Airlines often keep certain pricing strategies and booking practices hidden, but understanding these secrets can help you find cheaper flights. Here are the top insider tips to help you save on airfare and uncover hidden deals.

1. Flight Prices Change Frequently Throughout the Day

Airlines adjust flight prices multiple times a day based on algorithms that analyze demand, competition, and time until departure. Knowing that prices fluctuate regularly means it’s worth checking back multiple times before booking.

• Best time to check: Try searching for flights on Tuesday afternoons or Wednesdays, as airlines may offer lower prices mid-week to fill seats.

2. Early Morning and Late-Night Flights Are Often Cheaper

Flights scheduled during less popular travel times, like early in the morning or late at night, are usually more affordable. These flights are less in demand, so airlines price them lower to fill seats.

• Extra savings: Look for red-eye flights (overnight flights) if you’re comfortable with the schedule; they’re often priced lower.

3. Booking on Mobile Apps May Unlock Additional Discounts

Some airlines and booking platforms offer exclusive discounts through their mobile apps. By checking both the desktop site and the app, you can sometimes find lower fares on the app.

• Pro tip: Download the airline’s app and turn on notifications for any mobile-exclusive deals or last-minute discounts.

4. Certain Days of the Week Have Lower Demand

Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally cheaper due to lower demand. Flying mid-week can help you avoid the higher fares typically seen on weekends or Mondays, which are popular with business travelers.

• Best days to fly: Schedule flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to find the best deals, especially for domestic routes.

5. Airlines Offer Cheaper Fares Through Hidden-City Ticketing

Hidden-city ticketing involves booking a flight with a layover in your actual destination and skipping the final leg. This tactic can sometimes save you money, as multi-leg routes are often cheaper than direct flights.

• Important note: Use hidden-city ticketing sparingly, as it can violate airline policies. Only travel with carry-on luggage, as checked bags will go to the final destination.

6. Sales and Promotions Often Launch on Mondays and End on Thursdays

Airlines frequently start sales early in the week, making Monday a good day to begin your search. These promotions typically end by Thursday, so acting within this window can help you snag a deal.

• When to search: Start looking on Monday afternoons and check back until Thursday to catch these weekly sales.

7. Booking as a Single Passenger May Offer Lower Prices

Airlines’ pricing systems sometimes charge more when searching for multiple seats. Booking as a single passenger may reveal lower prices, which you can then use to book multiple seats individually.

• How to do it: Search for one seat first to see if the fare is lower, then repeat the process if you’re booking for multiple travelers.

8. Airlines Hide Cheaper Fares in Alternate Currencies

If an airline operates internationally, it may list fares in different currencies based on location. Booking in the airline’s home currency or changing your browser’s country setting can sometimes reveal lower fares.

• Smart tip: Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges when booking in a different currency.

9. Mistake Fares Happen More Often Than You Think

Airlines occasionally publish incorrect fares due to errors, often at significantly lower prices. Websites like Secret Flying and Airfarewatchdog specialize in finding these mistake fares and sharing them with subscribers.

• How to find them: Sign up for alerts on fare deal websites and book quickly if you find a mistake fare, as airlines correct them fast.

10. Clearing Cookies and Using Incognito Mode Helps Avoid Price Increases

Flight search engines and airline websites track your browsing activity through cookies. Repeated searches for the same route may result in higher prices due to perceived demand. Using incognito mode or clearing cookies can help prevent this.

• How to do it: Open a new incognito window for each search session to avoid tracking and keep prices consistent.

Conclusion: Uncovering the Hidden Secrets of Cheap Airfare

Understanding the strategies airlines use for pricing can give you an edge when booking flights. By staying flexible with dates, searching mid-week, and using methods like incognito mode and hidden-city ticketing, you’ll be able to consistently find better deals and travel affordably.