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With Thanksgiving only a few short weeks away, many of us are rushing to plan trips home for the holidays. Although the government shutdown may be ending, you should expect delays, especially during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Flight trackers are useful for updates, but you'll still need to find an affordable and reliable way to fly. I've written about key travel trends and compiled tips on how to save money on airfare. From the cheapest day to fly to our picks for the best travel credit cards, here's what you need to know about getting plane tickets for less than the sticker price. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. Read more: Optimize Your Travels by Never Forgetting to Pack These 12 Essentials 1. Aim to fly midweek Booking flights to take off and land on the weekend is costing you. Per Google Flights data, the most cost-effective flights are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with Tuesday emerging as the most economical day based on past flight records. Choosing to fly during the early to midweek can result in savings of 13% to 20% on ticket prices compared to flights on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, with Sunday being the priciest day for flying. Google Flights data show there isn't a specific "best" day to book flights, but the actual day you travel does affect cost. Avoid flying on a weekend day for the best rates. 2. Consider a budget airline If cost is a higher priority when flying, consider booking through a budget airline. Budget airlines are often smaller, less luxurious and have fewer flight options, but they can also save you hundreds of dollars over larger airlines, such as American, Delta and United. Here's a list of budget airlines in the US: Allegiant Air Avelo Airlines Breeze Airways Frontier Airlines JetBlue New Pacific Airways Spirit Airlines Southwest Airlines Sun Country Airlines Budget airlines often require you to give up some convenience for cheaper fares. For instance, you'll likely have to pay additional fees for carry-on bags and other amenities that are generally free through nonbudget airlines. You'll also have to pay to select your seat on the plane or be assigned randomly. It's best to add up these fees to make sure you're actually saving money in the long run. Skipping the amenities of bigger airlines could save you hundreds of dollars on your trip. Short-haul flights and casual weekend getaways are especially suited to budget airlines. 3. Take advantage of one-way flights and layovers Booking one-way flights may not be as convenient as round-trip tickets, but it gives you more options to choose from price-wise: You can book through different airlines for the best fares on the days you plan on flying. For example, Delta might get you to your destination for less mone,y but American Airlines may be cheaper for the flights home. For more savings, and especially if your schedule is flexible, consider booking a flight with one or more layovers. It's no surprise that flights with layovers are cheaper than nonstop flights, but you may not realize just how significant the savings can be. Travelers can save 25% by booking a flight with a layover instead of a nonstop flight, according to Google Flight data. 4. Use a travel credit card You can use frequent flyer miles and rewards points from travel credit cards to save even more money. Travel credit cards work by rewarding you with points or miles for travel-related and everyday expenses. Upon collecting a sufficient amount of points or miles, you can exchange them for perks such as airline tickets and hotel stays. A travel credit card may even give you extra points or miles when you use the card for travel purchases, but rates vary. Some Airlines, like Delta and United, offer their own credit cards that pay in miles, which can be redeemed for "free" flights or upgrades. These cards may also provide perks such as priority boarding and a free checked bag. 5. Try travel apps and features for finding flight deals Apps and automated features can make finding cheap flights easier. Travelers can use apps such as Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) to discover flight deals. Going uses software and flight experts to combine deals and mistake fares (when an airline or travel agency lists an incorrect price for a plane ticket that is significantly less than its worth) up to 90% off, and then emails those discounted flights to members. Google Flights also unveiled a new "Cheapest" tab on its platform in October 2024, helping travelers save money and find ultra-cheap flights with ease. To get started, simply enter your trip details and tap the "Cheapest" tab to browse the lowest available options.
