The Best Travel Sites For Flights: Find The Cheapest Deals & Save Big

Introduction

In an age where travel has become more accessible than ever, finding the best deals on flights is crucial for any traveler. Whether you're a frequent flyer, a budget-conscious backpacker, or a family planning a vacation, knowing where and how to search for the cheapest flights can save you hundreds of dollars. With countless travel sites claiming to offer the best deals, it can be overwhelming to determine which platforms truly deliver on their promises.

This guide aims to help you navigate the vast world of online flight booking. We will explore the best travel sites for finding cheap flights, offer tips and tricks to maximize your savings, and provide guidance on how to ensure you're getting the best possible deal. Remember, this guide is purely informational, and the goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your travel plans.

1. Understanding How Flight Booking Sites Work

1.1 The Role of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) are websites that aggregate flight information from various airlines, allowing travelers to compare prices and book flights directly through the platform. OTAs often negotiate bulk deals with airlines, which can result in lower prices for consumers. Some of the most popular OTAs include Expedia, Priceline, and Orbitz.

Pros of Using OTAs:

• Comparison Shopping: OTAs make it easy to compare prices from multiple airlines in one place.
• Package Deals: Many OTAs offer discounts when booking flights along with hotels or rental cars.
• User Reviews: OTAs often feature user reviews, helping you gauge the reliability of airlines and services.

Cons of Using OTAs:

• Hidden Fees: Some OTAs may charge additional fees for booking through their platform.
• Customer Service: In case of changes or cancellations, dealing with an OTA's customer service can be more complicated than booking directly with the airline.

1.2 Metasearch Engines: The Power of Aggregation

Metasearch engines, such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak, differ from OTAs in that they do not handle bookings directly. Instead, they aggregate data from multiple OTAs and airlines, presenting you with a wide range of options. When you select a flight, you are redirected to the airline’s or OTA's website to complete the booking.

Pros of Using Metasearch Engines:

• Broad Search Range: Metasearch engines often provide a more extensive selection of flight options by searching across multiple OTAs and airlines.
• Price Alerts: Many metasearch engines offer price alerts, notifying you when fares drop.
• Flexible Search Options: You can search for flights over a range of dates or destinations to find the cheapest options.

Cons of Using Metasearch Engines:

• Redirects: You may be redirected multiple times before completing a booking, which can be confusing.
• Limited Control: Since metasearch engines don’t handle bookings, you may encounter issues with booking changes or cancellations.

2. The Top Travel Sites for Finding Cheap Flights

2.1 Google Flights: The All-Powerful Search Tool

Overview: Google Flights is a metasearch engine that allows users to search for flights across a wide range of airlines and OTAs. Known for its user-friendly interface and powerful search capabilities, Google Flights is an excellent tool for both experienced and novice travelers.

Key Features:

• Flexible Date Searches: Google Flights lets you search for flights over a range of dates, helping you find the cheapest options.
• Price Tracking: You can set up alerts to track fare changes on specific routes.
• Explore Destinations: If you’re flexible on where to travel, the “Explore” feature shows you cheap flights to various destinations from your departure city.

How to Use Google Flights Effectively:

• Use the Date Grid: This tool shows you how prices change across different departure and return dates, allowing you to choose the cheapest travel dates.
• Leverage the Price Graph: The price graph visualizes how fares fluctuate over time, helping you decide whether to book now or wait for a better deal.
• Explore Nearby Airports: Google Flights allows you to search for flights from nearby airports, which may offer cheaper options.

2.2 Skyscanner: A Global Favorite

Overview: Skyscanner is a metasearch engine that searches for flights, hotels, and car rentals. It’s especially popular among international travelers due to its wide range of airline partners and user-friendly mobile app.

Key Features:

• Everywhere Search: If you’re flexible on your destination, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search will show you the cheapest flights to various locations.
• Monthly View: You can view flight prices across an entire month, making it easy to spot the cheapest travel days.
• Price Alerts: Skyscanner offers price alerts to notify you when fares drop on your chosen route.

