Did you know that the further in advance that you book a flight, the more of a discount you can get on your ticket? Booking a flight in advance can help you save money, but there’s more than just the date to consider when you’re looking for an incredible deal — so try these five tips for scoring a great price on your plane ticket.​

1.​ Check the airlines’ websites and the aggregators, like Skyscanner, Kayak or Expedia, for the best deal.​ When you’re looking for a great rate on a flight, check the price directly from the airline’s homepage, plus a few of the online aggregators to find the best overall price.​ Make sure to look for any special offers and promo codes, too.​ And don’t forget to read the fine print to make sure you’re getting the best deal you can.​

2.​ Fly during off-peak hours and days.​ Not only is it usually cheaper to fly at the less popular times of the day and week, but you’ll also find it much easier to get a seat — not to mention a better night’s sleep when you’re flying overnight.​ And if banks and corporations are flying their customers on the same route, you may be able to snag a seat on their flights at a more reasonable fee.​

3.​ Look for shorter stopovers.​ If you’re looking for a great deal on a flight that’s longer than a few hours, look for flights with shorter stopovers.​ You’ll avoid spending extra time in the airport and save yourself a few extra dollars.​

4.​ Buy a return ticket instead of two separate ones.​ Often, when you book a return ticket, you’ll get a better deal than if you purchase two one-way tickets separately.​ And in some cases, you’ll also get the added benefit of more flexible travel options in terms of times and dates.​

5.​ Consider flying budget airlines.​ Budget airlines often offer great deals on flights, but make sure to read the fine print before you book — many of them offer super-cheap fares if you’re prepared to pay extra for seats, meals or bags.​ And because they often pair places you wouldn’t find in typical flight searches, you may be able to get unbeatable value.​

6.​ Be Flexible With Your Travel Plans

If you’re able to, being flexible with your plans can really help you save money and score an incredible flight deal.​ Sometimes airlines offer cheaper flights if you’re willing to make a pit-stop — so as long as it’s only for a few hours or overnight, it could save you some serious cash.​ You might even be able to take a cheaper flight if you’re willing to travel a few days earlier or later.​

And if you can’t be flexible with your route but there’s some wiggle room in your dates, you might find yourself with a great deal.​ Different days of the week are cheaper than others and if you’re able to travel at any time, the savings will be even greater.​ Plus, when you fly during off-peak times you’ll likely get more bang for your buck.​

And even if you can’t change the dates of your trip, you might be able to fly out slightly earlier in the day or later at night — making sure you check the prices before you choose the time.​ Any savings at this stage will mean more money for your travels.​

7.​ Seek Out Special Offers

Everyone loves a bargain and it only takes minutes to look around for special offers on flights.​ Do your research yourself, or sign up for the newsletters of the airlines and travel aggregators to make sure you’re first in line for the latest deals.​

You can also hunt down promotions from hotels that may come in the form of bonus points or discounts that include flight tickets.​ Flying business or first class can also be cheaper if your airline offers an upgrade incentive program — and if you’ve got a long-haul flight you could really save some cash this way.​

And if you’re looking for the best deal available, make sure you use a specialist flight search engine.​ These take into account factors like budget and full-service airlines, plus any special offers, to help you make an informed decision.​

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Look for Special Deals for Tourists

Another great way to find a great deal on your flights is to take advantage of discounted tickets offered to tourists.​ If you’re looking to get away from your hometown and experience something new, be sure to look for discounted rates for flights.​ Many countries offer special discounts for travel within certain regions — making them the perfect option when you’re looking for a great deal.​

For example, when you’re heading overseas for a once in a lifetime trip to Europe, look for flight discount programs like Eurostar, Eurojets, SkyEurope and Pegasus Airlines.​ They often offer great deals that can save you up to 40% or more.​

And the same goes when you’re booking a domestic flight.​ Consider joining airline loyalty programs like Southwest’s Rapid Rewards or JetBlue’s TrueBlue to help you save even more.​ With a loyalty program, you can enjoy exclusive offers and discounts that can help you get the best airfare available.​

