The world is literally at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you could be booking your very first flight tickets and making that dream trip a reality! But if you’re new to traveling (or even just new to booking travel), I totally get how overwhelming it can feel. There are so many airlines, different policies, cabin classes, and those sneaky hidden fees it’s a lot to take in.
That’s why I’m here to break it all down for you! Whether you’re booking your first-ever flight or just looking for ways to score the cheapest fare possible, I’m sharing all my go-to tips and tricks to make the process super easy. Let’s get you in the air and to that new destination you’ve been dreaming about!
How to Book a Flight for Beginners
Booking a standard flight is pretty straightforward but let’s be real, airline prices are through the roof right now (we’re talking a 7.1% increase from last year!) That’s exactly why you’re here because you want to know the best ways to score a deal on your next flight. Just because you’re new to booking flights doesn’t mean you should be paying full price. Time to plan that dream trip without breaking the bank.
All photos courtesy of Canva Stock
How to Find the Best Flight Deals
Book at the right time.
If you’re looking to score a good deal on your next flight domestic or international it’s all about when you book. Last-minute flights can sometimes surprise you with a rare deal, but for the most part, procrastinating means paying more than you’d like.
Here’s the sweet spot for booking:
- Domestic Flights – book 1 to 3 months in advance
- International Flights – book 3 to 6 months in advance
These time frames usually have the best fares, but keep in mind that prices can change daily, sometimes even by the hour. So, when you spot a killer deal, don’t hesitate book it!
Enable price alerts.
Did you know you can track flight prices and get alerts when they drop or start creeping up? Yep, it’s a total game-changer for beginner travelers! Instead of constantly refreshing flight search engines, you can set up notifications and get emails or texts when the price of your dream flight changes. Whenever I have a destination in mind but not a set date I like to set up flight alerts with flexible dates to help score a great deal. This is exactly how we ended up with round trip flights to Paris for less than most domestic flights the last time we went.
Flight search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak have this super handy feature. You can track a specific flight or monitor all flights for your travel dates so when that price hits the sweet spot, you’ll be ready to book without second-guessing.
Compare prices on flight search engines.
When you’re just starting your search for the best flight deals, don’t just check one site compare multiple flight search engines to see how prices stack up! Different platforms pull different deals, so casting a wide net can save you some serious cash.
My go-to flight search engines are:
Check a few of these before booking, and you’ll have a much better chance of snagging the best deal!
Consider nearby airports.
Here’s a little travel hack: Sometimes, flying out of a major international airport is way cheaper than booking from the airport closest to you (or vice versa). High-traffic airports tend to have more flights and better deals, which could save you hundreds on your ticket.
For example, if you’re flying to Europe, you might find a way better deal out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) instead of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). That extra hour or two of driving (or taking the train) could seriously cut down your flight cost and who doesn’t love saving money for more adventures?!
Sign up for airline newsletters.
You’d be surprised how often airlines drop flight deals throughout the year. The trick? Getting ahead of the game by signing up for airline newsletters.
Pick your favorite airlines, head to their airline websites, and subscribe to their emails. This way, you’ll be the first to know when they’re running flash sales or special discounts before prices start climbing again.
Look for flight deals and error fares.
Every now and then, airlines accidentally drop insane flight deals like business class tickets for way less than they should be. Yep, it’s a real thing! These are called error fares, and if you know where to look, you can snag them before they disappear.
Websites like Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), Secret Flying, and The Flight Deal send these glitch fares straight to your inbox. If you see a flight you want, book it ASAP these deals don’t last long, and once the airline catches the mistake, it’s gone.
How to Save Money on Flight Tickets
Be flexible with your travel dates.
One of the best ways to save money on flights? Be flexible with your travel dates! You’d be shocked at how much you can save just by flying a day or even a week earlier or later. I typically always begin our trip planning process by first searching for great flights surrounding a general month or timeframe I want to go somewhere. From there, I move the specific travel dates around according to which flights are the best deal before confirming.
Tools like Google Flights and Skyscanner make it super easy to spot the cheapest days to fly they’ll literally show you a calendar with the lowest fares for your destination.
Consider budget airlines.
Budget airlines are everywhere these days, and while they might not come with all the perks, they’ll get you from point A to point B for way less. I’m looking at you, Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and Ryanair. Keep in mind that before you jump on that crazy cheap ticket, there’s a catch you have to watch out for the extra fees.
With budget airlines, expect to pay extra for things like:
- Carry-on and checked baggage
- Select seats
- Fees if you forget to check in online
- Onboard snacks and beverages (even water!)
