Airlines use sophisticated pricing algorithms to maximise revenue from every seat. But travellers who understand how these systems work can consistently pay far less. Here are 10 techniques the industry would rather you didn't know about.
1. Always Search in Incognito / Private Mode
Airlines and booking sites use cookies to track how many times you've searched for a route. If they detect repeated interest, prices can rise. Searching in a private browser window prevents this tracking. Always use incognito mode or clear your cookies before booking.
2. The "Hidden City" Trick
Sometimes a flight to city C via city B is cheaper than a direct flight to B. You simply get off at B and skip the second leg. Important caveats: only works with carry-on luggage (checked bags go to the final destination), and don't book return trips this way.
3. Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday
Airlines historically release discounted seats early in the week. Tuesday afternoon (US Eastern time) has long been the sweet spot. Avoid searching on Fridays and weekends when demand — and prices — spike.
4. Set Price Alerts — Then Wait
Don't book the moment you search. Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to set price alerts for your route. Prices fluctuate dramatically — sometimes 30–40% in a single week. Strike when the price dips.
5. Use BudgetFly for Destination Flexibility
If you're flexible about where you go, use BudgetFly's globe view to see prices to all destinations from your origin filtered by your budget. You'll often find incredible deals to places you hadn't considered.
6. Check Nearby Airports
Flying from a secondary airport near your city — or landing at one near your destination — can save significantly. London has 5 airports. New York has 3 (JFK, EWR, LGA). Paris has 2 (CDG, BVA). Always compare nearby options before booking.
7. Buy Bags Separately
On budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, adding baggage separately is almost always cheaper than choosing a fare bundle. Only add what you actually need and add it at the time of booking (pre-flight additions cost more).
8. Mix and Match Airlines
Book two separate one-way tickets instead of a return on the same airline. Fly out with Ryanair, return with easyJet. This often saves 20–40%. Google Flights makes it easy to compare separate one-way fares vs. standard returns.
9. Try a VPN to Check Local Prices
Airlines show different prices to users in different countries. Connect to a VPN set to the destination country (e.g. India for South Asian routes, Mexico for Latin American routes) and check prices — you may find locally-priced fares that are significantly cheaper.
10. Search for 1 Seat When Travelling in a Group
When airlines show fares, they display one price for all seats in a bucket. If you search for 4 seats but only 2 cheap seats remain, the system charges the higher rate for all 4. Search for 1 seat first to see the true cheapest price, then search for your actual number to compare.
Final Thought
The best time to apply these tricks is before you're committed to specific dates or destinations. The more flexibility you have, the more money you can save. Start with your budget, let the destination come second — that's the BudgetFly approach.