Cheap flight hacks should be on the top of your list if you plan to take even one flight this year. Airline prices can be brutally expensive. That expense is compounded if your entire family is flying. When you multiply the high cost of airfare by three or more (depending on how many kids you have) your price to fly can be astronomical.
Because airfare can be so hard on the wallet, I’ve put together a list of cheap flight hacks that can help you get the most mileage for your dollar on any flight.
Table of Contents
Cheap Flight Hacks for More Affordable Flying
It’s key to take a multi-pronged approach to your savings plan when flying. The following tips are great on their own for small savings, but when you put them together, they can save you so much more.
Clear Your Browser Cookies
This may seem like an odd hack, but browser cookies store temporary information on your computer. Sometimes, these cookies don’t update, causing you to see inaccurate pricing when you search travel rates. While some airlines argue this is not a thing impacting travel prices I have seen flights go up astronomically from one day to the next. So, this is for me a simple thing to do, whether you believe it works or not. It certainly doesn’t hurt.
Some of my colleagues who write travel content will browse in private mode, and use different computers. There are also Facebook travel groups of people who post non stop exceptional flight deals. Hunt for one of those if you are really set on getting a great deal.
Book Flights During Off Times
Stay flexible on your times when booking flights. We all want that sweet flight or vacation time, but those times come at a premium. When you book flights for times like mid-week or off-season, you can save a substantial amount of money. Another bonus for travel is that planning a vacation during an off-season time can mean fewer crowds and more fun at your destination.
Pack Light
Packing light means you can go with carry on. No checked luggage equals savings.
Unless you’re traveling for an extended period of time, try to limit your packing to carry-on only. Pack efficiently and for what you need. You can even skip some of the toiletries and grooming products and buy them when you arrive at your destination. OR pack travel sized tiny products. I keep a stash of these for most trips, even when I don’t fly.
Remember, hotels provide shampoo, soap, and even toothbrushes and toothpaste. Packing as light as possible will save the enormous fee for checking luggage, so go with carry-on whenever possible.
Book Well in Advance
You can save an average of 10% when you book 30 to 50 days in advance. This is the average advance booking time that seems to save passengers the most money on flights.
Set a Flight Alert
You can set an alert on many apps for flights at certain prices. When those flights become available, you’ll be informed. Or you can set them to tell you when flights go down in price. That is one feature I love.
Use Travel Deal Sites
One of the best ways to see all the prices on flight options is to use a travel deal site. Sites like booking.com, Expedia, or Kayak scour the web for flight deals for you, giving you a range of options and prices which allow you to make better decisions on your flight plans.
Cheap Flight Hacks can Save You Serious Green
If you’re planning to fly, do yourself a favour and put these cheap flight hacks into effect. By limiting your packing, using deal sites, and booking in advance, you can shave dollars off of your flight on several fronts, allowing you to focus on the fun part of your trip rather than the expense.
If you liked this post you may want to read: How to Save Money on Ski Trips.
Or How to Save on Your Dream Cruise.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of the links I receive a commission.
