).

Another hack is “open-jaw tickets,” where you fly into one city and out of another. This can often reduce costs while allowing more flexibility in your itinerary.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Booking too late: Waiting until the last week often means skyrocketing prices.
2. Ignoring baggage rules: Failing to read policies leads to unexpected charges.
3. Not checking visa or entry requirements: A cheap flight isn’t worth it if you can’t enter the country.
4. Overvaluing convenience: Sometimes a slightly cheaper flight with terrible layovers ends up costing more in food, hotels, and stress.

---

Actionable Tips for Every Traveler

• Use price trackers: Let technology do the monitoring.
• Be flexible: Dates and airports matter more than you think.
• Think long-term: Join loyalty programs even if you travel once or twice a year.
• Avoid peak times: Travel mid-week or during shoulder seasons.
• Book smartly: Check both third-party sites and direct airline websites.

---

Conclusion

Airfare is one of the biggest expenses in travel, but with the right strategies, it doesn’t have to drain your budget. By being flexible, using technology wisely, and planning ahead, you can consistently save hundreds on flights. Personally, I’ve learned that small choices—like packing light, booking early, and signing up for alerts—make a massive difference over time.

Travel should be about the experience, not the stress of overspending on tickets. With these tips, you can redirect your savings toward exploring more destinations, enjoying better meals abroad, or extending your trip.

If you have questions about flight booking strategies or want to share your own experiences, I’d love to hear from you. What’s the best flight deal you’ve ever found?