Thursday, June 19, 2025
As summer travel picks up, airfare prices can often feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to maximize your travel budget and still score a great deal. Recent data reveals that flight prices are down by 7% compared to last summer, with certain international routes seeing reductions of up to 23%. However, to make the most of these savings, it’s important to know how to shop for flights strategically.
In this article, we’ll share eight expert tips to help you secure cheap flights this summer. From setting up price alerts to knowing when to book and how to work with airline sales, these tips will guide you through the process of finding the lowest fares. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or an international adventure, these tricks will help you stretch your budget and make the most out of your summer travel.
1. Set Price Alerts to Track Fare Changes
Tracking airfare prices can be frustrating with constantly fluctuating rates, but setting up price alerts is one of the easiest ways to monitor fare drops. Using tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper, you can set alerts for specific routes or dates, and the system will notify you when prices fall within your target range.
This saves you the headache of manually checking prices multiple times a day and ensures that you don’t miss out on any deals. Price alerts are especially useful when planning trips in advance, as they help you make a purchase when prices are at their lowest.
2. Sign Up for Flight Deal Newsletters
Another smart way to find deals is by subscribing to flight deal newsletters. There are several resources like Going, Thrifty Traveler, Airfare Spot, and Airfarewatchdog, which provide the best travel deals based on your preferences, such as your home airport, travel dates, or region.
These newsletters often send out information on sales, mistake fares, and last-minute deals that may not be widely advertised. Signing up for these free (or low-cost) services can increase your chances of discovering amazing flight deals that fit your travel needs.
3. Time Your Trip Correctly
When it comes to flight deals, timing can make all the difference. Avoiding the busiest travel periods can help you save money and secure lower fares. Traveling during off-peak times—whether that’s avoiding the summer holiday rush or opting for quieter weeks in the spring or fall—will significantly cut costs.
For example, traveling to Europe in late August or early September, instead of peak summer months, can save you hundreds of dollars. Additionally, flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically yields cheaper fares compared to weekends, as most people travel on Fridays and Sundays.
4. Shop in Advance—but Not Too Far
When booking flights, timing is key. Experts suggest the best window for booking domestic flights is one to three months in advance, while international flights are best booked two to eight months ahead. Booking too early can sometimes lead to higher fares, and booking too late can result in higher prices, especially during peak seasons.
If you’re traveling during a busy time, consider booking a little earlier than usual to lock in lower prices. For example, domestic flights typically drop in price around 44 days before departure, while international routes, especially to Europe, show the best deals around 50 to 179 days in advance.
5. Keep an Eye Out for Mistake Fares
Sometimes, airlines make pricing mistakes that result in extremely low fares. These “mistake fares” occur when airlines accidentally list flights at a much lower price than usual, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. While rare, they do happen—and when they do, you’ll want to act fast.
To increase your chances of finding a mistake fare, set up price alerts and subscribe to flight deal newsletters, as they often highlight these unexpected deals. If you spot one, book quickly. You typically have 24 hours to cancel for a full refund if you change your mind.
6. Learn How to Take Advantage of Airline Sales
Airline sales can seem enticing, but securing the advertised low prices can be tricky. To make the most of these sales, be flexible with your travel dates and routes. Airline sales often focus on specific destinations or travel dates, so if you can adjust your plans slightly, you may snag a deal.
Also, don’t forget to compare prices across different airlines. When one airline launches a sale, others often follow suit and drop their prices as well. Checking competitor prices ensures you’re not missing out on the best offer.
7. Stalk Prices After You Book
Once you’ve booked your flight, the savings don’t have to stop. You may still be able to save money even after booking by monitoring prices for a potential refund. Many airlines dropped change and cancellation fees during the pandemic, making it easier to adjust your booking without incurring penalties.
If you notice that the price of your flight drops after booking, you can cancel and rebook your flight at the lower price. Some travel tools, like Google Flights, offer price guarantees, paying you the difference if the price goes down after your purchase.
8. Skip the Skip-Lagging (Hidden-City Ticketing)
While the idea of skip-lagging—booking a flight with a layover city as your final destination—might seem like a clever way to save, it’s not without risks. Airlines generally frown upon this tactic, and using it could result in your entire itinerary being canceled.
Skip-lagging is a strategy where you book a flight with a layover and exit the plane at the layover city, avoiding the final leg of the journey. While this may work in some cases, it violates most airlines’ terms of service, and you could face penalties. It’s best to avoid this tactic to protect your future travel plans and avoid unnecessary complications.
Maximizing Your Savings: Final Thoughts
With summer right around the corner, using these expert tips can help you secure the lowest possible airfare and make the most of your travel budget. From setting price alerts to knowing the best time to book, these strategies will increase your chances of landing great deals. By planning ahead and staying flexible, you can ensure that your summer travels are both enjoyable and affordable.
Don’t forget to use digital tools, sign up for deal newsletters, and keep an eye on prices after booking to continue saving even after you’ve secured your ticket. With these tricks, you’ll be well on your way to finding cheap flights and having an amazing summer vacation.
