Finding the best flight deals to the United States doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re flying internationally or looking for a domestic flight within the U.S., knowing a few strategies can save you a lot of money. In this guide, I’ll break down some of the easiest ways to secure cheap flights, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about your budget.
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1. Start Searching Early but Don’t Book Too Early
You can often find the best flight deals when you book 1-3 months ahead of your departure date for international flights, and about 1-2 months ahead for domestic ones. Booking too early, however, can sometimes lead to higher prices. The sweet spot is in this window—far enough from the travel date to still find discounts, but not too far for prices to fluctuate drastically.
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Keep an eye on your preferred routes a few months in advance, so you have a good idea of the average ticket prices. If you see them drop, book immediately! Airfare can change quickly based on availability.
2. Use Multiple Flight Search Engines to Compare Prices
No single flight search engine has every possible deal. To make sure you’re finding the cheapest flight, compare different platforms. Popular ones include:
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Momondo
- Kayak
- Hopper
These platforms allow you to filter by price, layover length, and more. Google Flights is great for tracking trends and seeing a calendar of prices, while Skyscanner and Momondo often have deals you won’t find on other platforms.
3. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
If you can adjust your travel dates, you’ll have a better shot at finding cheap flights to the U.S. Flights tend to be more expensive on weekends—especially Fridays and Sundays—so try flying mid-week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually have the lowest prices.
Additionally, traveling during off-peak seasons can save you significant money. The U.S. summer months and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are peak travel times. If you’re flexible, look at traveling during less busy times, like autumn or early spring. Not only will flights be cheaper, but destinations will also be less crowded.
4. Consider Alternative Airports
Major cities in the U.S. often have multiple airports. For instance, if you’re flying to New York City, you can choose between JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. Don’t just search for flights to one airport—compare prices for all nearby options.
In some cases, flying into a smaller or alternative airport can be significantly cheaper. For example, flying to Oakland or San Jose may be less expensive than flying directly to San Francisco. Once you land, it’s easy to take a bus or train to your final destination.
5. Set Flight Alerts for Price Drops
If you’re not ready to buy a ticket, consider setting price alerts. Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper allow you to track flights and get notified when prices drop. This way, you don’t have to check prices daily; the app will handle that for you.
Airfare can change frequently, so these tools help ensure you don’t miss a deal. Just make sure to act fast once you receive a notification for a good price.
6. Watch Out for Fees with Budget Airlines
Some travelers love budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, or Southwest for their super cheap fares. While these airlines offer great basic rates, keep in mind that they often charge extra for things like checked baggage, seat selection, and even carry-on bags.
Make sure to factor in these costs before booking. Sometimes, when you add up all the fees, a budget airline may not actually save you money over a traditional airline with fewer add-ons.
7. Use Airline Miles or Credit Card Points
If you have airline miles or credit card reward points, these can be a great way to reduce your travel costs. Many U.S. airlines have partner rewards programs with international carriers, so don’t forget to check whether you can redeem points on codeshare flights.
Popular U.S. airlines for reward points include:
- American Airlines (AAdvantage)
- Delta Airlines (SkyMiles)
- United Airlines (MileagePlus)
Often, it takes a lot of points to completely cover a flight, but even using points for a partial fare can make a difference in your total cost.
8. Look for Layover Deals
Direct flights are always faster but often more expensive. If you don’t mind spending a few extra hours between flights, you can save money by booking a flight with a layover.
Flight search engines like Kiwi and Skyscanner allow you to filter results based on layover length, which is helpful if you want a quick connection. However, longer layovers can sometimes give you a chance to explore a new city for a few hours, so don’t completely rule out the idea of a longer wait if it lowers your ticket cost.
9. Use “Hacker Fares” for Multiple One-Way Tickets
Sometimes buying two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip can save you money. Known as “hacker fares,” these tickets are often cheaper because they mix and match different airlines. You may fly out on one airline and return on another.
Kayak and Orbitz are good tools if you want to explore this option. Just remember to make sure the timing on your incoming and outgoing flights works for your schedule.
10. Consider Smaller Regional Airlines
If you’re traveling domestically within the U.S. after landing, smaller regional airlines might offer cheaper flights than the bigger ones. Airlines like Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, or low-cost carriers like Sun Country Airlines and Allegiant Air often provide competitive rates compared to their larger counterparts.
These airlines can be ideal if you’re traveling between less common routes or states where larger airlines don’t operate as much. Check these options before settling for a more expensive carrier.
11. Book on the Right Day
It’s commonly believed that booking on certain days can yield cheaper flights. While the truth on this varies, some travelers have found success booking flights on Tuesdays midday when airlines release deals. You can also try scouting for deals on weekday mornings, as flights tend to fluctuate throughout the day.
Of course, it’s best to track flight prices over time to see patterns that make sense for your specific route. No one approach will work 100% of the time, but playing around with booking days might just save you a few bucks.
12. Avoid Last-Minute Bookings
Many travelers assume that last-minute bookings always lead to deals. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Unless you’re incredibly lucky or using specific “last-minute deal” services, flights booked too close to the departure date are usually more expensive.
Last-minute travel deals tend to be a myth and are not something you can consistently rely on. Make sure to plan ahead!
Final Thoughts
Finding the best flight deals to the United States is all about strategy. Start by looking early, comparing multiple platforms, and staying flexible with dates and airports. Mix in some tricks like setting price alerts, using airline miles, or considering budget carriers, and you’ll increase your chances of scoring a great deal.
Travel stress-free by keeping these tips in mind. A little bit of planning can save you a whole lot of money!
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