My Personal Experience Scoring the Best Flight Deals
Traveling has always been a passion of mine, but like most people, I was often overwhelmed by the sky-high costs of airfare. Over the years, I’ve learned some tricks to finding the best flight deals, and I can’t wait to share them with you. After all, who doesn’t love saving a few bucks on flights?
1. Using Google Flights to Plan My Trips
Google Flights has become my go-to tool for searching for cheap flights. One of the best features I’ve found is the price tracker. After planning a trip, I set up price alerts, and Google Flights notifies me whenever there’s a drop in price for my desired route. This little hack saved me a ton on flights, especially when I was booking with American Airlines and United! For example, when I was booking a flight from Buenos Aires to New York with United, the price dropped by $80 after a week, just as I was about to book it. Patience really pays off here.
2. Skyscanner for Finding Hidden Gems
While Google Flights is great, Skyscanner is another secret weapon in my travel toolkit. Skyscanner lets you explore flights to “anywhere” and helps uncover destinations that I might not have considered otherwise. On a whim, I searched for flights from Buenos Aires to any destination in the U.S. on United, and what popped up? A super cheap fare to Chicago! I wouldn’t have even thought of that until I played around with Skyscanner’s options.
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3. The Power of Airline Miles and Points
One of the biggest game-changers for me was getting into the world of airline miles and credit card rewards. I joined American Airlines’ AAdvantage program years ago, and over time, I’ve accumulated enough miles to book several domestic flights within the U.S. for free! But the real breakthrough came when I got a travel rewards credit card. By using it for everyday purchases, I rack up points that can be redeemed for discounts or even free flights. It’s like getting paid to shop!
4. Being Flexible with Travel Dates
Here’s where a little flexibility really comes in handy. My strategy is to check a few days before and after my desired travel dates to see if there are cheaper options. For instance, when booking a trip to New York, I realized flying a day earlier saved me over $100 with United. Google Flights’ calendar view helped me spot those deals instantly.
5. Booking on Incognito Mode
One hack that really opened my eyes was booking flights in incognito mode. Have you ever noticed that flight prices seem to increase the more you search for them? That’s because airlines track your activity, and if they see you checking the same route repeatedly, they might raise the price. Using private browsing mode avoids this issue, and I’ve definitely noticed cheaper prices when booking flights with American Airlines and United this way.
6. Secret Flash Sales and Alerts
Sometimes, it feels like I have an insider’s edge thanks to flash sales. Subscribing to American Airlines and United newsletters and following their social media accounts helped me catch deals that weren’t widely advertised. For example, I managed to book a round-trip flight from Buenos Aires to Miami for $300 less because I saw a flash sale pop up on American Airlines’ Twitter feed. Signing up for websites like Airfarewatchdog also helps me stay on top of these limited-time deals.
7. Multi-City Flights: A Hidden Gem
One of the best ways to save on airfare is by booking multi-city flights. I recently used Kiwi.com to find a multi-city itinerary that combined a trip to both Buenos Aires and Miami, flying with United and American Airlines, and the cost was far less than two separate one-way tickets. If you’re looking to explore multiple destinations in one trip, this option is definitely worth considering.
8. Flying Off-Peak and the Red-Eye Hack
Red-eye flights have been my secret weapon when it comes to finding cheap fares. Flights that leave late at night or early in the morning tend to be more affordable because they’re less desirable. A few months ago, I booked a red-eye flight with American Airlines from Buenos Aires to New York, and it saved me almost 30% compared to flights during the day. It wasn’t the most comfortable experience, but the money saved made it totally worth it.
9. Using VPNs for Better Pricing
Here’s one that you might not know: using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can sometimes get you better prices on flights. On one occasion, I was looking for a flight from Buenos Aires to New York, and when I switched my VPN location to the U.S., the prices were significantly lower than when I was browsing from Argentina. This trick isn’t foolproof, but it’s always worth trying when I’m seeing high prices on American Airlines or United.
10. The Best Deals Aren’t Always from the Big Airlines
I’ve also discovered that some of the best deals come from smaller, less-known carriers. JetBlue and Silver Airways often offer much cheaper flights within the U.S. and to the Caribbean, especially if you're flexible with your dates and times. These carriers are lesser-known, but their routes are often just as reliable as the bigger ones, and the savings are worth it. I’ve flown JetBlue from New York to Fort Lauderdale several times for a fraction of the price that larger airlines charge.
Patience, Flexibility, and Research Are Key
The key to scoring the best flight deals is patience, flexibility, and a bit of savvy research. Over the years, I’ve become more and more confident in my ability to spot good deals, whether it’s through comparing flights on various websites or setting up price alerts to get notified of drops. The money I’ve saved on airfare has allowed me to spend more on experiences, whether it’s exploring new cities or upgrading my travel gear.
I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me. With the right tools and a little bit of strategy, you’ll be able to travel more for less—especially with airlines like American Airlines, United, JetBlue, and Silver Airways, which I love flying with. Happy travels!