With added amenities, those “cheap” flights can add up fast, sometimes even costing more than a standard economy ticket with a full-service airline. Always do the math before booking so you don’t end up spending more than you planned!
Avoid checking a bag.
2025 is the year of carry-on bag-only travel who’s with me?! We don’t have time to stand around baggage carousels when there are new cities to explore. And paying extra for that checked bag? No thanks!
While it’s rare that I am able to go for just a carry on bag for any trip longer than 5 days, it’s definitely a goal I strive for every time anyway for the cost savings aspect! If you can fit everything into a carry on, this is a great way to save.
Bonus travel hack: When you book an international flight, most airlines include a free carry-on in your ticket. That’s extra money saved for more adventures!
Use incognito mode when searching.
Ever noticed that flight prices mysteriously go up after you’ve checked them a few times? That’s because airline websites track your searches using cookies, which can make prices increase when you come back to book. But don’t worry I’ve got a simple hack to beat the system!
Use incognito mode when searching for flights. If you’re on Google Chrome, just open a new Incognito window, and boom airline websites think you’re a first-time visitor, meaning you’ll see the real lowest fares instead of inflated prices. Sneaky? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely!
Book tickets in the local currency.
Here’s another little travel hack to save money on flights: book your flight in the local currency. It can sometimes save you serious cash! If you’re flying internationally or booking flights within another country, airlines might charge more when you pay in USD.
Before you book, use a currency converter to check the latest exchange rates and see if switching currencies gets you a better deal. It only takes a minute, but it could mean extra savings for your trip.
Use airline miles or credit card points.
If you’re new to traveling, you might not have a stash of frequent flyer miles or a travel credit card yet but trust me, once you start flying more, these perks are game-changers.
Signing up for airline loyalty programs and getting good travel credit cards can save you tons of money down the line. You can rack up points or miles just by booking flights, using your card on everyday purchases, or even snagging bonuses through sign-up offers. Then, when it’s time to book your next trip, you can cash them in for free flights, upgrades, and major discounts.
How to Choose the Best Airline for Your Trip
Consider your travel priorities.
With so many airlines out there from budget carriers like Spirit to all-business-class airlines like La Compagnie it’s important to know your travel priorities before booking. Not all airlines are created equal, so ask yourself:
Bringing lots of luggage? You’ll want an airline that includes at least one free checked bag in your ticket.
Flying long-haul? Extra legroom might be worth it for those long hours in the air.
Want a luxury experience? Some airlines go all out on comfort and service.
Just excited to get there? Maybe price is your only concern, and you don’t care about the extras.
Figuring out what matters most to you will help you choose the perfect airline for your trip.
Understand baggage allowance and fees.
If you can pack everything into just a backpack major props to you! But let’s be honest: if you’re a beginner traveler, you’ll probably overpack a little (we’ve all been there). That’s why understanding baggage allowance and those sneaky extra fees before you book your flight is so important.
If you’re checking a bag, make sure you pick an airline (or ticket class) that includes it in your fare. Avoid fare types like Basic Economy or Light Economy they usually only allow a carry-on and sometimes not even that!). Instead, go for Standard Economy or Premium Economy if you need one or two checked bags per passenger. A little research upfront means no surprise fees at the airport! If you’re at a loss for what to pack, check out my packing list for Europe for some inspo!
Read customer reviews.
Checking out airline reviews before booking? Smart move. But here’s the thing take them with a grain of salt. Airlines tend to get a bad rap and let’s be real, unhappy customers are way more likely to leave a review than someone who had a smooth, drama-free flight.
That said, reading through reviews on travel websites and forums can still give you a solid idea of what to expect like how the airline treats passengers, if delays are common, or whether their “extra legroom” seats are actually worth it.
Check refund and cancellation policies.
Changing or canceling flights? Airlines do not typically make it easy. If your plans aren’t set in stone or there’s even a chance you might need to cancel, do yourself a favor and read up on refund and cancellation policies before booking. Trust me, it’ll save you a ton of stress later.
Another solid move? Consider travel insurance because it can help you get your money back if something unexpected happens. Some airlines also offer fully refundable economy tickets for an extra fee. If there’s a chance your trip might fall through, that little upgrade could be worth every penny!
Become a pro at flying domestically and internationally with these super helpful tips!
Don’t let the intimidation of booking your first flight keep you from seeing the wonders of the world! With these helpful tips and a little bit of experience, you’ll quickly become a pro at finding the best flight deals and airlines to take you to your next destination.
If you’re interested in more resources to help you book your flights, check out my blog, where you’ll find posts like “Airport Tips” and “How to Book Stopover Flights”. For even more inspo, be sure to follow me on Instagram at @sierrainthecity!
