Today we’re sharing our best tips and tricks for getting incredible flight deals. Don’t pay more than you need to just to get to the next place on your bucket list! Join us for this quick overview of tips and ideas for your next big trip.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Be Flexible

Your luggage, travel time, layovers, when you book, and your flexibility in dates all make a huge difference. Using the ± feature when you book is a game changer!

The more of these factors you have, the cheaper deals available. (If you aren’t willing to compromise on these factors, your airfare might be more).

• Light luggage (carry on or less)
• Flight booked in advance (3-8 months)
• Extra time invested in searching for flights
• Long travel time (getting from A to B) 
• Flexible start and end dates

Get Help From A Professional

Signing up for a service (you can choose a free version or upgrade to premium) with a company that does all the research for you.

One of our favorites is Scott’s Cheap Flights. You can sign up for a free subscription too. Once you’ve tested it out, you can upgrade to premium to get more of the deals.

Other options include:

• Cheap Fly Club
• I Know The Pilot 
• Matt’s Flights
• Pomelo
• Flights from Home (out of SLC & Vegas)
• Hopper app

Use The Right Tools

If you want to do all the finding and booking yourself, here are some great resources:

• Kiwi.com
• Skyscanner
• Google Flights
• Kayak
• Momondo
• Southwest (their flights don’t show up in general search engines like Expedia, Orbitz, etc.)
• Allegiant Airlines (for cheap flights from cities like Salt Lake City to main hubs like LA, Seattle, etc.)

Think Outside The Box

Most people start with fairly precise dates and destination and book from there. To save a ton on your flight, book it backwards! Also, many people look for a flight directly from A to B. Many times, you can save lots of money by booking nearby and then taking a short flight or even train to your final destination. As Scott’s Cheap Flights puts it, “cross the ocean as cheaply as possible!”

Follow these steps:

1. See what cheap fares are available to the overall area in your general time frame
2. Use the “flexible dates” search feature (usually something like ±3 days, which means you can start plus or minus 3 days from the date selected)
3. Figure out the small connections to get you to your final destination
4. Don’t rule out trains/buses!

Enjoy A Detour (Or Two)

• It doesn’t always matter to get to your final destination right away
• Once you’re in Europe (or in the general area), it can be very cheap to get little ​flights to and from main cities
• You can also save money and see something you didn’t plan on!
• It might take longer, but have an open mind and you’ll have an adventure along the way 🙂

P.S. You can also consider using a credit card

• Although we advocate for using cash as much as possible, there are times when a card is necessary. Booking your flight is one of these times!
• Personally, we prefer debit cards because we hate credit card debt and interest rates.
• However, you may want to consider a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, since that can save you a lot of money when you book your flight and while you’re abroad
  • Here is a list of credit card options, but buyer beware! Many of them have annual fees (avoid these like the plague!). The one we’d recommend from this list is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It has no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, and the $95 annual fee is waived the first year.

Thanks for joining! Hope this helps you save $$ when you book your next trip!

If you liked the tips in this video, you’ll really enjoy these:

• What to Pack When You’re a World Traveler — Check out our list of essentials for your next international travel! Since we can’t travel right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning out the details for the next trip is the next best thing.
• These 7 Ways to Document Your Travels are super helpful! Since we’ve got more time on our hands at home, it’s time to clear out that memorabilia and store it in a way that sparks joy!