How to Score Cheap Flights: A Comprehensive Guide to Booking Airline Tickets for Less

Whether you're an avid traveler or someone who takes the occasional vacation, one of the biggest challenges is finding cheap flights.

With prices fluctuating constantly, scoring affordable airline tickets can sometimes feel like a game of chance. However, with the right strategies, timing, and tools, you can consistently find cheap airfare and save money on both domestic and international flights.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through insider tips and proven strategies to help you book flights at the best prices. And introduce you to the best travel itinerary store Oojo Travel for best purchases.

1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap flight tickets. Airlines often adjust prices based on demand, so if you can be flexible with your departure and return dates, you'll have a higher chance of scoring a good deal.

Use Flexible Date Search Tools: Many flight search engines, such as Google Flights or Oojo Travel, offer flexible date options. This allows you to see a calendar of fares over a month, making it easier to choose the cheapest days to travel.
Mid-Week Savings: Studies show that flights are often cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Try flying mid-week rather than on weekends when demand is higher.
Off-Peak Travel: Avoid traveling during peak seasons like Christmas, New Year's, and summer vacation. Instead, opt for off-peak seasons like early spring and fall, when ticket prices are lower due to reduced demand.

2. Set Price Alerts for Cheap Airfare

Booking flights at the perfect moment is an art. Prices can fluctuate daily, even hourly, but tracking those changes manually can be overwhelming. Enter price alerts. These tools notify you when fares drop or rise, helping you book at the best price without constantly checking yourself.

Set Alerts on Flight Comparison Sites: Websites like Kayak, Hopper, and Momondo allow you to set price alerts for specific routes. They’ll notify you via email or app when there’s a drop in prices, giving you the chance to snatch up those cheap airline tickets before they increase.
Be Patient: Sometimes, prices fluctuate and then drop suddenly due to sales or lower demand. By setting alerts, you can afford to wait for a better deal rather than booking right away.

3. Book Flights Early — But Not Too Early

There’s often debate about how far in advance you should book flights to get the best deal. Generally speaking, booking too early or too late can cost you more.

Best Booking Window: The best time to book cheap flights for domestic travel is usually between one to three months in advance. For international flights, it’s advisable to book three to six months ahead.
Watch for Flash Sales: Airlines sometimes offer flash sales that last only a few hours or days. By subscribing to airline newsletters and following them on social media, you’ll be the first to know about these sales and can snag cheap air tickets.

4. Use Multiple Search Engines to Compare Prices

No single flight search engine offers all the deals available, so using multiple tools will broaden your options for finding cheap tickets.

Use Aggregators: Platforms like Google Flights and Oojo Travel aggregate flight options from a variety of airlines and travel agencies, allowing you to compare fares across different booking sites.
Check Airline Websites Directly: After finding a cheap airfare on an aggregator site, check the airline’s website directly. Sometimes airlines offer exclusive deals that aren’t listed on third-party platforms.
Don’t Forget Budget Airlines: Low-cost carriers like Southwest, Ryanair, and EasyJet often don’t appear on larger search engines, so you’ll need to check their websites individually. These airlines frequently offer cheap flight tickets on popular routes, but beware of extra fees for baggage, seat selection, and other services.

5. Leverage Frequent Flyer Miles and Credit Card Rewards

Frequent flyer programs and travel rewards credit cards are great ways to earn points that can be redeemed for cheap airfare or even free flights.

Sign Up for Frequent Flyer Programs: Even if you’re not a frequent traveler, signing up for an airline’s loyalty program can help you accumulate miles on every trip. Over time, these miles can be redeemed for cheap tickets, upgrades, or other perks.
Use a Travel Rewards Credit Card: Many travel rewards cards offer points or miles for everyday purchases. Some cards also offer sign-up bonuses that can be worth several hundred dollars in cheap flights. Use these points to book flights and save cash.

6. Consider Alternative Airports

Flying in or out of smaller, nearby airports can save you significant money. Major airports tend to be more expensive due to higher demand and limited competition, but smaller airports might offer lower fares.

Check Nearby Airports: When searching for flights, select the option to include nearby airports. For example, if you're flying to New York, consider flying into Newark or LaGuardia instead of JFK. If you’re traveling to Los Angeles, compare fares for Long Beach or Burbank instead of LAX.
Factor in Transportation Costs: When considering alternative airports, don’t forget to factor in the cost and time of transportation to your final destination. Sometimes the savings on cheap airfare might not be worth the extra cost of transportation.

7. Book One-Way Tickets or Mix Airlines

While round-trip tickets are often the default choice, booking two separate one-way tickets can sometimes be cheaper, especially if you're flying with different airlines.

Mix-and-Match Airlines: Websites like Kayak and Skyscanner allow you to mix airlines on one-way flights, giving you more flexibility to find the cheapest combination of fly tickets.
Consider Budget Carriers for One-Way Flights: For domestic or short international trips, budget airlines may offer ultra cheap tickets for one-way fares. Check to see if flying with different carriers on each leg of your journey can save you money.

8. Take Advantage of Last-Minute Flight Deals

While it’s generally advised to book flights in advance, there are times when last-minute flight deals can offer substantial savings.

Follow Airlines on Social Media: Some airlines post last-minute deals or special promotions on their social media channels. Follow your favorite airlines to stay informed about these limited-time offers.
Use Last-Minute Deal Apps: Apps like Oojo Travel specialize in finding last-minute flight deals. These tools help you find deep discounts on seats that airlines are trying to fill at the last minute.

9. Beware of Extra Fees and Hidden Costs

While finding a cheap ticket is great, make sure you're aware of any additional fees that may come with the booking. Low-cost carriers, in particular, often charge for services that are typically included in the ticket price with larger airlines.

Baggage Fees: Always check the airline’s baggage policy before booking. Some budget airlines charge hefty fees for checked bags, carry-ons, and even for selecting a seat. Factor these costs into your total ticket price.
Taxes and Fees: Some low-cost carriers advertise extremely low cheap air fares but add significant taxes and fees during the booking process. Make sure to review the total cost before finalizing your purchase.

10. Consider Booking with a Travel Agent for Complex Trips

For multi-city flights or international trips that require several connections, booking with a travel agent can sometimes help you find cheap airline tickets. Travel agents have access to special deals and can help you navigate complicated itineraries.

By using these strategies, you can consistently find cheap flights and save on travel costs with Oojo Travel. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous getaway or an international adventure, the key is to stay flexible, use multiple tools to compare fares, and remain vigilant for the best deals. Happy travels!