Our Best Tips for Scoring Cheap Flights
Today we’re sharing our best tips and tricks for getting great flight deals. Don’t pay more than you need to just to get to the next place on your bucket list! If you’re getting ready to head off on an au pair adventure in Italy (or anywhere else), a little flight-booking strategy can save you hundreds before you even land.
Be Flexible
Your luggage, travel time, layovers, when you book, and your flexibility on dates all make a huge difference. Using the “flexible dates” (±) feature when you search is a game changer.
The more flexible you can be on these factors, the cheaper the deals available. If you aren’t willing to compromise on any of them, expect to pay more.
- Light luggage (carry-on or less)
- Flight booked in advance (several months out tends to work best)
- Extra time invested in searching for flights
- Longer travel time (getting from A to B)
- Flexible start and end dates
Get Help From a Professional
You can also sign up for a service that does the deal-hunting for you, usually with a free tier and an optional paid upgrade for more alerts.
One of our favorites is Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights). Start with the free subscription, and if you like what you see, upgrade to premium for more deals.
Other options worth checking out include:
- Cheap Fly Club
- I Know The Pilot
- Matt’s Flights
- Pomelo
- Flights from Home (out of SLC & Vegas)
- Hopper app
Use the Right Tools
Prefer to do the searching and booking yourself? Here are some solid resources:
- Kiwi.com
- Skyscanner
- Google Flights
- Kayak
- Momondo
- Southwest (their flights often don’t show up in general search engines)
- Allegiant Airlines (good for cheap flights from smaller cities to main hubs)
Think Outside the Box
Most people start with fairly precise dates and a destination, then book from there. To save a ton on your flight, try booking it backwards instead. And rather than searching for a flight that goes directly from A to B, look at nearby airports — you can often save a lot of money by flying into a nearby city, then taking a short flight or train to your final destination.
As the folks at Going put it: cross the ocean as cheaply as possible, then figure out the rest.
Here’s how to put that into practice:
- See what cheap fares are available to the overall area in your general time frame
- Use the “flexible dates” search feature (usually something like ±3 days)
- Figure out the small connections to get you to your final destination
- Don’t rule out trains or buses for that last leg
Enjoy a Detour (Or Two)
- It doesn’t always matter to get to your final destination right away
- Once you’re in Europe (or the general area), it can be very cheap to hop on short flights between main cities
- You can save money and see something you didn’t plan on
- It might take longer, but keep an open mind and you’ll have an adventure along the way
Don’t Forget the Right Card
- Although it’s smart to use cash as much as possible while traveling, booking a flight is one of those times a card is usually necessary
- Many travelers prefer debit cards to avoid credit card debt and interest
- If you do use a credit card, look for one with no foreign transaction fees — that alone can save you real money when you book and while you’re abroad
- Compare a few travel credit card options before you commit, and watch out for high annual fees
Thanks for joining us! Hope this helps you save money on your next trip.
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If you liked these tips, you’ll probably enjoy these too:
- What to Pack When You’re a World Traveler — our list of essentials for your next international trip.
- 7 Ways to Document Your Travels — great ideas for capturing (and actually keeping) your travel memories.
FAQ: Booking Cheap Flights
When’s the best time to book a flight to keep costs down?
Booking several months ahead generally gives you more choice and better prices, but staying flexible on your exact dates matters just as much. Use a “flexible dates” search feature to compare a range of days instead of locking in one date first.
Should I use a flight deal service or search for flights myself?
Either approach works — deal alert services like Going do the searching for you and are great if you don’t have time to hunt, while tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner are better if you want full control over your dates and route.
Does flying into a nearby airport actually save money?
Often, yes. Airports near major hubs or tourist destinations tend to have pricier fares. Flying into a nearby city and taking a short connecting flight, train, or bus can bring the total cost down, even after factoring in the extra leg.
What kind of card should I use to book an international flight?
A debit card works fine for many travelers, but if you carry a credit card, look for one with no foreign transaction fees. That one feature alone can save you money both on the flight itself and on everyday purchases once you’re abroad.
Every flight you book is one step closer to your own adventure abroad — see if you’re eligible to become a Rome Abroad au pair and start planning your trip.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
