Okay, let me tell you about how I finally cracked the code on finding cheaper flights. For ages, I was just punching in my dates and destinations like everyone else, crossing my fingers for a miracle. Most times, the prices were just… ouch.
My Old, Frustrating Way
I used to spend hours, literally hours, opening tab after tab on different flight websites. I’d try a Monday departure, then a Tuesday, then maybe shift the whole trip by a week. It was a grind, and honestly, I wasn’t getting very far. I felt like I was just guessing, hoping to stumble upon a good deal by pure luck.
The “Aha!” Moment with Filters
Then one day, I was looking at one of those big flight search engine pages, and I really paid attention to the sidebar or the options usually tucked away under a button saying “Advanced Search” or “More Filters.” I’d always seen them but figured they were too fiddly. This time, though, I was determined. I thought, “What if these things actually work?”
So, I started clicking. My mission was a trip I’d been wanting to take for a while, but the initial prices were just putting me off. First, I looked for anything related to date flexibility. Instead of my exact dates, I found an option like “whole month” or “+/- 3 days.” This was a game-changer! Suddenly, I could see which days were significantly cheaper just by shifting my travel by a day or two. It was amazing how much prices could vary midweek versus a weekend.
Next up, I explored airport options. My city has one major airport and a smaller one a bit further out. I made sure to check the box that said “include nearby airports” for both my departure and arrival cities. Sometimes, flying into an airport that’s an hour’s drive away from your main destination can slice a good chunk off the ticket price. It’s worth checking if the cost of a bus or train from that alternative airport still makes it a saving.
Digging Deeper into the Options
Then I got into the nitty-gritty. Number of stops was a big one. I used to always aim for direct flights because, well, convenience. But when I started allowing for one stop, or even two for long-haul, the prices really started to tumble. Some filters even let you specify maximum layover times, which is handy.
I also played around with filters for specific airlines or alliances. This isn’t always about the cheapest price, but if you’re collecting points or prefer a certain airline, it’s good to know. Sometimes, surprisingly, your preferred airline might pop up with a decent deal when filtered.
Another filter I found useful was for time of day. Red-eye flights or very early morning departures are often cheaper. If you don’t mind waking up at an ungodly hour, you can save some cash. I just told myself I could sleep on the plane.
Putting It All Together and Finding the Deal
So, here’s what I did:
- I selected “flexible dates” around the period I wanted to travel.
- I made sure “include nearby airports” was ticked for both ends of the journey.
- I set the filter to allow for at least one stop, sometimes even two if I was feeling brave.
- I wasn’t too fussy about the time of day, just to see what came up.
After a bit of tweaking these combinations, it happened. A flight popped up that was significantly cheaper than anything I’d seen before. It wasn’t the “perfect” flight – it had a slightly longer layover and departed super early – but the saving was massive. I double-checked everything, made sure the layover wasn’t ridiculously tight, and booked it. The feeling of satisfaction was pretty great, I tell ya.
What I Learned
Patience is key. Don’t expect the magic deal to appear in the first search. You gotta play with the filters.
Be flexible if you can. Your dates, your airports, even your willingness to have a layover can unlock big savings.
Don’t ignore the small print. Always check baggage allowances and other conditions, especially with budget carriers that might pop up in filtered searches.
So yeah, that’s my experience. Since then, I always dive deep into those advanced search filters. It takes a bit more effort than a basic search, but the potential savings are totally worth it. Give it a shot next time you’re booking a flight; you might be pleasantly surprised!
