Okay, let’s talk about finding flight deals. It’s something I spend a fair bit of time on because, well, who wants to pay more than they have to? Here’s how I usually go about it.
My Starting Point: Flexibility is Everything
First off, before I even touch a keyboard, I figure out how flexible I can be. This is seriously the biggest money-saver. Can I travel mid-week instead of the weekend? Can I fly in September instead of August? If my dates are set in stone, I know right away it’s going to cost more. That’s just how it is. I physically look at a calendar and mark out potential windows. Sometimes shifting my trip by just two days makes a huge difference. I also think about timing – red-eye flights or super early morning ones are often cheaper. Not fun, but sometimes worth it.
Diving into the Tools: The Broad Scan
Alright, then I actually start searching. I don’t just use one booking tool or comparison site. That’s a rookie mistake. I usually open up two or three different ones in separate browser tabs. You know the big names I’m talking about. I punch in my departure city and where I want to go.
Here’s what I do next:
- If I have flexible dates, I often select the “whole month” view if the tool has it. This gives me a quick visual of the cheapest days to fly.
- If my dates are kinda fixed, I still check the days immediately before and after. Sometimes Wednesday is way cheaper than Thursday.
- I hit “search” on all the tabs and just let them run.
Sifting Through the Results: Looking Beyond Price
Now I’ve got a bunch of results. I don’t just jump on the absolute cheapest one immediately. I learned that lesson the hard way with hidden fees and terrible layovers.
I look at:
- Layovers: How many stops? How long are they? Is it a crazy short connection where I’ll have to sprint across the airport? Or is it an overnight layover that costs me a hotel room? I try to find a balance. Direct is best but usually costs more.
- Airports: Does the cheap flight land miles away from the actual city? I factor in the cost and hassle of getting from that remote airport to where I actually need to be. Sometimes flying into the main, slightly more expensive airport is actually cheaper overall. I check alternate airports near my home too.
- Airline: Is it an airline I know? Or one with terrible reviews? What about baggage fees? This is crucial. Budget airlines often look cheap initially, but once you add bags, seat selection, even water, the price can shoot up. I mentally add those expected costs to the base fare shown on the comparison site.
Refining the Search and Setting Alerts
Okay, after the first pass, I have a better idea of the baseline price and the likely airlines. Now I refine.
I might go back and tweak the dates slightly based on what I saw. Maybe flying back on a Monday saves $50 compared to Sunday. Worth it.
If I’m not ready to book right then, I use the price alert features on these sites. I set alerts for my specific dates or even for the flexible month view. Let the computers do the boring work of checking prices every day. I usually get emails if the price goes up or down.
Checking Direct and Pulling the Trigger
Sometimes, after a comparison site shows me the cheapest option (say, Airline X on specific dates), I’ll open another tab and go directly to Airline X’s own website. I plug in the same dates and flights. Why? Once in a while, it’s slightly cheaper direct. More often, the price is the same, but booking direct can sometimes make things easier if there are flight changes or cancellations later. Dealing with the airline itself is often less hassle than going through a third party.
Then comes the moment of truth: booking. There’s no magic formula for when to buy. Prices go up, prices go down. My rule is: once I’ve done my research, know the rough price range, and see a deal that fits my budget and schedule, I book it. I don’t agonize over saving another $10 because I’ve seen prices jump $100 while I waited. Before I click confirm, I triple-check all the details: names spelled correctly (matching passport!), dates, times, airports, baggage allowance included. Then I pay, usually with a credit card for better protection and points.
That’s pretty much my routine. It’s not foolproof, flight prices can be weirdly unpredictable. But being flexible, using multiple tools, paying attention to all the costs (not just the headline price), and doing a final direct check has saved me a good chunk of cash over the years. Takes a little effort, but definitely worth it for me.
