How to find cheap flights in 2023: the WorldRemit guide

1. Book your flight in advance

So you’ve decided that you absolutely have to fly to Rome, Sydney or Manila tomorrow. You may well be able to find a flight, but you will pay a premium for the short notice. That’s because airline fares keep rising the closer you get to departure. The ideal time to book and find the cheapest flight possible is around 2-3 months before you want to travel, or 5 months if you're going at peak season.

2. Be flexible in terms of dates

If you’re set on the dates you want to travel, you should be aware that it will restrict your options for finding cheaper flights. So, it’s best to be as flexible as possible. Simply by changing your tentative travel dates, you can often make huge savings.

Many third party websites offer you filters that enable you to select -/+1,-/+2, -/+3 days to see the cheapest times. Plus, Google Flights also offers the option to find the cheapest possible flights, selecting flexible dates for example for a 1 week trip in the next 6 months. It also has the option of seeing all the prices for different dates in one go.

3. Use price comparison and flight search sites

A good way to find cheaper flights is to look at price comparison and flight search sites websites. They’ll enable you to quickly scan all airlines at one glance, finding the cheapest flights for your destination. In general, they’ll help you compare prices across multiple airlines, and find the cheapest flight possible.

But, as there are a number of sites, it’s well worth checking a few of them to ensure you are getting the best possible deals. Remember, they often offer better deals than the airlines themselves. Here are a few worth looking at:

• Skyscanner

• Momondo

• Kayak

• Expedia

Google Flights is also an excellent flight comparison site.

4. Scan the map with Google Flights

An excellent way to find the cheapest flight is to scan the map on Google Flights. It will show the cheapest destinations around the world.

Simply put in your departure airport and leave the destination open (or select a region, country, or state) and the map will populate with all your options. You can search selected dates, or browse weekend, one-week, or two-week trips in the next six months.

5. Consider alternative airports

Although it’s more convenient to fly from the airport closest to home, you may find cheaper flights from airports further afield - airports that are just a cheap bus or train ride away. It may take more time and effort, but make sure you add up all the expenses when choosing another airport - it could well be cheaper.

6. Avoid peak travel times

Christmas. Thanksgiving. Dahsain. Diwali. New Year and the school holidays. If you have to travel at these peak times of year then, of course, you must. But in terms of finding cheap flights they’re best avoided, as the demand for flights is just so high at these times. Fridays and Sundays are also more expensive days to fly. So, as always, the guideline to booking cheaper flights is to be as flexible and open-minded about travel dates as possible.

7. Set up airfare alerts

Know exactly where and when you want to travel? Many of the airlines and sites like Kayak or Google Flights allow you to set up airfare alerts, so that you get notified if the fare drops below the current price. This only really works well if you have a specific location and dates.

8. Sign up for airline newsletters

If you’re a frequent flyer with one airline, or have a specific destination in mind, it’s well worth signing up for airline newsletters. They often send out exclusive deals and promotional offers to their customers.

9. Consider layovers and stopovers

Of course, it’s less tiring and more convenient to fly directly to your destination. But it isn’t always the cheapest option. Flights with layovers and stopovers are a good way of saving money. But remember, if you’re booking a stopover make sure you have at least 3 hours between flights, in case there are any delays.

Plus, if you’re looking at stopovers, make sure you calculate the difference in cost between needing to book a hotel and stopover with a direct flight. If you do go for a stopover, why not consider a one or two day visit in the city you are stopping in?  It’s a pleasant way to extend your trip.

10. Take to the air on a Wednesday

Google Flights found that the cheapest days to fly are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays  - with Wednesday and Thursday the cheapest for international flights. Wednesday is particularly good, with an overall saving as much as 15%-20%.  Timewise, you can make some real savings if you’re prepared to fly as early as 5am or 6am.

The best day to book a cheap flight is Sunday, with up to 20% in savings. Remember, the cheapest day to book is not the same as the cheapest day to actually fly.

11. Go budget

Budget airlines mainly operate regionally, so it’s really easy to find a cheap flight with them, even during this time of higher prices. If you’re travelling longer distances, you can use these budget airlines for stopovers in another country, or city.

Here are some examples of budget airlines across the world:

• Europe: Easyjet, Eurowings,  Norwegian Air, Ryanair, Transavia, Vueling, Wizz Air

• US: Allegiant Air, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest

• Canada: Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat, Flair Airlines, Porter, Swoop, Sunwing, WestJet

• Asia: IndiGo, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Hong Kong Express, Jeju Air, Lion Air, Nok Air, Peach Air, Scoot, Spice Jet, Spring Airlines,  T’Way Airlines, VietJet Air

• Australia: JetStar

• Middle East: Air Arabia, flyDubai, Pegasus  

12. Join an airline rewards program

If you fly back to your home country frequently in a year,  or simply travel a lot, then it’s well worth thinking of joining an airline rewards or frequent flyer program. It’s one way of finding cheap flights. The program that best suits you will depend on your own travel behaviour, where you live, your credit card spending, and your expectations (e.g. loyalty benefits, easy award bookings, or number of airline partners).

Here are just a few programs worth looking at:

AADVANTAGE (AMERICAN AIRLINES)

AAdvantage American Airlines is the largest frequent flyer program with a reported membership of more than 100 million. For decades, AAdvantage was by far the best and most rewarding loyalty program. It was not only for American citizens living near the American Airlines hubs of Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, but also for travellers based outside the USA.

EXECUTIVE CLUB (BRITISH AIRWAYS)

British Airways’ tiered loyalty program is called the Executive Club and was launched in 1995. In 2011, following its merger with Iberia, it created a distinct reward currency, Avios. This program offers members of the frequent flyer programs of British Airways and Iberia thousands of ways to earn and redeem Avios for flights, hotels, and even travel experiences.

FLYING BLUE (KLM-AIR FRANCE)

When KLM and Air France merged in 2005, their frequent flyer programs were merged into a new loyalty program called Flying Blue. Most airlines within the Air France-KLM family now use Flying Blue, including Kenya Airways, Aircalin and Tarom. More than 100,000 new members sign up for Flying Blue each month, making it one of the most popular loyalty programs in the world

Life abroad with WorldRemit

At WorldRemit, we’re all about keeping you connected with those you love and care for. So if, while you’re away on your travels, you need to send money home, we can help with our reliable, low-cost money transfer service. It allows you to send money fast and securely, in a number of ways, from our website or app.

Send money today

Plus, if you’re Interested in learning more about living or travelling abroad, take a look at our blog for a selection of helpful and informative insights.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.