Vacationing on a budget? Here's how you can save on airline tickets

The key to buying the cheapest airline ticket isn't going to be found through a magic formula. There are many different considerations you need to keep in mind before booking your flight, so you can rest easy knowing you got the best deal. 

Finding a good deal is going to take strategy and research to secure a low rate. Getting low airfare also has a lot to do with when your trip is and where you are going. Certain destinations and times of year are far busier than others, making it challenging to find affordable tickets. 

Whether it be a certain hour of the day or utilizing technology to do the price monitoring for you, there is an assortment of strategies you can try for an optimum price point and travel experience.

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Here are tips travel experts swear by for securing the best flight.

It’s no secret that timing is of the essence when you’re booking a flight. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, the earlier you book the better.

"Midday flights tend to always be more expensive compared to a red-eye or early morning flight time. The reason for this is simply because most travelers don’t want to fly through the night or at the crack of dawn, which is understandable," said Tom Spagnola, senior vice president of supplier relation at CheapOair.

He added, "If you can sacrifice those precious hours of sleep, book a late night or early morning flight to save on airfare as well – airports will be emptier, too, which means shorter security lines."

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If you are taking an early morning or late night flight, don't forget essentials like a blanket and travel pillow so you can try to get some rest during your travels. 

The same way the time of day makes a difference in airline rates, the actual day you choose to travel plays a role in how much cash you’ll be shelling out.

"Based on experience, I’ve noticed that traveling on nonpeak days can help you avoid upcharges and overcrowding. If possible, try traveling on actual holidays, when prices can be 50% cheaper," said Lee Abbamonte, a travel expert at Bank of America. "Alternately, you can get good deals when you travel early, before the holiday and or stay a few extra days after."

Conversely, Abbamonte advised travelers who have remote work opportunities to maximize their stays so they can depart on a cheaper flight day.

"Combining nonpeak travel days and flying into airport hubs is another way to get great deals when flying," he added.

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According to a study done by CheapAir.com, the cheapest day to travel in 2023 was Wednesday, and the second-least expensive was Tuesday. On the other hand, Sunday was found as the most expensive day to travel. 

Experts typically advise travelers to book their flights months in advance. However, there are some who believe last-minute bookings offer deals that are better than the ones people can get with advanced purchases.

Slickdeals’ Senior Travel Editor Liam Fitzpatrick is one of the experts who says last-minute bookings could yield cheaper deals for fliers.

"The best time to book a domestic flight is around two to three weeks in advance," Fitzpatrick said. "If you're brave and have flexible plans, last-minute flight deals, the day of or the day before, can also net you some great prices."

For international travel, Fitzpatrick noted that the "best time to book is usually six months beforehand."

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One aspect to consider with last-minute flights is the destination and time you are traveling. If you are traveling during a peak month, like July, for example, booking at the last minute could be risky.

If you are traveling to a very busy location, this is another reason to secure your seats early, or if there are limited flights to that destination. While this could save you money, you could also end up without a ticket. 

"To actually find the best time to fly if you know your route and dates of travel, subscribe to Google Flight tracking alerts," said Sally French, a credit card expert at Wirecutter.

Alternatively, she suggested travelers look into and subscribe to deal websites in the early vacation planning stages.

Outside meticulous price watching, French also recommended travelers book a flight through the Southwest Travel Funds program, which offers some of the cheapest fare classes. If a cancellation does occur under this program, a traveler can reschedule a flight for up to 12 months in the future for the complete cost of the original ticket.

"Why worry about saving $10 by booking on a Tuesday vs. a Monday when you can save hundreds of dollars in other places," French added. "There are credit cards out there that can get you tons of miles to pay for your flights, whether you go for an airline-specific card or a general travel card that allows you to transfer points into airline miles programs."

Compare, compare, compare. Different airlines could offer different prices. When looking for inexpensive options, you can't be super picky about the airline itself. 

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Do research on the different airlines and figure out where you can get the most for your money. 

All airlines have different policies, which can lead to pricey fees. Be sure to read the fine print of your reservation to avoid paying more than you need to. 

Some airlines allow you to bring a free checked bag with the purchase of a ticket, others do not. Certain airlines charge guests to pick their own seat, but for others, that option is free. 

Optimizing your packing can also save you cash. For example, if an airline lets you bring a carry-on and personal item but makes you pay for your first checked bag, don't bring one unless you absolutely have to. Remember, you'll have to pay for that checked back on the way there and again on your way home.

If you are willing to sacrifice convenience for cash back in your pocket, consider a connecting flight.

Connecting flights are traditionally cheaper than direct flights, but problems could arise. If you have a connecting flight, make sure your layover is long enough that you have plenty of time to get to your next flight.