How far in advance should I set up fare alerts?

For international flights, start 5-6 months before you want to travel. Domestic flights, 2-3 months is enough. Exception: if you're flexible on destination, set up alerts year-round and book deals as they appear, even if travel is 8-10 months out.

Why didn't I get an alert even though I see a price drop?

Google Flights only alerts on significant changes, usually $30+ or 10%+ drops. Hopper waits until it predicts the price has bottomed out. Going only sends deals 40%+ off. A $15 price drop might not trigger an alert. Check manually every week or two as backup.

Are mistake fares real or a scam?

They're real but rare. Airlines occasionally publish wrong prices — $300 roundtrip to Asia instead of $1200. Going and Secret Flying find these. Airlines usually honor tickets already purchased, but not always. Book immediately, don't make non-refundable plans until the flight is confirmed, and be mentally prepared for a possible cancellation.

Should I book immediately when I get an alert?

For mistake fares and flash sales, yes — book within 4 hours. For regular deals from Going, book within 24 hours. For Google Flights alerts showing a modest price drop, you have 2-5 days. All US-originating flights can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking, so when in doubt, book it and decide later.

Can I set alerts for flexible dates?

Google Flights lets you track a whole month or 'any dates.' Hopper works best with specific dates but you can watch multiple date sets. Going doesn't use dates — you get all deals from your airports regardless of when you want to go. If you're truly flexible, Going Premium is the best tool.

Do these alerts work for one-way flights?

Yes, but you have to set them up separately. Create one alert for your outbound and another for your return. Google Flights and Hopper both support one-way alerts. Going's deals are usually roundtrip but you can book just one direction.

How to Set Up and Use Airfare Alerts

Fare alerts monitor flight prices for routes you care about and notify you when prices drop. Set them up through Google Flights, Hopper, or Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), entering your departure city and destinations. You'll get emails or app notifications when fares hit your target price or drop significantly below average.

Choose your alert tool. Google Flights is free and works for specific routes. Hopper predicts price trends and sends mobile alerts. Going offers curated mistake fares and premium for $49/year. Use Google Flights for routes you've already decided on. Use Going if you're flexible and want international deals you wouldn't find yourself.
Set up Google Flights alerts. Go to google.com/flights. Enter your departure airport and destination. Select your dates or choose 'Any dates' if flexible. Click the toggle for 'Track prices' — it turns blue. Google emails you when prices change significantly. Set up one alert per route. If you have 5 possible destinations, set up 5 alerts.
Configure Hopper for predictive alerts. Download the Hopper app. Search your route and dates. Tap 'Watch this trip' on any flight. Hopper analyzes billions of prices and tells you if you should book now or wait. It sends a push notification when it's time to buy. Best for domestic flights and trips within 6 months.
Subscribe to Going for deal alerts. Sign up at going.com. Enter your home airport and up to 8 airports for the free version. Premium ($49/year) covers all airports and gets deals first. Going sends 2-10 emails per week with fares 40-90% off normal prices. These are time-sensitive — book within 24 hours if interested.
Set realistic price targets. Check Google Flights price graph to see historical trends. If the average is $450, don't wait for $200. Set your mental target at 15-25% below average. For domestic US flights under 3 hours, anything under $150 roundtrip is excellent. Cross-country under $250 is good. International economy to Europe under $500 roundtrip is worth booking.
Act fast when you get an alert. Mistake fares and flash sales last 4-24 hours. When you get an alert, open it immediately. Verify the price is still available. Check the dates work for you. Book if it's good — don't wait to ask friends or check your calendar later. You can cancel most flights within 24 hours for free.
Clean up your alerts regularly. Unsubscribe from routes you've booked or no longer need. Too many alerts and you'll ignore them all. Keep your active alert list under 10 routes. Update your home airport in Going if you move.

How far in advance should I set up fare alerts?: For international flights, start 5-6 months before you want to travel. Domestic flights, 2-3 months is enough. Exception: if you're flexible on destination, set up alerts year-round and book deals as they appear, even if travel is 8-10 months out.
Why didn't I get an alert even though I see a price drop?: Google Flights only alerts on significant changes, usually $30+ or 10%+ drops. Hopper waits until it predicts the price has bottomed out. Going only sends deals 40%+ off. A $15 price drop might not trigger an alert. Check manually every week or two as backup.
Are mistake fares real or a scam?: They're real but rare. Airlines occasionally publish wrong prices — $300 roundtrip to Asia instead of $1200. Going and Secret Flying find these. Airlines usually honor tickets already purchased, but not always. Book immediately, don't make non-refundable plans until the flight is confirmed, and be mentally prepared for a possible cancellation.
Should I book immediately when I get an alert?: For mistake fares and flash sales, yes — book within 4 hours. For regular deals from Going, book within 24 hours. For Google Flights alerts showing a modest price drop, you have 2-5 days. All US-originating flights can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking, so when in doubt, book it and decide later.
Can I set alerts for flexible dates?: Google Flights lets you track a whole month or 'any dates.' Hopper works best with specific dates but you can watch multiple date sets. Going doesn't use dates — you get all deals from your airports regardless of when you want to go. If you're truly flexible, Going Premium is the best tool.
Do these alerts work for one-way flights?: Yes, but you have to set them up separately. Create one alert for your outbound and another for your return. Google Flights and Hopper both support one-way alerts. Going's deals are usually roundtrip but you can book just one direction.