It’s so wild that you can go on one site and get one price for a flight and go to another one and it’s way higher or lower. So clearly, that means there are some things you can do to get the best rate – and it means the difference between spending several hundred dollars and saving several hundred dollars.

Let’s get into what you can do to get the best rates on your flight during the summer and the rest of the rest of the year.

Search the Dates Before Deciding On a Fixed Travel Date

You can find some great deals if you are flexible on the date and time you are going to travel. Consider flying on weekdays, as they are generally cheaper than on weekends. Additionally, be open to adjusting your departure and return dates by a few days to explore cheaper options.

Use Flight Comparison Websites

You will be shocked at how much the prices change when you use flight comparison websites. Utilize flight comparison websites or online travel agencies that aggregate prices from various airlines. Websites like Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights allow you to compare fares across multiple airlines, helping you find the best deal available.

Sign Up for Fare Alerts

You can subscribe to fare alerts for your destination on flight booking sites. They will notify you via email or app notifications when there are price drops or special deals on flights to your desired destinations.

Book in Advance

The earlier you book your trip, the less expensive your flight is going to be. The absolute cheapest fares are going to be six months before your trip. At the minimum, book your trip at least 2 months before. Of course, you can find deals closer to your travel date, but they can be harder to find unless you are going to a less popular location – in that case, you can get pretty good deals because they can’t sell the flight.

Consider Alternative Airports and Routes

If you are ok with spending more time getting to your destination, you can use alternative airports and routes to get to your destination. Check for flights from nearby airports, as they might offer cheaper options. Additionally, exploring different routes and layover options could help you find better deals. Sometimes, indirect flights with layovers can be significantly cheaper than direct flights.

Clear Browser Cookies or Use Incognito Mode

Avoid getting repeated results by eliminating browser cookies. Airlines and travel websites often use cookies to track your search history and increase prices based on demand. Clearing your browser cookies or using incognito mode can help you avoid personalized pricing and potentially find better deals.

Be Open to Different Airlines

When you are looking for a great deal on flights, you can’t be choosy about airlines. You might prefer a particular airline, but expand your horizons to get the best deal on a flight.

Use Airline Rewards Programs

Join frequent flyer programs or loyalty programs offered by airlines. Accumulate miles or points through these programs and redeem them for discounted or free flights. Additionally, some credit cards offer travel rewards and airline-specific perks that can help you save money on flights.

Don’t Get Tricked By Baggage Fees

Sometimes you see a great deal on a flight sight, but you don’t read the fine print. More and more these days – unfortunately – sites are giving you prices without the baggage fees included.

It can be incredibly disheartening when you book a flight and then discover you have to pay $300 to check in a bag. If you don’t need to check in baggage it can be a great deal, but if you need to check in baggage be sure to check on the booking.

Use Connecting Flights

Instead of booking a flight from your location directly to your destination, you can choose to book one that has a stop or two along the way. If you don’t mind the inconvenience of that and the extra time you have to spend on connecting flights, you can save several hundred dollars on a ticket.

Follow Airlines and Travel Websites on Social Media

Sometimes airlines and travel websites have sales that they announce on their social media. So you may be able to score some deals if you are keen on following social media.

Bottom Line

Use multiple flight comparison websites before you book your trip. Also, note that connecting flights are going to be cheaper than direct flights. And of course, book ahead if you can and book during the weekdays rather than the weekend as prices for everything go up on the weekend.