9.​ Book With Aircraft Brokers

When you’re looking for an incredible deal on a flight, consider booking with aircraft brokers.​ Brokers act as middlemen between you and the airlines, meaning that they’ll be able to get you a considerable discount on flights.​ They can often get around “maximum allowable fares” and preferential rates to make sure that you’re getting the best possible price on your flight.​

The same goes for business or first class trips.​ Aircraft brokers are experts at getting business or first class flights at a fraction of the price — which means that you’ll be able to get the most out of your travel budget.​

Plus, when you’re booking with an aircraft broker, you can often make payments in installments — which means that you’ll be able to enjoy only the best rates without having to worry about paying for it all upfront.​

10.​ Look for Student and Military Discounts

Whether you’re a student or a member of the military, you may be able to take advantage of discounted rates on flights.​ Airlines like Southwest, United and Delta all offer discounts for students, and many airlines also offer discounts for members of the military.​ So if you’re traveling for school or for business, take a few minutes to search for student or military discounts.​

In addition to the discounts offered by the airlines, student or military ID holders often get exclusive travel deals from travel websites, hotels, museums and tourist attractions around the world.​ Many of these deals even help you save on flights to some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.​

11.​ Consider Flight Deals for Groups

If you’re traveling with a group, consider looking into special group discounts.​ Many airlines offer special deals when you’re booking for more than two people on the same itinerary, and these deals can often be found on third-party websites like Expedia and Travelocity.​

You can also try to bundle your flight with hotel accommodations and a car rental.​ This approach can provide even more savings — and it’s great for larger travel groups.​ Plus, if you’re planning on sightseeing while you’re away, you can look into packages that include museum passes, concert tickets and restaurant discounts.​

Booking with a group isn’t just about getting great deals — it’s a great way to explore new destinations with some of your closest friends or family at a fraction of the cost.​

12.​ Look for Loyalty Programs

Partnering with an airline and signing up for its loyalty program can maximize your savings when you’re booking in advance.​ Airlines often offer exclusive deals and discounts to their loyalty members, and you’ll always be the first to hear about new promotions — so make sure to join the loyalty program of your favorite airline if you’re a frequent flyer.​

You can also combine loyalty programs when you’re booking a flight.​ For example, if you’re a frequent flyer with American Airlines, it’s often cheaper to book a flight with American and their partner airlines than it is to just book American Airlines alone.​

And when you’re booking with a partner airline, make sure to check if you can earn American Airlines miles even when you’re flying with the partner airline.​ You never know how many rewards you may be able to get — and it could mean big savings on future flights.​

13.​ Use Flight-Search Apps

Finally, if you’re looking for an incredible deal on flights, make sure to download the latest flight-searching apps.​ These will often include exclusive offers and discounts that may not be listed anywhere else — so make sure to check the app for your next flight.​

Plus, these apps often allow you to share flights with other users — so if you’re traveling with someone else, you’ll be able to sync your travel preferences and find the best flights for both of you.​

But before you book, make sure you compare the prices of the flight-search app with both the airline and the online aggregators to make sure you’re getting the best deal.​

FAQ Section

• Q: What’s the best way to find a great deal on a flight?
  A: The best way to find a great deal on a flight is to look for special offers and compare prices on the airlines’ websites and the aggregators, like Skyscanner, Kayak or Expedia.​
• Q: Does the time I fly make a difference when looking for a great deal?
  
  A: Yes, flying during off-peak hours and days can help you get a great deal on a flight since there are usually fewer people flying at those times.​ Moreover, banks and corporations often fly their customers on the same route, so you may be able to snag a seat on those flights at a reasonable fee.​
• Q: What are the advantages of booking with a flight broker?
  A: When you’re booking with a flight broker, you may be able to get considerable discount on flights as brokers are experts at getting business or first class flights at a fraction of the price.​ Additionally, you may be able to book with them in installments, rather than paying for your flight all upfront.​