How to Use Skyscanner Effectively:

• Search Everywhere: This feature is ideal if you’re looking for inspiration and want to find the cheapest destination.
• Check Multiple Booking Options: Skyscanner often lists multiple OTAs and airline websites for booking. Compare these options to find the best deal.
• Use Incognito Mode: Prices can fluctuate based on your search history. Using incognito mode can help avoid price increases based on previous searches.

2.3 Kayak: The All-In-One Travel Planner

Overview: Kayak is a comprehensive travel search engine that not only finds flights but also helps you book hotels, rental cars, and even complete vacation packages. Kayak’s strength lies in its robust search filters and comprehensive tools for finding deals.

Key Features:

• Hacker Fares: Kayak’s “Hacker Fares” combine two one-way tickets on different airlines to save you money.
• Price Forecast: Kayak predicts whether flight prices will rise or fall, helping you decide whether to book now or wait.
• Flexible Date Search: You can search for flights across multiple dates to find the cheapest options.

How to Use Kayak Effectively:

• Set Up Price Alerts: Kayak will notify you of price drops on your selected routes.
• Try Hacker Fares: These can save you money, but be aware that they often require booking two one-way tickets through different airlines.
• Use the Explore Feature: Similar to Google Flights’ Explore feature, Kayak allows you to see the cheapest flights to various destinations from your departure city.

2.4 Momondo: The Budget Traveler’s Best Friend

Overview: Momondo is a metasearch engine that’s particularly popular among budget travelers. It’s known for finding some of the cheapest fares available, thanks to its wide search net across smaller OTAs that may not appear on other search engines.

Key Features:

• Price Insights: Momondo provides insights into whether you’re getting a good deal based on historical fare data.
• Flexible Search Options: You can search by specific dates or see a broader range of dates for more options.
• Travel Trends: Momondo offers data on the best times to book flights for specific routes.

How to Use Momondo Effectively:

• Book Directly Through the Airline: Even though Momondo shows OTA prices, it’s often safer to book directly through the airline.
• Use Price Insights: Momondo’s insights can help you determine if now is the best time to book.
• Check Smaller OTAs: Momondo often lists smaller OTAs that may offer lower prices, but be cautious about booking with lesser-known sites.

2.5 Expedia: The All-Inclusive Platform

Overview: Expedia is one of the largest OTAs and offers a comprehensive platform for booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. Expedia’s strength lies in its ability to bundle travel services, often leading to additional savings.

Key Features:

• Bundle Deals: Save money by booking flights, hotels, and car rentals together.
• Reward Program: Expedia offers a reward program that allows you to earn points on bookings, which can be redeemed for future travel.
• Cancellation Flexibility: Expedia often provides options for free cancellation or flexible booking.

How to Use Expedia Effectively:

• Check for Bundle Deals: If you need more than just a flight, consider bundling services for additional savings.
• Use Expedia Rewards: Earn points on every booking to save on future trips.
• Look for Sales and Discounts: Expedia frequently offers discounts and promo codes, so be sure to check for any available deals before booking.

3. Tips and Tricks for Finding the Cheapest Flights

3.1 Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Flexibility is one of the most significant factors in finding cheap flights. Flight prices can vary dramatically depending on the day of the week, the time of year, and even the time of day. Being open to flying on different days or at different times can lead to substantial savings.

• Midweek Flights: Flights are often cheaper on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so consider traveling midweek if possible.
• Avoid Peak Travel Times: Flying during off-peak seasons or times can result in lower fares. Avoiding major holidays and school vacation periods can save you money.
• Use Flexible Date Search: Many travel sites offer flexible date searches that allow you to compare prices across a range of dates.

3.2 Book in Advance, But Not Too Far Ahead

While it’s generally a good idea to book flights in advance, booking too early or too late can result in higher prices. The best time to book varies by route and season, but there are some general guidelines.

• Domestic Flights: Aim to book domestic flights 1-3 months in advance.
• International Flights: For international flights, booking 2-8 months in advance is usually the sweet spot.
• **Avoid Last-Minute Bookings