Booking your flight is often the first step in planning a trip. After all, when else will you get to start that countdown to vacation? Getting the right flight not only determines how much of your budget goes to airfare but can also affect how much you can enjoy the trip itself.
From comfort and convenience to flexibility and overall travel experience, getting the most out of booking flights is a key part of planning a trip.
But with so many variables, booking a flight can also be one of the most stressful parts of trip planning. Decisions, decisions.
Questions abound:
Should you book early or wait for a deal?
Book with the airline or a third-party site?
What’s the real best price?
Baggage fees? Seat selection? Hidden fees?
With some preparation and a few insider tips, however, booking a flight doesn’t have to be stressful.
In this guide to booking flights, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your next booking the smoothest and easiest, from finding great flight deals to common booking pitfalls. Let’s fly.
Why Booking a Flight Well Matters
Buying a ticket feels like a huge step, but it’s not the only one.
Booking the right flight is the single most important step in trip planning. Why? Because:
Cost Savings: Airfare is often the largest portion of your travel budget. Booking the best deal will leave more to spend on hotels, meals, and activities.
Comfort and Convenience: Airlines, layovers, and flight times can make or break how rested and ready to explore you’ll be on arrival.
Flexibility: Booking a well-chosen flight gives you options if your plans change. Badly booked flights can force you to pay expensive cancellation fees.
Travel Experience: The right booking can mean fewer delays, better seating, and less stress.
Step 1: Start with Research
Before you book, take the time to get familiar with your flight options.
Knowledge is power when it comes to navigating airfare, and a little extra time spent up front can save you a lot of hassle (and money) later.
Use Multiple Search Engines
All flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and Momondo have different algorithms, partnerships, and pricing strategies. Checking a few of them will give you a better idea of what prices are out there.
Know the Pricing Patterns
Airfare pricing is not random and does not change overnight. Prices move according to demand, seasonality, and time of booking, among other factors.
Domestic flights: Most domestic tickets are cheapest when you book 1–3 months in advance.
International travel: 2–6 months out is often best for international travel.
Compare Direct vs. Third-Party Bookings
Third-party sites and apps can sometimes offer cheaper fares, but it’s usually worth checking the prices on the airline’s own website as well. Airlines typically have more customer-friendly cancellation and change policies when you book directly.
Step 2: Choose the Right Time to Book
When you book a ticket can make a big difference in airfare.
Fly mid-week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually cheaper.
Avoid peak periods: Prices will skyrocket during major holidays, school vacation periods, and around events. If you have the flexibility, try to travel in the off-season.
Don’t book too early or too late: Airlines usually release tickets around 11 months out, but prices tend to be highest at first. Look for the middle ground once prices start to normalize.
Step 3: Be Flexible
Flexibility is the golden rule for booking great flight deals.
Flexible dates: Use a “flexible dates” search option to see if a few days before or after are cheaper.
Flexible airports: Nearby airports often have very different ticket prices. Landing in Oakland instead of San Francisco, or Gatwick instead of Heathrow, might save you hundreds.
Flexible destinations: If you just want to travel somewhere far away, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search shows the cheapest destinations from your departure city.
Step 4: Hidden Fees
The fare you see at first is not always the final price. Airlines, especially budget ones, often charge a lot of extra fees.
Baggage: Budget airlines may only include a small carry-on bag in the ticket price. Check if checked luggage or even a larger carry-on will cost extra.
Seat selection: You may have to pay if you want to make sure you sit with your travel companion.
Meals and drinks: If you’re flying with a budget airline, you may be charged for in-flight meals.
Credit card surcharges: Some search engines and booking sites add extra charges depending on the payment method.
Hidden fees can add up, so read the fine print on any booking.
Step 5: Sign Up for Alerts and Loyalty Programs
Set up alerts and join airline loyalty programs.
Fare Alerts
Flight price alerts are easy to set up through tools like Google Flights or Hopper. You’ll get notified when prices for your chosen route drop.
Airline Newsletters
Airlines often send sales information to their email subscribers before they are widely advertised.
Airline Loyalty Programs
Signing up to a frequent flyer program is also a good idea even if you don’t fly very often. It’s easy to rack up points with time, and members sometimes get access to discounts or seat upgrades earlier.
Step 6: Layovers Can Save You Money
A layover is usually a hassle and can leave you more tired when you arrive. But done right, a layover can save you money.
Short Layovers: Anywhere under 45 minutes for domestic, under 1.5 hours for international is probably not worth the risk. Delays could have you missing your next flight.
Long Layovers: These can sometimes be an opportunity to experience a new city, but be sure that you’re comfortable with the wait.
Multiple Connections: Several connections can often be much cheaper but increase your risk of flight delays, lost baggage, and general fatigue.
Step 7: Check the Airline Reputation
Price is not everything, and an inexpensive ticket with a bad airline is a false bargain.
Airline reviews and ratings (we like Skytrax) can tell you a lot about an airline’s punctuality, comfort, and customer service. Is it worth the risk?
Step 8: Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards can be very useful, especially for frequent travelers.
Credit card rewards and perks:
Points and miles that can be redeemed for flights.
Credit card insurance that can cover delays, cancellations, and lost luggage.
Airport lounge access is a huge benefit of the more premium travel credit cards.
Step 9: Double-Check Everything
Before booking, carefully review the following:
Names: Spelled exactly how they are on the passport.
Dates and times (don’t forget the time zones).
Baggage allowance.
Refund and cancellation policies.
Changes after you confirm a booking are usually expensive, so be sure you’re ready to go when you hit “purchase.”
Step 10: After Booking, Stay Organized
Staying organized is just as important after booking a flight as it was before.
Save Confirmation Emails: File them in a dedicated travel folder in your email.
Download Airline Apps: Most airlines now have their own apps that you can use for online check-in, seat selection, and even boarding passes.
Check In Early: Online check-in usually opens 24–48 hours before departure. Do this early to get first choice at the best seats.
Flight Tracking: Use FlightAware or another flight tracking app to get real-time updates on your flight’s status (delays, gate changes, etc.).
Pro Tips from Seasoned Travelers
For some additional pro tips, we turn to frequent travelers.
Book separate one-way tickets: Booking two separate one-way tickets (possibly with different airlines) can be cheaper than a round trip.
Private mode search: This is a bit controversial, but by searching flights in a private browsing mode, sites won’t be able to track your searches and potentially charge more.
Try alternate routes: Flying to a nearby country and then taking a budget airline to your final destination can be much cheaper.
Use stopovers: Some airlines offer free or low-cost stopovers in their hub cities, essentially giving you two destinations for the price of one.
Try other currencies: Sometimes booking through an airline’s site in another currency (using a no-foreign-fee card) will give you a lower price.
Common Booking Mistakes
Even frequent travelers sometimes make avoidable mistakes when booking flights. Watch out for these:
Waiting too long and expecting a last-minute price drop.
Not checking for visa or entry requirements for layover countries.
Overbooking and scheduling tight connections.
Booking flights with a complex itinerary when a simple one would be cheaper and easier.
Forgetting to check baggage policies and paying through the nose for baggage at the airport.
Final Thoughts
Booking flights doesn’t have to be stressful, but a few variables and a lack of planning can make it that way.
Booking early, comparing options, being flexible with dates and airports, and making use of tools like fare alerts and loyalty programs will help you book smarter, not harder.
The flight is just one part of your adventure, but it can affect how much you can enjoy it. The right flight at the right price will help ensure your trip starts off smoothly and that you arrive ready to have fun.
Save pin for later
