Finding cheap flights can feel like a full-time job.
You search one day and see a great fare. The next day, it’s gone. You open five different websites, compare dozens of options, and before you know it, you’ve spent two hours looking at flights without booking anything.
The good news is that finding the best flight deals doesn’t have to be that complicated. Over the years, we’ve learned that it’s less about searching constantly and more about using the right tools and having a simple strategy.
Here are the methods we use to find great airfare without spending hours glued to a computer.
Set Price Alerts
One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is manually checking flight prices every day.
Instead, let technology do the work.
Many flight search tools allow you to create price alerts for specific routes. Once they’re set up, you’ll receive an email when prices increase or decrease.
We regularly use:
- Google Flights
- Going
- Hopper (for tracking trends)
For example, if you’re planning a trip from Charlotte to London next spring, create an alert several months in advance. Instead of checking prices every morning, you’ll be notified when there’s a meaningful price change.
This saves time and helps you avoid constantly wondering if today’s price is the best you’ll find.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is one of the easiest ways to save hundreds of dollars on airfare.
Even shifting your departure by one or two days can make a surprising difference.
If your schedule allows, compare:
- Leaving on Tuesday instead of Friday
- Returning on Monday instead of Sunday
- Flying a week earlier or later
- Traveling during shoulder season instead of peak holidays
For example, a flight to Italy in late September may cost significantly less than the same itinerary during the busiest weeks of August.
The destination hasn’t changed. Only the timing has.
Compare Airports
Many travelers only search from their closest airport.
We almost always check nearby airports as well.
Depending on where you live, a short drive can sometimes save hundreds of dollars per ticket.
For example, someone in the Southeast might compare flights from:
- Charlotte
- Atlanta
- Raleigh
- Orlando
- Miami
The same idea applies once you arrive.
Instead of flying directly into a smaller destination, look at nearby airports and compare the total cost after factoring in transportation.
Sometimes a one-hour train ride or rental car is well worth the savings.
Use Better Search Tools
Not all flight search engines are created equal.
Rather than checking airline websites one by one, we start with tools that search across multiple airlines at once.
Some of our favorites include:
Google Flights
This is usually our first stop because it’s fast, easy to use, and has one of the best calendar views available. It’s great for comparing dates and spotting cheaper travel windows.
Going sends alerts when unusually low fares become available. Instead of searching constantly, you simply wait for deals to arrive in your inbox.
We’ve found some fantastic international airfare this way.
If you’re using credit card points or airline miles, Point.me is one of the easiest ways to search award availability across multiple airline loyalty programs without checking each one individually.
It saves an incredible amount of time. (Use code MAXWELLSTRAVEL4 for 25% off of a standard or premium annual plan!)
Think Beyond Cash
One thing we’ve learned over the years is that the cheapest flight isn’t always the one with the lowest cash price.
Sometimes using points gives you far better value.
Here’s a simple example.
Imagine a flight costs:
- $1,200 in cash
- 60,000 airline miles plus $75 in taxes
If you already have flexible credit card points, transferring those points to the airline could save you well over $1,000.
This is why we almost always compare both options before booking.
We ask ourselves:
- Should we pay cash?
- Should we use points?
- Which option gives us the best value?
Sometimes the answer surprises us.
Book Early — But Book the Right Fare
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that booking your flights early means you’re stuck if prices drop.
Thankfully, that’s usually not true!
When we book flights, we almost always purchase Main Cabin (or higher) instead of Basic Economy. While Main Cabin tickets may cost a little more upfront, they typically allow you to make changes without paying change fees.
That means if the airfare drops after you’ve booked, you can often:
- Cancel your existing ticket & rebook the exact same flight at the lower price, or
- Receive the difference as an airline travel credit for a future trip
We’ve done this countless times ourselves and have saved hundreds of dollars over the years just by keeping an eye on our reservations after booking.
Because of that, we generally recommend booking as soon as you’re comfortable with your travel plans – especially if you’re traveling during busy seasons, holidays, or on popular international routes! Locking in your flights early gives you the best selection, and if prices happen to fall later, you may still be able to take advantage of the lower fare.
One important note: We almost never recommend booking Basic Economy unless you’re absolutely certain your plans won’t change. Those tickets often come with restrictions like no changes, limited cancellations, seat assignment limitations, and fewer options if something goes wrong.
Spending a little extra for Main Cabin can give you much more flexibility – and in many cases, it can actually save you money in the long run.
Avoid Common Mistakes
We’ve learned a few lessons over the years that have helped us avoid overpaying for flights.
A few of our biggest tips include:
- Don’t panic book the first fare you see unless you know it’s a good deal.
- Always compare the total price, including baggage fees and seat selection.
- Consider nonstop flights versus connections. A cheaper ticket isn’t always worth an overnight layover.
- Check cancellation and change policies before booking.
- If you’re earning travel rewards, compare paying cash versus using points before making a final decision.
A little extra research upfront can save both money and frustration later.
Final Thoughts
Finding great flight deals isn’t about spending hours refreshing airline websites. It’s about creating a system that does most of the work for you!
Set price alerts, stay flexible with your travel dates, compare nearby airports, use reliable flight search tools, and always look at both cash prices and points before booking.
Those simple habits have helped us save thousands of dollars on airfare over the years, and they can do the same for you!
