8 Strategies for Finding the Best Deals on Airline Tickets
Scoring affordable airfare requires more than just luck—it demands strategy. This guide presents eight proven methods to cut costs on flights, backed by insights from industry professionals. Learn how to combine alert systems, flexible scheduling, and insider knowledge to secure the lowest prices available.
Pair Alerts And Flexible Dates
As someone who travels frequently for real estate investment opportunities across Ontario and beyond, I use price tracking alerts combined with flexible booking to secure the best airline deals. I set up Google Flights price tracking for my common routes and wait for the price drop notifications rather than booking immediately when I know I need to travel. What makes this particularly effective is building flexibility into my schedule—I'll often schedule property viewings and investor meetings around when I receive a significant price alert rather than booking around fixed dates. For example, if I'm planning to view properties in Vancouver, I'll set alerts 2-3 months out and book when prices drop 30-40%, then schedule my property tours around those dates. I also leverage credit card points strategically by using a business travel card for all company expenses, which earns points that convert to free flights for additional trips. This combined approach has reduced our annual travel costs by approximately 45% compared to our first year in business when we booked reactively.
Blend Skyscanner Insights Plus Agents
My primary strategy for securing the best airline deals combines Skyscanner's "Whole Month" view with a private network of IATA-accredited travel agents.
The Hybrid Approach:
The Digital Scout (Skyscanner): I never search for specific dates initially. I use Skyscanner's "Whole Month" tool to identify the cheapest patterns for my route (e.g., flying Tuesday to Tuesday in mid-November is 40% cheaper than Friday to Sunday). This gives me a baseline "market price."
The Human Closer (Agent Network): Once I identify the target flight and price on Skyscanner, I don't book it there. Instead, I send that screenshot to my trusted travel agent contacts. Because they access GDS (Global Distribution Systems) and consolidator fares not visible to public search engines, they can often beat the online price by 5-10% or, more importantly, hold the fare for 24 hours without payment, a flexibility apps don't offer.
Why It's Effective:
Apps are great for discovery, but agents are superior for fulfillment on complex or high-value routes. Skyscanner shows me when to fly; my agents get me access to bulk fares, student fares (if applicable to team members), or "marine/offshore" rates that algorithms filter out. This one-two punch consistently saves me 15-20% over standard online booking while adding a layer of human support for changes.
Know Route Patterns And True Floors
One strategy I use to consistently get the best deals on airline tickets is tracking "route-based price patterns" instead of tracking specific travel dates. Most people watch a single itinerary and hope the fare drops. I reverse the process by monitoring how a route behaves over time—its usual low point, high point, and weekly volatility.
Using tools that show historical pricing, I identify the normal low range for a route (for example, $180-$240 round-trip). Then, instead of guessing, I set alerts to trigger only when fares dip into that proven range. This prevents me from buying during artificial price spikes and keeps emotion out of the decision.
This approach is effective because airlines price routes based on demand cycles, not traveler intent, and route patterns tend to repeat year after year. Once you know the true floor for a route, every price becomes easier to interpret—what looks like a "deal" might actually be above average, and what looks random is often predictable.
It's the closest thing to removing luck from airfare shopping.
Albert Richer, Founder, WhatAreTheBest.com
Pay In Cheaper Foreign Currency
Airlines sometimes price the same seat differently by currency. A weak local currency can make a fare cheaper when paid in that money. Many airline sites let buyers choose currency at checkout, which makes these gaps visible. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee to avoid extra costs.
Check the exchange rate and final total after all taxes to see the true value. Keep a screenshot of the quoted price in case the rate changes during payment. Toggle the currency on the airline site and do the math before you pay.
Switch Locales Via A VPN
Prices for the same flight can change based on the website’s country version. Airlines and online agents often set fares for each market, so another region may show a lower price. A VPN lets the browser appear in a different country, which can unlock those market fares. Be sure to check rules about residency, payment limits, and baggage, as some sites require local cards.
Clear cookies or use private mode so past searches do not raise prices. When the total cost looks right, book on the site that gives the best value. Use a VPN to view several country sites and pick the lowest final price before you buy.
Unlock Savings With Strategic Stopovers
Adding a stopover can lower the cost of a long trip while also breaking the journey. Some carriers price long-haul routes cheaper when the trip is split at a hub for a day or more. A multi-city search tool can reveal these fares better than a simple round-trip search. Savings often appear on routes with many airlines competing through the same hub.
Check visa rules, transit policies, and any extra airport taxes tied to longer stays. Confirm minimum connection times if the stop is short. Try a multi-city search and test a stopover of a day or two.
Beat Round Trips Through Split Tickets
Booking separate one-way tickets can beat a round-trip fare, especially on routes with strong competition. Mixing airlines on each leg can unlock better schedules and lower prices. If the trip needs a connection, plan a longer gap because separate tickets do not protect missed links. Check baggage rules, since each airline may charge different fees and may not transfer bags between airlines.
Add travel protection if a delay could cause a missed second flight. Run the numbers with taxes and fees before paying. Price two one-way tickets and compare them to a round-trip before you decide.
Access Exclusive Student Or Military Portals
Special portals for students, military members, and employees can unlock fares that do not show on public sites. These programs may offer lower base prices, extra baggage, or looser change rules. Access often requires proof like a school email, a service ID, or a company login. Some deals have blackout dates or booking windows, so timing still matters.
The fare rules can differ from standard tickets, so read change and refund terms with care. Compare portal prices to public fares to make sure the discount is real. Check your eligibility and log in to the right portal before you search.