Download the Hopper app
Several apps, along with Google Flights, have great flight tracking features. However, Hopper is one of the only apps I have found that gives realistic predictions on when to book a flight. It doesn’t just notify you when there is a change in price, it notifies you on whether you should book now or continue waiting. These screenshots give you an idea of the information Hopper provides on all flights you choose to track. I do not recommend booking through the Hopper app. Once you have decided to book your flight, I recommend booking through the airline’s website directly.
Use Google Flights’ Explore Tool
This tool allows you to pick your starting location and explore all destinations to find the cheapest options. If you are looking to get out of town and are open to a variety of destinations, this tool is for you! You can still pick specific dates and it will show you the most affordable places to visit from your home airport. If you have more flexibility, you can choose the flexible dates option to explore different length of trips and various times of the year.
Use this link to start exploring: https://www.google.com/travel/explore
Check Baggage Fees Before Booking
Many airlines are now offering Basic Economy tickets that do not include checked baggage, or even carry on luggage for that matter. They offer you the option to upgrade to Economy Plus (or equivalent) and add a bag, pick your seat, etc. Most of the time, the price of purchasing a bag on its own is still cheaper than upgrading to the next ticket level. Also, if you are traveling with another person, always consider buying one checked bag and splitting the cost. If you have the option to purchase bags ahead of time, always do so! It is much cheaper than purchasing at the airport. If your ticket only includes a personal item, consider only taking a backpack and shoving it under the seat. Most weekend trips I take, I only bring a backpack so I can avoid baggage fees. If you have to, dress in layers and always wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane.
Try Different Airports
My home base, Tampa, doesn’t always have the best flights, especially direct flights. If you are lucky enough to live in close proximity to multiple airports, check out the flights departing from that airport as well. Orlando is the next closest airport to where I live and is just over an hour away. Although I would need to pay for gas and parking at the airport, the ticket savings could be well worth it. When parking at airports, check online for off-site lots that provide shuttles to the airport. You may have to arrive to the airport a half hour earlier, I’ve seen lots as low as $3.95 daily. Even if you don’t live close to another airport, try searching from well known airports like JFK, Atlanta, or LAX. Depending on your destination, you can find steals on international flights. Then just book your roundtrip ticket from your home airport to the hub you choose to fly out of.
Book Legs Separately
When searching for flights with layovers, search engines will only show options where you can book your tickets in one transaction. This usually means if there are multiple airlines operating different legs, they are part of the same airline or alliance group. For instance, Spirit Airlines is not part of any alliance and does not have any international flights to Europe. But, they have some of the cheapest flights in the US. If there is a great international flight that I want to catch out of New York, I will book a separate ticket for that flight, then browse budget airlines to get me to New York in time to make my flight.
There are some possible downfalls, but depending on the situation, not deal breakers.
- Longer layovers
- Consider getting a credit card with lounge access. This is a great way to pass time between flights. Most have free food and alcoholic beverages and may even have showers to freshen up before your next leg.
- Baggage is not transferred to the next flight
- Consider getting TSA PreCheck or Global Entry so re-checking a bag isn’t as time consuming. TSA PreCheck costs only $85 every five years. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and only costs $15 more.
