The Best Way To Find Cheap Flights(Without Using A Shady Airline)

Gone are the days when booking a flight at exactly 10 AM on a Tuesday seven weeks in advance guaranteed the best deal. With airlines using algorithms and AI, prices change constantly, making it tricky to predict the best time to book. But don't worry! There are still ways to explore the world without breaking the bank.

1. Embrace Flexibility

Flexibility is your best friend when it comes to scoring affordable airfare without compromising on quality. The more flexible you are, the better your chances of finding great deals, like a flight from DFW to FCO for under $600. This might mean traveling during the off-season, booking an open-jaw flight, or even being open to different destinations. For example, if you’re dreaming of the Alps, consider flights to Nice, Paris, Munich, or Venice, not just Zurich, Milan, or Salzburg.

2. Explore with Google Flights

Google Flights is an amazing tool for finding the best deals. Simply enter your departure airport and either set your destination or, my favorite, leave it open. The map will show you the best options within your date range, or you can let the algorithm choose dates within a six-month window. Right now, you can find $323 flights from NYC to Barcelona with Iberia, $460 from DFW to Aruba with United, and $437 from LAX to London with American.

3. Book in the Opposite Season

Want to honeymoon in Switzerland during ski season? Book in the summer. Planning to soak up the sun in the Caribbean in the summer? Book during the winter. Booking in the opposite season of your travel plans can help you find better deals.

4. Leverage Your Miles

Using travel credit cards that offer miles can be incredibly advantageous. These cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses that can cover several round-trip flights, especially for domestic travel. Here are two of my favorites: One airline specific card This first card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently fly with this airline, offering a range of benefits that make every journey more rewarding. One of the standout features is the generous sign-up bonus: new cardholders can earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months. These miles can translate to two round-trip flights to popular destinations such as Hawaii or the Caribbean, making it a fantastic way to kickstart your travel adventures.

But the benefits don't stop there. This specific airline card offers a variety of perks designed to enhance your travel experience:

1. **Bonus Pre-Boarding**: Cardholders receive bonus pre-boarding, allowing you to board earlier and secure your seat without the rush.

2. **$75 Yearly Travel Credit**: Each year, you receive a $75 travel credit that can be used towards flights, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses for your next trip.

3. **7,500 Anniversary Miles**: To celebrate your cardmember anniversary, this card gifts you 7,500 miles every year. This adds up quickly, providing even more opportunities for free flights.

4. **Generous Baggage Policy**: A company known for its generous baggage policy, allowing two free checked bags per flight, this can save you a significant amount of money, especially on longer trips or family vacations where baggage fees can add up to the cost of an entire extra plane ticket on its own.

5. **No Change Fees**: Flexibility is key with with this airline. If your travel plans change, you won’t have to worry about hefty change fees, giving you peace of mind when booking your trips.

6. **Extra Points**: Earn points on every purchase, with 2 points per $1 spent on airline specific purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more.

7. **Travel Protections**: The card also offers a range of travel protections, including lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and travel accident insurance, ensuring you’re covered in case of unforeseen events.

With these extensive benefits, this credit card is a valuable tool for any traveler looking to maximize their rewards and enjoy a seamless travel experience. Whether you're planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a solo adventure, this card helps you get the most out of your travels.

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The second card is a standout choice for travelers looking to maximize their rewards and benefits with a wider range of choices between airlines. With a generous sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, it's easy to start earning rewards right away.

1. **Earn Points**: Cardholders earn 2x points on travel and dining at restaurants, and 1x point per dollar on all other purchases. Plus, points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the rewards portal, allowing you to stretch your points further for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

2. **Travel Protections**: Enjoy valuable travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and baggage delay insurance. The card also offers flexible redemption options, including transferring points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.

3. **No Foreign Transaction Fees**: With no foreign transaction fees, this card is perfect for international travelers, and is what we will be using this year in Mexico and next year as we travel throughout Europe and beyond.

4. **Exclusive Experiences**: Additionally, cardholders get access to exclusive travel and dining experiences, enhancing every journey and meal.

Whether you're booking flights, hotels, or dining out, this card offers exceptional value and convenience for all your adventures.

Perks of using miles:

1 .**Cost Savings**: Miles can significantly reduce or even eliminate the cost of flights, allowing you to save your cash for other travel expenses.

2. **Flexibility**: Miles can be used for a wide range of flights and destinations, giving you more options to choose from.

3. **Extra Perks**: Many travel cards offer additional benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to airport lounges, enhancing your travel experience.

4. **Emergency Situations**: In case of a family emergency or unexpected change, airlines are often more accommodating with changes and cancellations when you've booked with miles, as we experienced with a family emergency.

5. **Annual Benefits**: Some cards offer annual travel credits that can be used for flights, hotels, or other travel expenses, effectively offsetting the card's annual fee. Additionally, perks like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement can make your travel smoother and more efficient.

There are even services that help you find great deals for your miles!

5. Use a Service to Find Amazing Deals and Mistake Fares

Traveling to your dream destination doesn’t have to be expensive. Thanks to innovative services, finding affordable flights is easier than ever. This specific service helps you uncover great flight deals, including incredible mistake fares like $109 to Dublin, Ireland, or $186 to Reykjavik, Iceland. You can book directly through the airline, giving you peace of mind and avoiding the hassles of budget airlines.

Key Benefits:

1. **Direct Booking**: Avoid extra fees or restrictions from third-party booking sites.

2. **Airline Protection**: Easily manage changes or cancellations without the middleman. This was crucial for us during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

3. **Wide Range of Options**: Access numerous destinations to find the most cost-effective option for your travels and discover new places.

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I hope this helps you become well on your way to traipsing the globe more affordably - or better yet, for free with your rewards travel. Comment below with your favorite tip and where you're going to go next. Happy travels!

Due to credit card complaince, I'm unable to mention specific card names or banks, therefore, I use generalities for certain credit cards.

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