Found a Cheap Flight? What to Check Before You Book

When we started planning a family trip to Hawaii, a few of us went online to compare airfare. We found a good fare for a nonstop flight, which sounded perfect since we would be traveling with kids.

Then we looked at what that fare actually included.

By the time we moved up from the lowest fare level and chose a refundable ticket, the price had jumped by about $300 per person.

So much for the price that first caught our attention!

It’s a good example of something we’ve learned from booking flights for trips: the airfare you see in a flight search isn’t always the price you’ll actually pay.

The lowest fare might not include the seat type you want, a checked bag or the flexibility to change your plans. And sometimes a cheaper flight comes with another cost – two connections or hours of additional travel time.

So how do you find cheap flights and know whether you’re really getting a good deal?

In addition to comparing travel dates, flight times and any connections – we also check what’s included in the fare, the seat type, bags and what the ticket will actually cost once we add things we need (like the flexibility to refund or make changes to our tickets).

Quick Steps to Find Cheap Flights

1. Start with a flight comparison tool to compare airlines and fares.
2. Check the fare calendar for cheaper nearby dates.
3. Compare nonstop and connecting flights, including total travel time.
4. Look at what the fare includes – bags, seats, changes and cancellations.
5. Check refundability if you want that flexibility.
6. Add up the real cost of the ticket you’ll actually buy.
7. Check departure and arrival times and consider how they affect your travel day.
8. Check the airline’s website and review the details before booking.

That’s the quick version. Read on for more details about each step – and a few things that can make a “cheap” flight cost more than you expected.

1. How to Find Cheap Flights: Start With a Comparison Tool

When we start to look into flights for a trip, I usually use a comparison tool like Google Flights because I can enter my destination and dates, and quickly see different airlines, fares, departure times, stops and total travel times in one place. Sites such as Kayak and Skyscanner can also help you see what’s available.

At this stage, I’m just trying to answer a few basic questions: What does airfare generally cost for this trip? Which airlines fly the route? Are nonstop flights available? And how much would I save by taking a connecting flight?

2. Use the Fare Calendar – It’s One of My Favorite Tools

Having some flexibility in your travel dates usually can help you save on your airfare.

When comparing airfare online, look for the calendar, date grid or flexible-date tool that shows fares on surrounding days. Sometimes these tools take a little clicking around to find, but really can help you see the range of fares near your travel dates.

Let’s say you planned to fly Saturday to Saturday. Check Friday to Friday. Try Sunday. Look at what happens if you extend the trip by a day.

Sometimes you can see a difference in fares just by moving your trip one day.

And if you’re buying four or five tickets for a family trip, even a $50 difference per ticket starts adding up.

I usually play with the calendar to see how we can save by moving our dates slightly – before I consider making other compromises to get a lower fare, like adding another connection.

3. Compare Nonstop & Connecting Flights

Because a nonstop (direct) flight gets you to your destination faster, a connecting flight (and layover) typically costs less than a nonstop flight.

But how much are you really saving?

Take a look at these two options:

Which Flight is the Better Deal?

Flight B saves $100 – but adds another 3½ hours to your travel day.

Would I spend another 3½ hours traveling to save $100?

It depends.

If four people are traveling, that’s a $400 difference. That could pay for part of the hotel or several meals.

But, if we’re taking a short vacation and the connecting flight eats up half a day, I’d probably look hard at the nonstop option.

This is where I start thinking about what our time is worth on this particular trip, not just which number is lowest.

Layovers: Avoid Tight Connections

If you choose a flight that has a connection to get to your final destination, take a good look at the layover.

A short layover may seem great because it keeps your total travel time down. However, it may not feel so great when your first flight lands and you realize your next gate is on the other side of the airport.

You also have to get off the first plane. If you’re sitting toward the back, that will take time.

Then you need to get to the next gate, and your second flight will begin boarding before its scheduled departure time.

Some airports have longer walks between the concourses. Others may involve a train, shuttle or terminal change.

International connections, in addition to being long flights, can add more steps depending on the itinerary.

To reduce the risk of missing a connecting flight (and stress), make sure to choose one that gives you enough time so you can walk to your next gate, use the restroom and grab something to eat.

4. Look at What the “Cheap” Fare Includes

This is where the price that looked so good can start changing.

Airlines generally offer several types of economy fares and seating in the main cabin. 

You might see a lower-priced Basic Economy fare with more restrictions, a standard economy fare with more flexibility, or an upgraded economy option with benefits such as extra legroom or preferred seating. On some flights, particularly international routes, you may also see Premium Economy, which can offer a larger seat, more legroom and additional amenities.

The names and benefits vary by airline, so when you see a low fare, take a minute to see exactly which economy option you’re comparing and what comes with it.

The lowest fare may come with restrictions or charge extra for things you assumed were included like a carry-on bag.

