How to Find Cheap Flights Every Time

Find cheap flights by searching via Incognito mode, monitoring prices with Google Flights alerts, and staying flexible with your departure dates. Avoid booking on weekends and aim to purchase tickets 6 to 8 weeks before your domestic flight or 3 to 6 months for international travel.

Use a meta-search engine. Start your search on Google Flights or Skyscanner. These platforms aggregate data across hundreds of airlines and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) simultaneously, giving you the best baseline price.
Toggle the date grid. Never search for 'fixed' dates. Always click on the calendar or grid view in your search tool. Often, shifting your departure or return by just 24 hours can save you $100 or more.
Set price tracking alerts. Once you have a route and a rough timeframe, turn on 'Track Prices' in Google Flights. You will receive an email notification the moment the fare drops, allowing you to book before the price jumps back up.
Search for one-way tickets. Don't assume a round-trip ticket is cheaper. Search for two one-way tickets on different airlines; sometimes combining a budget carrier for the departure and a legacy carrier for the return is significantly cheaper than a single round-trip booking.
Book during the 'Goldilocks' window. For domestic US flights, aim to book 1–3 months out. For international, aim for 3–6 months out. Booking last minute is rarely cheaper unless you are flying a niche route that isn't selling.

Is it true that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book?: This is largely a myth. Prices fluctuate based on airline algorithms, not the day of the week. Setting alerts is far more effective than waiting for a specific day.
Should I use a VPN to find cheaper flights?: While sometimes effective for specific regional carriers, it rarely works for major airlines. The effort involved usually isn't worth the marginal savings.
What is a 'hidden city' ticket?: It is booking a flight with a layover in your destination city and simply getting off there. Use this sparingly, only bring carry-on luggage, and never attach your frequent flyer number to it, as airlines penalize this practice.