What if prices drop after I book?

Airlines rarely offer price protection, and change fees usually exceed any savings. Southwest and Alaska sometimes offer credits for price drops. For everyone else, accept that you got a fair price and move on.

Should I use incognito mode?

It doesn't hurt, but dynamic pricing based on your searches is largely a myth. Airlines mostly adjust prices based on demand and time, not your browsing history.

How do I know if a price is good?

Google Flights shows price history and whether current prices are high, typical, or low. If it says 'typical' or 'low' and fits your budget, book it.

What about error fares?

True error fares are rare and often get canceled by airlines. Don't plan your trip around finding one. Book regular fares and get on with your life.

How to Stop Searching for Flight Deals and Just Book

Book domestic flights 1-3 months ahead and international flights 2-8 months ahead. Set a budget, check 2-3 sites max, and book when you find something within 10% of your target price. Endless searching costs you more in stress and time than the $50 you might save.

Set your budget first. Decide what you're willing to spend before you start looking. For domestic US flights, expect $200-600. For international, $400-1200 depending on distance. This prevents endless comparison shopping.
Check only 2-3 booking sites. Use Google Flights plus one airline direct website and maybe Kayak. More sites just create decision paralysis. Airlines like Southwest don't show up on Google Flights, so check them separately if they serve your route.
Book within your budget window. If you find a flight within 10% of your target price, book it. A $400 flight when you budgeted $450 is good enough. The extra hours of searching for a $370 flight aren't worth $30.
Stop checking after booking. Don't torture yourself by continuing to monitor prices after purchase. Most airlines charge $200+ to change tickets anyway, so a $50 price drop won't help you.

What if prices drop after I book?: Airlines rarely offer price protection, and change fees usually exceed any savings. Southwest and Alaska sometimes offer credits for price drops. For everyone else, accept that you got a fair price and move on.
Should I use incognito mode?: It doesn't hurt, but dynamic pricing based on your searches is largely a myth. Airlines mostly adjust prices based on demand and time, not your browsing history.
How do I know if a price is good?: Google Flights shows price history and whether current prices are high, typical, or low. If it says 'typical' or 'low' and fits your budget, book it.
What about error fares?: True error fares are rare and often get canceled by airlines. Don't plan your trip around finding one. Book regular fares and get on with your life.