Before I compare two fares, I look at:

• Carry-on and checked baggage
• Seat selection
• Changes
• Cancellations
• Refundability
• Mileage or points eligibility
• Other restrictions tied to that fare level

You don’t necessarily need all of those things.

If you’re traveling with a personal item, don’t care where you sit and know your plans won’t change, the lowest fare may work perfectly for you.

But you want to know what you’re giving up before you click Book.

5. Changeable Doesn’t Always Mean Refundable

This one can get confusing.

A ticket may allow you to change or cancel your trip without giving you a cash refund.

Depending on the ticket and airline rules, canceling could result in a travel credit rather than money returned to your original form of payment. Changing the flight may also mean paying the difference if your new flight costs more.

A refundable fare is different – and can cost quite a bit more.

That’s what we saw while looking at our Hawaii flights. Once we chose the fare features we wanted and made the ticket refundable, we were looking at roughly $300 more per person than that original fare.

Does that mean everyone should buy a refundable ticket? No.

It means you should know what happens to your money if your plans change.

6. Calculate the Real Cost of the Ticket

This is the comparison I’d make before booking:

	Lower Advertised Fare	Higher Fare
Starting airfare	$425	$525
Seat selection	+$60	Included
Checked bag	+$80	Included
Fare option you want	+$150	Included
Real ticket cost	$715	$525

These are sample prices to show how the comparison works. Airline fares, fees and benefits vary.

The flight advertised at $425 suddenly costs $715 for the ticket you actually want.

Of course, your calculation could go the other way. If you don’t need a checked bag or seat selection, you might be able to take advantage of that $425 fare.

That’s why I wouldn’t automatically avoid Basic Economy – or automatically choose it.

Compare the ticket you’re actually going to buy.

7. Look at Departure and Arrival Times

I also look at when the flight leaves and arrives.

A very early flight may require leaving home in the middle of the night. A late arrival could mean paying more for transportation or checking into your hotel at midnight.

For a short trip, flight times can also affect how much time you actually get at your destination.

I’d rather pay a little more for a flight that gives me most of my first vacation day than save $50 and arrive late that night.

Again, there’s no universal right choice. It’s another part of the real cost.

8. Check the Airline’s Website Before You Book

Once I find a flight I like, I usually go to the airline’s website and search for the same flight before booking.

This gives me one more chance to compare the fare options and see exactly what comes with the ticket. I check the baggage allowance, seat options, change or cancellation rules and whether the fare is refundable.

You may also find that the airline uses different names for its economy fare levels, so this is a good time to make sure you’re comparing the same type of ticket you saw during your original search.

If the price is similar, I generally prefer to book directly with the airline. It also means I’m dealing directly with the airline if I need to make changes to my reservation later.

Going to Europe? Try a Multi-City Search for Flights

Here’s another airfare search trick we’ve found useful for Europe.

If you’re visiting several cities, you don’t have to fly round trip from the same city.

Instead of searching:

Phoenix → London → Phoenix

try a multi-city itinerary such as:

Phoenix → London
Paris → Phoenix

This is often called an open-jaw itinerary – you fly into one city and home from another.

We’ve used this approach when planning Europe trips because it can make the itinerary much more efficient. If you’re traveling from London to Paris anyway, why spend time and money returning to London just to catch your flight home?

Compare both options.

Even if the multi-city airfare costs a little more, look at what returning to your original city would cost. You might need another train ticket, transportation to the airport or even another hotel night.

More importantly, you could lose part of a vacation day backtracking.

That’s another reason I look at the cost of the whole trip, not just the airfare.

If You Plan to Travel More, Join Airline Rewards Programs

If you think you’ll fly more than once in a while, sign up for the free rewards programs offered by airlines you use.

We typically fly American Airlines, so we collect miles through American Airlines’ loyalty program. Over time, those miles can help pay for future travel.

Depending on the airline and your status, credit card or other qualifications, loyalty programs can also come with travel perks like earlier boarding, checked-bag benefits, upgrades, or lounge access.

You don’t have to become a travel-points expert.

Start with the airline programs you’re actually likely to use and make sure your loyalty number is attached to eligible flights.

So, Is That Cheap Flight Really a Good Deal?

It might be.

I love finding a low airfare as much as anyone. But I’ve learned not to make a decision based on that first number.

Before booking, I want to know:

What will the ticket I actually want cost?

Then I look at the bigger picture: bags, seats, flexibility, number of stops, total travel time and flight schedule.

A $425 ticket may actually be a bargain.

Or the $525 flight may turn out to be cheaper – or simply a much better value – once you compare everything you’re getting.

The Bottom Line

Flight comparison tools make it easier than ever to spot a low fare. Use them as your starting point, not the final price.

Check nearby dates. Compare your travel time. Look at the fare restrictions. Add the extras you’ll actually use. Then compare the flights again.

Because the best airfare isn’t necessarily the lowest number on the screen.

It’s the flight that gives you the best value for your trip.