How to Find Cheap Flights: The Airfare Hacks That Still Work
The search habits, timing and routing tricks that move the fare, ranked by what they save, and the myths that do not.
Start herePay less for every flight.
Pick a hack
Six tricks worth knowing before you search for your next flight.
When to bookHow many days ahead to book each kind of trip, this season's holiday booking dates, and why the day you click buy barely matters.Hidden city ticketingWhy getting off at the layover can cost less, what airline contracts let them do when you skip a flight, and the safer tricks that get you to the same city.Google FlightsThe Google Flights views that find the cheapest dates and destinations, step by step.The 24-hour ruleWho the US rule covers, the 7-day catch, what Delta, American, JetBlue and Southwest give back, and how to rebook a cheaper fare.Error faresHow mistake fares happen, how to tell one from a sale, how to book one fast, and what US rules and airline contracts say if the airline wants it back.Open-jaw ticketsFly into one city and home from another on one ticket: how to price it against a round trip and two one-ways, book it, and avoid the traps.
More hacks
Editor’s picks
The guides to read before you book anything.
Cheap flights
Best Time to Book Flights: Day, Weeks Ahead and Season
How many days ahead to book each kind of trip, this season's holiday booking dates, and why the day you click buy barely matters.
Booking rules
Refundable vs Non-Refundable Flights: What You Actually Get Back
Cash refunds, credits and change fees, and when paying for a refundable fare makes sense.
Ticket tricks
Free Stopover Programs: Airlines That Let You Stop for Days
10 airlines that turn a connection in their hub into days in the city: how long you can stay, what is free, and how to add the stop when you book.
Booking rules
Is Basic Economy Worth It? When the Cheapest Fare Costs More
Seats, bags, changes and boarding on the cheapest fare type, and who should skip it.
Ticket tricks
Self-Transfer Flights: How They Work and How to Protect Yourself
Connecting on separate tickets: how much layover time to leave, what happens to your bags, and who pays when the first flight runs late.
Cheap flights
Red-Eye Flights: When Flying Overnight Saves You Money
Overnight departures, what they cost against daytime flights, and how to sleep on one.
New to airfare hacks?
Read these five in order. They cover how fares are priced, when to search, and the one rule that lets you book now and change your mind tomorrow.
Get startedBooking rules in three numbers
The rules that decide what you can cancel, change or claim after you book.
The 24-hour rule24 hoursto cancel a US booking for a full refund, if you booked at least 7 days before departure.Fare classes1 letteron your ticket, the fare class, decides the price you pay and what you can change.Getting bumpedUp to 4xthe one-way fare, owed when a US airline bumps you against your will, up to a cap.