Cheap Flights Checklist
Our Checklist
Finding cheap flights can be hit or miss but persistence and flexibility is key to booking the best fares. Here is our checklist of well learned tips to booking affordable flights.
Track Multiple Destinations
If you’re like us and have a travel bucket list, keep checking flights to multiple destinations around when you’re planning to travel and book the cheapest option. This also helps us learn what prices are considered low or high to various places during different times of the year.
For instance, if you plan on traveling in 3 months from now and want to go somewhere tropical, you could track flights to various tropical destinations during that time and book the most affordable option.
Where to Search
We always begin searching on Google Flights. The search by map and calendar features make it easy to visually choose a destination and time to go.
We also like comparing across travel search engines like Sky Scanner, Hopper and Cheap Flights. These are our go-to search engines but we often check others as well.
Lastly, search directly through the airline’s websites. Some airlines have better routes and prices.
Know the Best Times to Travel
Have Flexible Dates and Times. Sometimes departing a day earlier or an hour later can mean saving hundreds of dollars on flights.
Travel During the Off Season. The weather might not be “perfect” but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your trip. We’ve often enjoyed smaller crowds, better service and made stronger connections with local culture and other travelers during the off season.
Book the Red Eye Flight. It might not be the most comfortable time to travel, especially if you can’t sleep on airplanes, however the prices are almost always less than during mornings or mid-day.
Travel on Grim Dates. Flights are always cheaper on days like Friday the 13th or September 11th.
Travel on Thanksgiving. If you’re flying international from the US. Domestic flights are high but international ones are usually low.
Check Multiple Airports
Many major hubs have multiple airports. Flights to and from the smaller airport may be more affordable. Some examples are Newark vs JFK in NYC, Orly vs Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Narita vs Haneda in Tokyo or Ft. Lauderdale vs Miami in Florida.
If you’re based between multiple regional airports, flights from one vs the other may make all the difference.
Sometimes the best fares may be a flight away. While living in Chicago, we would often book trips out of NYC’s airports for the better fares, assuming flights from Chicago to NYC we’re also low.
Book One Way Flights
We’ve booked one way flights to hop between destinations. In one instance, we purchased one way flights from NYC to Mexico City to Cancun then back to NYC.
We’ve also booked one way flights to and from destinations through different airlines. We’ve purchased flights through JetBlue from NYC to San Juan, PR then returned with Spirit Airlines.
If you do it right, either option can end up costing less than round trip tickets.
Be Aware of Baggage Fees
We rarely check a bag however we always verify baggage fees and restrictions. They frequently change between airlines and countries. Before booking, confirm how many bags are included, what the weight/size restrictions are, if they can be carried on or have to be checked. Fees can quickly add up if you’re not paying attention.
Book the Budget Airline
We’ve all heard or been one of the horror stories on budget airlines however not all budget airlines or experiences are bad. Though there’s usually less leg room, higher baggage fees and overbooked flights, we consider it justifiable for the cost. We’ve purchased cheap flights and had great experiences with these airlines:
Jet Blue: $117/ticket direct roundtrip from Newark, NJ to San Juan, PR
Spirit: $114/ticket direct roundtrip from Newark, NJ to New Orleans, LA
Level Airlines: $288/ticket direct roundtrip from Newark, NJ to Paris
Ryanair: $67/ticket direct roundtrip from Madrid to Marseille
Norwegian Air: $280/ticket direct roundtrip from JFK to Oslo
China Eastern: $540/ticket roundtrip from JFK to Tokyo with a 4 hour layover in Shanghai
Don’t Wait to Book
If you feel good about a ticket’s price, don’t wait to book it. Chances are the price won’t be available less than 24 hours later.
Lottery for First Class
Some airlines like Norwegian Air have lotteries where you can bid to upgrade your seat to First Class. After booking, you can choose to pay more to upgrade your seat. If selected, you’ll be charged for your bid then upgraded, often for much less than the cost of First Class Tickets. We’ve flown First Class from JFK to Amsterdam and Oslo.
Volunteer if Asked
We’ve earned several hundred dollars in flight vouchers and Visa cards on multiple occasions by volunteering to take the next flight on overbooked flights.
Buy Travel Insurance
Though it’s usually an extra expense, we typically add on travel insurance to our flights. It’s come in handy a few times, especially during 2020.
Travel Credit Card
Sign up for a travel credit card to earn points that cover the cost of flights or other travel related expenses. We use the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. 1 point = 1.5 cents. For example, the sign up bonus of 60,000 points is equivalent to $900. The card costs $500 a year however we earn $300 back in travel credits. It also comes with a Priority Pass that offers access to various airport lounges. Any travel related expenses earn 3 points per dollar spent on the card. Over time, it adds up and more than pays itself off.
Persistence & Flexibility
If you’ve read this far, you can tell there are many ways to find the most affordable flights. It’s often a combination of methods on our checklist, the most important of which is persistence and flexibility. Being persistent about finding cheap flights and willing to be flexible to book them is often what lands us the best fares.
