The #1 Way to Save on Airfare

Note: This story was originally written and published at Thrifty Traveler, a flight deal and travel website. It has been republished here with their permission. You can read the original story on the Flight First Rule on their website.

By Kyle Potter

Thrifty Traveler

Most travelers follow a similar script when planning any trip: Set the dates, pick a spot, book a hotel, book a flight, and go.

You’re doing it wrong: That’s a recipe to pay too much for flights almost every single time. But four simple words could help you significantly cut the cost of airfare every time you fly. And no, it’s not by clearing your cookies or booking flights on a Tuesday. This is even bigger than that.

We call it The Flight First Rule. And it’s exactly what it sounds like.

Instead of deciding on the dates of your trip before booking your flights, flip that familiar script on its head and start by searching for flights, letting the price guide you to the cheapest dates possible. It’s all about being as flexible as you can to save on flights – and trust us, it makes a big difference.

You might be shocked at how much you can save just by departing a day earlier or later than you initially planned. Or by traveling during cheaper seasons, you could save even more.

Big Savings in Action

First things first: You should be using Google Flights to search for airfare. The web giant’s airfare search engine is powerful and versatile, and there’s no better way to hone in on the cheapest dates for your flights.

That’s because Google Flights lets you scroll through months worth of flights, filtering based on your needs for baggage, avoiding basic economy, and more. With Google’s handy calendar view, it’s easy to visualize the cheapest days to travel on a given flight: they typically show up in bright green.
 

Let’s say you live in Minneapolis and want to head out to Portland for a week over the summer. If you decide on a week in early August leaving on a Friday, you’ll pay a heavy price for that nonstop flight. Don’t pay $400 or more for a quick domestic flight.
 

If your schedule is flexible – or you haven’t decided on when to go yet – check the calendar on Google Flights. You could go for a week in September instead … and save $160 per ticket.
 

But it doesn’t require a massive schedule change to save money. Sometimes, altering your trip by just a day or two can result in huge savings. In this case, moving the trip by just a day to depart and return on a Saturday (instead of a Friday) brings the price down again to $177 roundtrip.
 

By putting The Flight First Rule in action, you saved $240 on your flight. Those savings add up fast, especially if you’re booking flights for two or an entire family. Once you’ve booked your flights, that’s more money for a hotel, Airbnb, a nice restaurant, or whatever you’ve got in store. And if you’re planning a big international trip, the savings can be even more substantial.

This is just one example – we could go on with dozens and dozens of flights. But it clearly shows just how much you can cut your costs when starting your travel planning by searching for flights … and not by setting your schedule in stone first. 

Don’t worry about finding the right hotel or Airbnb until after you’ve got your flights booked. Or find your cheap flight first, research your lodging options around those dates, then book both.
 

Of course, this example won’t work for everyone. Vacation time is limited. Families, teachers, and everyday workers structure their trips around specific dates when school or work is out.

But whether your schedule is wide-open or more constrained, whether you can travel at any time or only shift your trip by a day or two, the savings by using the Flight First Rule are there. And they can be massive.

Can’t be flexible? Travel dates set in stone? Set a Google Flights Price Alert to get notified when the price of the flights you need drop!

The Principles of Cheap Flights

Follow the Flight First Rule, and you’re on the right track to saving on flights. And it’s always worth poking around on Google Flights, day by day, to see how much you can save on a trip you’ve got in mind.

But there are a few basics behind how airlines set pricing that can help guide you in the right direction:

• Avoid the peak summer, from roughly June 20 through Aug. 20. By traveling in the shoulder seasons – just before and after that span – you can often save a lot.
• That old saying you’ve heard about scoring the cheapest flight by booking on a Tuesday? Yeah, that’s not true. Read up on the best day to book flights – it’s not what you think.
• But there are cheaper days to fly. You’ll often find the best deals by departing and returning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. 
• See a great deal but not sure you can make it work? Book now, ask questions later thanks to the 24-hour rule, a federal law requiring a full refund for any flight within the U.S. if you cancel within 24 hours of booking. That should give you enough time to check in with your travel buddy or confirm you can take time away from work.
• Don’t book last-minute! Pandemic-aside, the days of cheap airfare weeks or days before departure are long gone. Your best bet is to book at least 30 to 45 days before departure to get the best deal – and even earlier for a big international flight.

Read our master guide on how to find cheap flights!

You can take things a step farther with this concept and save even more by being open to any destination if you’re willing to go wherever a cheap flight takes you. Want us to do the work for you? Get signed up for Thrifty Traveler Premium – we’ll send the cheapest domestic and international flights straight to your inbox.

Bottom Line

Finding a good deal on airfare isn’t rocket science. It all comes down to using the right tools and being flexible.

But the first and most important step that every traveler can employ is also the easiest: The Flight First Rule. Start your travel planning by searching for flights first – that’s all it takes.

If you’re open to changing plans even slightly, you could save a bundle.

Author Bio:

Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler. He joined the company in 2018 after spending years covering state and national politics for The Associated Press. He loves to help others understand the confusing world of travel, airlines, and points and miles.