Never pay too much for airline tickets with these 5 tips to get cheaper airline tickets

Travelers in the US have been able to benefit from lower airfares in 2024, after a year marked by extremely high ticket prices. Although prices have generally fallen, some destinations are actually becoming more expensive, especially at certain times of the year.

If you plan to fly soon, consider booking your flight now to save money. The ‘shoulder season’, the period immediately following the high summer season, is usually an excellent time to score cheap flights.

I’ve already written about the most important travel trends in 2024, but now I’ve collected even more tips on how to save money on airline tickets. Here’s what you need to know about getting plane tickets for less than the sticker price. From the cheapest day to fly to our choices for the best travel credit cardswe give you the tips you need to score affordable flights.

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Try to fly mid-week

Booking flights to take off and land on weekends will cost you money. According to Google Flights datathe most cost-effective flights are available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Tuesday proving to be the most economical day based on previous flight data. Choosing to fly early to mid-week can save you 13% to 20% on ticket prices compared to weekend flights on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with Sunday being the most expensive day to fly to fly.

While Google Flights data shows that there is no best day to book flights, the actual day you travel does matter when it comes to costs. Avoid flying on a weekend day for the best rates.

Consider a budget airline

If cost is more important when flying, consider booking through a budget airline. Budget airlines are often smaller, less luxurious and have fewer flying options, but they can also save you hundreds of dollars compared to larger airlines, such as American, United and Delta.

Here is a list of budget airlines in the US:

Budget airlines often require you to give up some convenience for the cheaper fares. For example, you’ll likely have to pay extra fees for carry-on luggage and other amenities that are typically free on non-budget airlines. You also have to pay to select your seat on the plane or be randomly assigned. It’s best to add these costs up to ensure you’re actually saving money in the long run.

That said, skipping the amenities of larger airlines can save you hundreds of dollars on your trip. Short-haul flights and casual weekend getaways are especially suitable for budget airlines.

Take advantage of one-way flights and stopovers

Booking one-way flights may not be as convenient as round-trip tickets, but it does give you more options to choose from in terms of price: you can book through different airlines for the best rates on the days you plan to fly. For example, Delta will get you to your destination for less, but American Airlines may be cheaper for the flights home.

For more savings, and especially if your schedule is flexible, consider booking a flight with one or more stops. It’s no surprise that flights with stops are cheaper than direct flights, but you may not realize how big the savings can be. Travelers can save 25% by booking a flight with a stopover instead of a direct flight. according to Google Flight data.

Use a travel credit card

You can use frequent flyer miles and rewards points from travel credit cards to save even more money. Travel credit cards work by rewarding you with points or miles for both travel-related and everyday expenses. Once you have collected enough points or miles, you can redeem them for perks such as airline tickets and hotel stays. A travel credit card can even earn you extra points or miles when you use the card for travel purchases, but rates vary.

Some airlines, such as United and Delta, have their own credit cards that pay in miles, can be redeemed for “free” flights or upgrades, and offer perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag.

Try travel apps and features to find flight deals

Apps and automated features can make finding cheap flights easier. Travelers can use apps such as To go (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to discover flight deals. Going uses software and flight experts to aggregate deals and calculate incorrect fares (when an airline or travel agent quotes an incorrect price for a plane ticket that is far less than it’s worth) up to 90% off, then send these discounted flights to members to email.

Google Flights recently too has unveiled a new ‘Cheapest’ tab on its platform to help travelers save money and easily find ultra-cheap flights. To get started, just enter your travel details and tap the ‘Cheapest’ tab to browse the lowest options available.

For more travel tips, Find out if travel insurance is worth the cost And expert tips for choosing and packing carry-on luggage.