How much better would your trip be if you didn’t spend a huge chunk of your budget on flights?! All that extra $ could be used on incredible meals, excursions and nicer accommodations. Here are some helpful tips on how to find cheap flights:

1. 1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates: One of the most effective ways to find cheap flights is to be flexible with your travel dates. Airfare prices can vary significantly depending on the time of year, day of the week, and time of day. If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, try adjusting your travel dates to find the best deals. Our favorite website for flexible travel is called GOING … which has a free and paid version. They will essentially monitor flight prices all across the world and email you whenever a price drops significantly, and then you will just book that lower rate directly with the airline. We used this site to book our roundtrip nonstop Delta to St Thomas flights last February for only $132 per person.
   2. Book Early or Last Minute: Booking flights early or last minute can sometimes result in cost savings. Airlines often release discounted fares several months in advance, so booking early can help you snag a great deal. On the other hand, airlines may also offer last-minute discounts to fill empty seats. If you have the flexibility to book last minute, you may find some last-minute flight deals.
   3. Use Fare Comparison Websites: Utilize fare comparison websites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to compare prices across different airlines and travel agencies. These websites allow you to search for flights based on your preferred travel dates and provide you with a comprehensive list of available flights along with their prices. You can easily compare fares and choose the most affordable option.
   4. Be Flexible with Your Departure and Arrival Airports: If you are willing to be flexible with your departure and arrival airports, you may find cheaper flights. Consider nearby airports or alternative airports that may have lower fares. For example, if you’re flying to a major city, check prices for airports in the surrounding areas. Be sure to consider transportation costs to and from the airports as well.
   5. Sign Up for Fare Alerts: Many travel websites and airlines offer fare alerts that notify you when prices drop for your desired destinations. Sign up for these alerts to stay informed about any price changes and take advantage of discounted fares as they become available. GOING is our favorite for this but we also utilize Google Flights “tracking” if our dates are not flexible.
   6. Consider Budget Airlines: Budget airlines often offer lower fares compared to traditional airlines. Be sure to read the fine print and understand any additional fees, such as baggage fees or seat selection fees, that may be charged by budget airlines. Also, keep in mind that budget airlines may have more limited services and amenities compared to full-service airlines. We don’t frequently fly with Spirit, Allegiant or Frontier but we have in a pinch and as long as you do your research on what is and what is not included it can be a pleasant experience.
   7. Take Advantage of Rewards Programs: If you frequently travel, consider signing up for airline rewards programs. Many airlines offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn points or miles for flights, which can be redeemed for discounted or free flights in the future. This can help you save on future flights and potentially find cheap flights. If you follow us y’all know we LOVE the Southwest Companion Pass – which gives us unlimited BOGO flights to everywhere Southwest flies!
   8. Consider Layovers or Connecting Flights: Direct flights are often more expensive than flights with layovers or connecting flights. Consider flights with layovers or connecting flights, as they can sometimes be more affordable. However, be sure to factor in the layover time and potential additional costs, such as meals or accommodations during the layover.
   9. Be Prepared to Book When You Find a Good Deal: Flight prices can change rapidly, so be prepared to book when you find a good deal. Don’t hesitate! Have your payment information ready and be ready to confirm your booking as prices can change or seats can sell out quickly.
   10. Book Backwards: book your flight first based on the best price and dates you can find, THEN book your lodging, transportation, etc. We were planning on going to Grand Cayman in September of 2023 but after a little bit of research we realized it was not going to fit our groups budget so we looked at flights to Aruba and realized they were a third of the cost! So we booked our Aruba flights and then booked our Airbnb + car rental. If we had booked our Airbnb + car rental during a specific week in Grand Cayman then we would have been stuck paying the outrageous price for the GC flights!