Knowing how to book cheap flights can save you loads of money on your trip.
I’ve saved over $10,000 on flights during my years of travel, and I know we’ve previously covered the best websites to find cheap flights (I’ll link to that below).
But today, I want to share some extra, out-of-the-box tips that you can use to book cheaper flights on your next trip.
Whether you’ve only booked a few flights or you’re a frequent flyer, I guarantee you’ll pick up a new strategy or two from this video.
Tip #1: Take Advantage of Positioning Flights
A “positioning flight” involves adding an extra flight to your itinerary to save money. This works in several ways: If flights to your final destination are expensive, try searching for flights that get you close, then add a budget flight to your destination.
For instance, if you’re in Detroit and want to fly to Malta, flights might cost around $1,021. But, if you fly to Vienna for $677 and add a budget flight from Vienna to Malta for around $30, you’d save around $300 while getting to explore Vienna on the way.
Myth Busting: Incognito Mode
For years, many people have believed that using incognito mode hides your search and prevents airlines from raising prices based on your search history.
But, experts at Going, who search thousands of flights every day, say this is a myth. Since they don’t use incognito mode and still find great deals, they probably know best!
Airline Rules and Laws
Knowing airline rules can also save you money. For example, the **24-hour rule** allows you to cancel or freeze a flight for 24 hours after booking if it’s a US-based flight purchased more than seven days before departure.
This lets you jump on a great deal and decide later if it actually works for you. You should also know the airline’s cancellation and rescheduling rules; if your flight is canceled or significantly altered, you can get a cash refund or choose a more convenient rebooked flight.
The Goldilocks Window
This tip is another gem from Going. There’s no specific day or time for the best flight deals, but booking within the “Goldilocks window” increases your chances of finding lower prices.
For domestic flights, it’s 1–3 months before departure, and for international flights, 2–8 months ahead. For peak seasons, add a couple of months.
Use a Travel Credit Card with Insurance
This might not directly lower your ticket price, but it can save you a lot if something goes wrong on your trip. A credit card with travel insurance can cover things like cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.
One of our flights was delayed once, making us miss a connection and needing a place to stay. Having a credit card with travel delay insurance would have covered our hotel.
Round-Trip Tickets from Outside the US
Round-trip flights that start outside the US are often cheaper than those originating in the US, especially for flights between the US and Europe.
For example, a round-trip from Detroit to London might cost $884 if it starts in Detroit, but only $678 if it starts in London.
If you travel frequently between the US and Europe, you can take advantage of this by starting with a one-way flight to Europe, then only booking round-trips from Europe back to the US and back again.
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These are just a few ways to save on flights. For more travel tips and step-by-step guides, check out our travel playlist, and don’t forget to follow Project Untethered on TikTok and Instagram for more travel hacks!
