Traveling by air can often be one of the most expensive components of a trip. However, savvy travelers know that airline fare wars—periodic price drops and flash sales—offer an opportunity to score discounted flights to destinations around the world. With a bit of strategy and timing, you can take advantage of these deals and travel for less. This guide will walk you through the best ways to navigate these fare wars and help you secure affordable flights for your next adventure.
Understanding Airline Fare Wars
An airline fare war is essentially a competitive pricing strategy between airlines, often initiated in response to a rival’s promotion. When one airline drops its prices for specific routes, competitors quickly follow suit to avoid losing customers. These fare wars often happen when airlines launch special sales, compete for market share, or adjust to fluctuating demand.
Price drops and flash sales usually occur on specific routes or during certain times of the year. The key to making the most of these sales is to stay alert and understand the strategies that airlines use to offer deals.
1. Use Fare Comparison Websites
The first step in spotting fare wars is to monitor fare comparison websites regularly. Platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak aggregate prices from multiple airlines, allowing you to compare fares for your chosen routes. These tools also allow you to set price alerts, which notify you when a fare drops or when a flash sale happens.
By being proactive and checking these sites frequently, you’ll be able to spot when a price drop or sale occurs. Many of these websites also offer “explore” features, which can show you cheaper alternatives for destinations that might be off your radar but still within your budget.
2. Set Up Price Alerts
Price alerts are your best friend in the world of airline fare wars. You can set up alerts on most travel comparison websites and apps to track specific routes, dates, and airlines. When prices drop, you’ll be instantly notified via email or app notification. This makes it easy to jump on a deal as soon as it’s available, sometimes even before others have had the chance to spot it.
Setting up multiple alerts across various platforms—Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper, for example—gives you a wider net for catching price drops. Be sure to track both one-way and round-trip fares as sometimes airlines will only discount one segment of your trip.
3. Book in the “Sweet Spot” Timing
While there’s no surefire formula for predicting when fares will drop, there are certain times when airlines tend to announce flash sales. These sales often occur in mid-week (Tuesday and Wednesday), when airlines are trying to fill seats before the weekend rush. Booking a flight during this time can give you an edge over weekend travelers who may miss out on these deals.
Additionally, sales are most common during low-demand periods. For example, airlines might reduce prices during off-peak seasons or slow months such as January and September, when travel demand is lower. By planning your travel around these less-busy times, you’re more likely to take advantage of price drops.
4. Follow Airlines on Social Media
Many airlines use their social media platforms to announce flash sales and special promotions. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are often the first places that airlines will drop exclusive discount codes or flash sales. Be sure to follow your favorite airlines and sign up for their social media alerts.
Some airlines even have dedicated social media teams for announcing promotions like @JetBlueCheeps for JetBlue or @FlyFrontierDeals for Frontier Airlines. Following these accounts will keep you in the loop when new sales are launched.
5. Use Airline Miles and Points
If you’re a frequent flyer or part of an airline loyalty program, using your miles or points to book flights during a fare war can help you stretch your travel budget even further. Some airlines offer promotions where you can redeem miles at a discount, essentially letting you “double dip” by combining the sale price with your rewards.
Check if your credit card or travel points program has partnerships with airlines for additional discounts. Many travel cards offer elevated miles for certain airlines, which can help reduce the cost of airfare. Don’t forget to use your points before they expire—especially when a fare war is underway.
6. Be Flexible with Dates and Airports
Flexibility is key to getting the best deal during an airline fare war. Airlines often offer significant price cuts for specific dates, so being flexible with your travel dates can help you grab a deal. If your travel plans are flexible, consider flying on weekdays instead of weekends, or adjusting your trip by a few days to take advantage of lower fares.
Consider alternative airports as well. Sometimes a flight into a secondary or regional airport might be cheaper than flying directly into a major airport, even if it’s a little further from your destination. Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to explore different airport options to see if a nearby airport offers a better price.
