Flights are often one of the biggest costs when planning a trip. But with the right strategies, you can often save considerable amounts of money. Whether you travel regularly or are currently planning your next vacation, there are many useful tips and tricks for finding cheap flights. In this article, we’ll show you what to look out for and how you can book cheap flights through targeted timing, flexible search methods, and a few tricks.

• 1. Flexibility is key
• 2. The best time to book
• 3. Use search engines cleverly
• 4. Check airports and alternative routes
• 5. Use loyalty programs and miles
• 6. Consider low-cost airlines
• 7. Book flights with vouchers and discounts
• 8. Consider cancellation and rebooking options
• Conclusion: Book cheap flights

1. Flexibility is key

One of the most important factors when booking flights is flexibility. A little flexibility with both travel dates and the departure airport or destination can often save you a lot of money.

Flexible travel dates:

• Weekday flights are generally cheaper than weekend flights. Tuesday and Wednesday, in particular, are often considered the cheapest days to travel.
• Avoid peak season and holiday periods to avoid inflated prices. Early morning or late evening flights are also often cheaper.
• Use the “Flexible Dates” filter on flight booking platforms to find the cheapest travel days within your desired time period.

Tip: Use tools like the “Price Alert” on flight booking sites or apps like Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Momondo to stay informed when prices for certain routes drop. Also, subscribe to the newsletters of the various websites and airlines so you don’t miss out on any discounts.

2. The best time to book

Finding the perfect time to book can be tricky. However, there are a few rules of thumb that can help you find the best price for your flight.

When to book flights:

• International flights: usually cheapest 6 to 8 weeks before departure
• Domestic flights: usually cheapest 2 to 3 weeks before departure
• Often cheap deals at the beginning of the week (Monday and Tuesday from 6 p.m.)
• It is best to book flights at the beginning of the year
• Flight bookings in May and June are most expensive
• Long-haul flights are best booked in November, December or January.

3. Use search engines cleverly

Flight search engines such as Skyscanner*, Kayak, Momondo or Google Flights are good tools for getting an overview of the cheapest flights. However, each platform can display slightly different prices, so it’s worth comparing several.

Tips for searching for flights:

• Use your browser’s incognito mode to avoid flight prices increasing due to repeated searches. Some websites increase prices when they notice that you are searching for the same route multiple times. It is also worth deleting old cookies from your browser.
• Use the map function of Google Flights or Kayak to see which destinations around the world are the cheapest if you are flexible about your destination.

Special pages for cheap flights & Deals:

• Fly4free
• Flynous
• Travel Dealz
• Secret Flying
• Urlaubspiraten
• MyDealz

Be on the lookout for so-called Error Fares. These arise from incorrect entries in a provider’s booking system. It’s quite possible that a flight that should actually cost €1,200 is suddenly offered for just €280. In moments like these, you have to act quickly! We’ve already flown to Belize in the Caribbean for just €250 round trip and to Canada for just €160 round trip. Crazy, right?

4. Check airports and alternative routes

Large international airports often offer cheaper flights than smaller regional airports. It can be worth traveling a little further to fly from a larger airport.

Connecting flights can also significantly reduce the price. While a direct flight is super convenient, it usually costs more. We actually prefer the option with a stopover, as this allows you to experience something along the way (e.g., a stopover in Abu Dhabi).

Alternative routes:

• Check whether a multi-leg flight (one-way to one destination, return from another) is cheaper than a round-trip flight from the same airport.
• Connecting flights often saves money. Non-stop flights are generally more expensive, while flights with a stopover can be significantly cheaper.

For example, you want to go to New York, but it’s just too expensive? Have you ever checked out the “Oslo – New York – London” option? That’s just one of the many multi-leg flight options available online. Or start from Munich and fly back via Frankfurt – maybe this combination will be cheaper too. You just have to invest a little time and experiment.

5. Use loyalty programs and miles

If you fly often, you should definitely use a frequent flyer program. Airlines like Lufthansa, Emirates, or Delta offer programs that allow you to collect miles. These can be used on future flights to receive discounts or even book free flights.

Book flights & Collect miles:

• Sign up for the frequent flyer program of your favorite airline or alliance (e.g., Star Alliance or SkyTeam).
• Use credit cards (e.g., Amex) with mileage programs, which often offer additional points for flights or hotel bookings.
• Also collect Payback points, which you can convert into award miles.

6. Consider low-cost airlines

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air often offer significantly cheaper tickets than major airlines. While these flights often come with additional baggage or seat selection fees, they can be a very cost-effective option for short-haul flights or traveling light.

Tips for low-cost airlines:

• Be sure to check all additional charges (such as baggage fees or seat selection) in advance to avoid any nasty surprises.
• Travel with only hand luggage (if possible) to save on fees.
• Recommendation: We always travel with our capital suitcase*

7. Book flights with vouchers & discounts

Some travel platforms or airlines regularly offer vouchers or discount codes that you can use when booking. Credit card companies also occasionally offer discounts or refunds when you book with their card.

Discount opportunities:

• Always check for current coupon codes for the airline or booking platform before booking.
• Credit cards like the American Express Platinum often offer discounts on flights or additional insurance coverage.

8. Consider Cancellation and Rebooking Options

When booking your flights, pay attention to whether the flight is cancelable or rebookable. Especially in times of unforeseeable travel restrictions or flight cancellations, it can be a good idea to look for flexible booking options – even if they cost a little more.

Travel Warnings and Cancellations:

• Check the cancellation conditions and whether travel insurance is advisable.
• Use booking sites that offer flexible fares, such as Expedia or Booking.com.

Conclusion: Book Cheap Flights

If you want to book cheap flights, you should be flexible, use different search methods, and always pay attention to the right time to book. Whether through using flight search engines, checking alternative routes, or taking advantage of mileage programs, a little planning and research can often save you significant costs. Stay flexible and use all the tools at your disposal to find the best flight deal. Happy flying!