Airfare remains one of the biggest travel expenses, and prices can feel unpredictable. The good news? Many of the tried-and-true strategies for finding flight deals still work in 2025—sometimes with a modern twist. From flexible date searches to knowing when to book, here are the flight deal hacks that continue to deliver real savings.
1. Be Flexible With Dates
Airlines use dynamic pricing that shifts daily. By moving your trip by just a few days, you can often save hundreds.
How to do it in 2025:
- Use Google Flights Explore or Skyscanner’s “cheapest month” tool to see flexible date ranges.
- Midweek departures (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) remain consistently cheaper.
- Avoid Sunday returns—one of the most expensive travel days.
Savings Example: A round trip from New York to Paris might cost $900 on a Friday departure but only $620 leaving on a Wednesday.
2. Set Fare Alerts
Flight deals disappear quickly. Setting alerts ensures you don’t miss the lowest fares.
Best tools in 2025:
- Hopper: Predicts when prices will rise or fall.
- Skyscanner Alerts: Tracks specific routes.
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights): Emails mistake fares and flash sales.
Pro Tip: Set multiple alerts for nearby airports—sometimes flying from a secondary hub can save hundreds.
3. Use Points and Miles Strategically
Even with rising redemption costs, credit card points and airline miles are still powerful.
Smart uses in 2025:
- Transferable currencies (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles) provide flexibility across airline partners.
- Sweet spots: Short-haul flights under 750 miles often cost fewer points.
- Hybrid tickets: Book one leg with cash and the other with miles.
Example: A New York to Miami flight for $29 (Spirit) is better paid in cash, while a $750 Tokyo flight is ideal for points.
4. Embrace Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) continue to expand in 2025.
Why they’re worth considering:
- Ultra-cheap fares ($20–$50 within Europe or Asia).
- Long-haul budget options with carriers like Norse Atlantic or AirAsia X.
What to watch for:
- Hidden baggage and seat selection fees.
- Remote airports requiring long transfers.
Hack: Travel light with only a personal item to unlock the best deals.
5. Book at the Right Time
The old “Tuesday at midnight” myth is dead, but timing still matters.
Current wisdom (2025):
- Domestic flights: Book 1–3 months in advance.
- International flights: Book 3–6 months in advance.
- Peak holidays: Lock in tickets 6–9 months ahead.
Pro Tip: Use Google Flights’ “price tracking” to confirm if fares are high, low, or typical.
6. Check Alternative Airports
Flying into or out of nearby airports can save you serious money.
Examples:
- Fly into Brussels instead of Paris.
- Use Oakland instead of San Francisco.
- Try Gatwick or Stansted instead of Heathrow.
Pair savings with cheap regional trains or buses to reach your final destination.
7. Look for Hidden-City and Open-Jaw Tickets
Hidden-city ticketing (booking a longer flight but exiting at the layover city) still works, though airlines dislike it.
Example: Booking NYC → Madrid → Paris might be cheaper than a direct NYC → Madrid flight.
Open-jaw tickets: Fly into one city and out of another to avoid costly backtracking.
Caution: Hidden-city ticketing only works with carry-on luggage—your checked bags will continue to the final destination.
8. Consider Stopovers
Airlines often allow free or cheap stopovers in their hub cities.
Examples:
- Icelandair offers stopovers in Reykjavik at no extra cost.
- Turkish Airlines promotes free Istanbul stopovers with hotel included.
- TAP Portugal offers Lisbon stopovers up to 5 days.
Stopovers give you an extra mini-vacation without paying more for flights.
9. Use VPNs and Currency Tricks
Airfare pricing sometimes varies by region. Searching from a different country can reveal lower fares.
How to try it:
- Use a VPN to search flights from different countries.
- Pay in local currencies when it’s cheaper (check credit card foreign transaction fees first).
Example: Booking Qatar Airways from India may show lower fares than searching from the U.S.
10. Follow Deal Communities
Crowdsourced communities help uncover limited-time deals and mistake fares.
Best in 2025:
- FlyerTalk Forums
- Reddit r/Flights
- Secret Flying
- Airfarewatchdog
These communities often spot deals before airlines fix pricing errors.
11. Bundle Flights with Hotels or Cars
Sometimes, vacation package sites undercut standalone flight prices.
Examples:
- Expedia and Priceline “flight + hotel” bundles.
- Costco Travel deals for members.
Even if you don’t use the hotel, packages sometimes cost less than flights alone.
Sample Savings in 2025
- Los Angeles → Tokyo: Regular fare $1,200; found on sale for $650 via Norse Atlantic.
- London → Rome: Ryanair flash sale $19 vs. $120 legacy fare.
- Chicago → Cancun: $310 on United; $180 bundled with a 3-night hotel stay.
Final Thoughts
Finding flight deals in 2025 is part art, part science. The core hacks—flexible dates, alerts, budget carriers, and points—still work.
Your strategy for cheap flights:
- Stay flexible with dates and airports.
- Set alerts and track prices.
- Use points strategically for long-haul.
- Leverage budget airlines and stopover deals.
- Explore communities and bundles for hidden savings.
With the right tools and a little patience, you’ll never overpay for airfare again.