How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheaper Airfare
Are you looking for a cheaper flight? TikTokers have discovered a way to reduce ticket costs. You won’t need to download any browser extensions or install new apps — all you need is Google Flights.
How to Use Google Flights to Find Cheaper Airfare
The Google Flights “trick” is straightforward but requires some flexibility in terms of where and when you’re willing to travel. For instance, I’m organizing a trip with friends for Labor Day weekend, so I hope this tip can help us save some money even though we are confined to a specific weekend. Here’s how this feature works:
Step 1
Open your browser and go to Google Flights. Click on the very first result, which will take you to a page where you can enter your departure city, destination, and travel dates.
Step 2
Select your departure city. As I’m planning a trip with friends mostly based in New York, I chose New York City as our departure point.
This next step is crucial and is the whole reason why this trick is effective: leave the destination field blank. By doing so, this prompts Google Flights to search for the most affordable destinations available based on the date range you provide in the next step (While Google may automatically fill in dates, you can disregard them).
We didn’t have a particular destination in mind for the weekend, making the ambiguity beneficial for us.
Step 3
Click on the map displayed below the departure and date fields. This will lead you to a page listing various flight options and their prices. You’ll also notice the date field was auto-filled to show results for a random one-week trip within the next six months.
Click this field to adjust the travel timeframe according to your preferences. You can search for weekend, one-week, or two-week trips in any of the 12 months, or go for specific dates, though this may not yield the most affordable results.
I tested this by finding flights for a weekend in October, originating from New York, and many options I received were nonstop flights costing under $200. One listed option was a roundtrip to Atlanta for $97 (at the time of this writing), which is an extraordinary deal. Another choice was a roundtrip, nonstop flight to Toronto for $125.
Some TikTokers have showcased where they found flights to Cancun for $270 and Las Vegas for $94. You can drag the map to explore different regions globally to see ticket prices for various countries.
Who is this feature best for?
This search “hack” requires flexibility in terms of destinations and the dates you’re willing to travel. If you have a specific timeframe or are already set on certain destinations, you might not maximize this travel strategy.
For example, my friends and I are fixed on traveling during Labor Day weekend. However, holiday weekends tend to have higher airfare prices. If we were more adaptable with our travel weekend, we’d stand a greater chance of securing lower ticket prices.
Other Ways to Save Money on Travel
If you can’t take advantage of the Google Flights feature to save on airfare, there are still other strategies to maximize your savings on travel overall.
Utilize Points and Miles
Using points and miles accumulated remains one of the best ways to save on travel since it considerably reduces your out-of-pocket expenses for flights and accommodations. This is especially effective when travel costs surge, such as during last-minute holiday trips.
Points and miles are largely accrued through the welcome bonuses, which often require spending a particular amount within a set timeframe. Be cautious, however: avoid overspending to earn these bonuses, as carrying a balance can lead to costly interest charges.
Select a card whose welcome bonus threshold aligns with your spending capability. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, translating to $900 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. In contrast, the American Express® Gold Card offers 65,000 Membership Rewards® points after a $3,000 eligible purchase within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
The Amex Gold Card provides double the spending period of the Chase card, making it suitable for those who prefer a longer timeline to meet bonus spending requirements.
Consider Flights with Layovers
Although direct flights provide convenience, flights with layovers are often more economical.
Many factors influence the choice between layover and direct flights, largely driven by personal preference. If you are open to traveling with a layover, this could indeed be a practical strategy to save on your journey.
Avoid Baggage Fees with Airline Credit Cards
Baggage fees can vary significantly, ranging from as low as $30 to as high as $150 depending on the airline and number of checked bags. For travelers, especially families, checking multiple bags can lead to considerable additional costs.
Some travel credit cards offer benefits like waived baggage fees. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card allows you to check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with the card, leading to potential savings of up to $70 on a round-trip per traveler, amounting to $280 for a family of four. Terms apply.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Choosing not to travel during the peak season has numerous advantages. Tourist attractions can be less congested and expensive compared to peak times, and airfares may also be more budget-friendly.
Flexibility in planning is essential, along with conducting research to identify when a destination’s off-peak season occurs. For instance, Hawaii’s off-peak times are generally from April to June and September to December, while Italy’s off-season may range between November and March.
Bottom Line
The viral Google Flights trick can lead to substantial airfare savings, provided you can remain flexible with your destination and travel dates. If your travel plans lack this flexibility, there are still various other techniques you can employ to economize.
