25 Tips on How to Find Cheap Airfare in 2019

If you're eager to travel more in 2019 but have limited funds to work with, it's smart to look for ways to save on one of the biggest travel expenses you'll face - airfare. These 25 tips can help you pay less, travel further and see the world at prices you can afford.

Google Flights is a free search engine that lets you search for and compare flight prices among different airlines at the same time. Amazingly, you can also use this tool to search for cheap flights to specific regions of the world like "Europe" or "Southeast Asia." This works well for people willing to consider more than one destination in a specific region for their trip.

TheFlightDeal.com is a smart resource to explore regularly if you're looking for ways to save on airfare. This website posts amazing domestic and international travel deals all over the globe and the deals change every day. Since the special fares only last for a day or two, however, you must be ready to book quickly!

You can also find cheap flights and sale fares using SecretFlying.com. Like TheFlightDeal.com, this website publishes an array of shocking airfare deals that change every day. Check in often enough, and you're bound to find a cheap flight that works with your plans.

Next Vacay is a travel website that helps you find the best deals from your home airport. Once you tell them where you live and other details, you'll receive personalized travel deals tailored to where you want to go - and even places you've never heard of before. The best part is, you can become a member for just $25 per year. They also offer a one-month trial, so you can try it out for free.

While it's easy to brush off discount airlines, they can save you a ton of money! Spirit Airlines, for example, offers flights within the U.S. and to the Caribbean and South America for as little as $39 one-way. While Spirit is technically a discount airline, they have a great record for on-time flights and they get good reviews.

One way to save on airfare is to earn a stash of airline miles with a co-branded airline credit card. Most airline credit cards offer big signup bonuses good for at least one round-trip flight, and you can use them to earn miles for every dollar you spend. Over time, those miles will add up!

Several frequent flyer programs, including American AAdvantage and Delta SkyMiles, offer dining programs that reward you when you dine out at participating restaurants. These dining clubs even offer signup bonuses worth up to 3,000 miles when you dine out a few times within the first month and meet a minimum spending requirement.

In addition to getting an airline credit card, you can also opt for a flexible travel credit card that lets you earn "flexible travel credit." A card like the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard will let you earn a huge signup bonus and 2x miles for each dollar you spend. On the redemption side of the equation, you can cash in your miles for any flight at a rate of one cent per mile.

Another option to consider is getting a travel credit card that lets you transfer miles to different frequent flyer programs. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular option in this realm of cards since it lets you transfer points 1:1 to popular airlines like Southwest, JetBlue, British Airways, and United.

If you fly at least 100 one-ways on Southwest or earn 110,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year, you can earn the Southwest Companion Pass. This pass lets a companion fly free with you for the remainder of the year you earn it and the entire next year. The pass is also good whether you pay for your flight with cash or miles.

While there are exceptions to be aware of, it is almost always cheaper to fly during the week instead of on weekends. If your flexible is schedule, you can save money by flying out on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday especially. Bonus points (and more savings) if you can also fly home on a weekday.

While the internet makes it easy to shop for travel deals and compare prices, there are times when a travel agent can help you save even more. Because travel agents have access to booking systems the public can't see, they are often aware of special sales and fares the rest of us never know about.

Most of the time, the cheapest flights of the day are the ones nobody wants. That often means the 5:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. sunrise flights that require you to get to the airport in the middle of the night. If you're happy to fly early and don't mind reaching your destination earlier in the day, book these fares to save big.

If you're not super picky about travel and just want to get where you're going, flying Basic Economy can help you save money. These fares will get you a seat on the plane at a discount but not much else. They don't allow you to carry on any luggage other than a personal item, and you don't even get the option to select your seat.

Travel around the holidays is almost always more expensive than any time of the year, which is why you should avoid flying then if you can. At the very least, keep your dates flexible and compare options so you can avoid the most expensive (and busy) travel days of the season.

Booking your flights early - or, at least starting to shop early - is another smart airfare strategy that can help you save. Looking at your options early on makes it easier to know the price range you're shooting for, and you'll be ready to book when fares go on sale or drop for a few days.

Also note that you can sometimes save money if you book your airfare and hotel in one fell swoop. Expedia.com is a travel website that offers big discounts for bundle deals and vacation packages, but you can also check out Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, CheapCaribbean.com and other travel discounters.

Every time you shop for airfare, make sure to consider your home airport and any other airport you're willing to drive to. You could save hundreds of dollars on flights if you're willing to drive just a few hours away, but you'll never know unless you check.

Always make sure you use a private browser any time you shop for airfare online. Doing so ensures the airlines won't track your online searches and boost prices for the flights you're considering. Some experts insist that this trick doesn't work, but you shouldn't leave it to chance.

Skyscanner.net is another travel website that lets you compare airfare deals around the globe. You can use it to search for deals on flights to your preferred destinations or browse a range of special deals that change daily. You can also use Skyscanner to save on rental cars and hotels.

If you don't have to travel on fixed dates, being flexible can lead to some pretty big savings. Sometimes flying a week earlier or later can help you save hundreds or thousands of dollars on airfare. Make sure to compare several dates in your range to find the best deal, and you can thank yourself later.

In addition to being flexible with your travel dates, being flexible with your destination can also help. Keep a list of 5 or 6 travel destinations you're willing to visit, then let the deals determine where you go. Trust us; you will save money if you don't have your heart set on one place.

Sometimes flights can be cheaper if you book a flight with a layover in your final destination and get off the plane and leave the airport when you land. This is known as "hidden city" ticketing, and it can work well if you book one-way and don't check baggage when you fly.

Most airlines have email-newsletters that feature their latest deals and sales. By signing up, you'll be one of the first to know any time flights go down in price or special award fares become available. If you don't subscribe, you'll never even know these sales exist.

Finally, consider following all your favorite airlines and travel websites on social media. Doing so will ensure you are one of the first to find out about special sales, award availability, and even mistake fares. The spoils go to those who book early, and following brands on social media can position you to do just that.